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 Monterey Path of History - Monterey, California Posted by:  Touchstone
N 36° 36.148 W 121° 53.638
10S E 598922 N 4051343
Some of the oldest and most significant buildings in California can be seen along the Self Guided Monterey Path of History.
Waymark Code: WM5XK8
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 02/25/2009
Views: 12
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The coordinates at the top of
the page will put you in front of the Pacific House, which was built in
1835 for the purposes of lodging and a saloon in this rough and ready
seaport town. The Pacific House today, is a wonderful museum that
takes the visitor through the various historical events of Monterey and
California. A Self Guided Map is usually available at this location,
or you can plan ahead and download the map from the county website HERE.
The Path winds its way through Monterey on various back streets and
*secret* passages, always following the yellow markers imbedded in the
pavement that appear at frequent intervals.
Monterey’s
Heritage
Once the Spanish capitol of old California and the Sardine capital of the
world, Monterey's architectural heritage is well represented. You can see
all the adobes just by using the map on the left. Most of the adobes are
staffed by a State Parks rangers some adobes are private property. The
Path of History walking tour is conducted by California State Park guides
that take groups on the walking tours
Monterey
County Website
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The entire Path of History is a
fairly grueling 4.5 miles long, and most visitors seldom make it out of
the Custom House Plaza where the Pacific House is located.
Nonetheless, some real gems are not to be missed. I'll mention a
couple of my favorites below. Since this is in the middle of
Monterey, there are many places to eat and rest along the way, or you can
do as most people do, and drive between the various locations and explore
one or two historic sites at a time.
A
number of adobes have restroom facilities (Pacific House, Stevenson House,
Colton Hall and Maritime Museum). Many of the adobes are occupied by
businesses, you will be able to walk through portions of the state owned
abobe houses and gardens without paying an entrance fee.
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Besides the Pacific House, the immediate vicinity also has the historic
Custom House, which is usually the second or third stop (depending if you
want to take in the free Maritime Museum).
At one time, the Custom House presided over Mexico's primary
port of entry on the Alta California coast. It was here that
Commodore John Drake Sloat raised the American flag in July 1846,
claiming over 600,000 square miles of territory for the United States.
This territory later was included in all or portions of the states of
Utah, Colorado, Arizona, California and New Mexico. A bit further up
from the Plaza is the First Brick House and the Old Whaling Station with
its secret garden and entrance way paved in whale bones.
California State Parks
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No stop along the Path would be
complete without a visit to Colton Hall.
Colton Hall was built in the 1840s by, and
named for, the Reverend Walter Colton who came to Monterey as a chaplain
on Commodore Stockton's vessel and remained to become Monterey's first
alcalde (mayor) in the American Period. Scroll down to read Colton's own
description of the building.Colton Hall had its greatest moment of glory
when the 48 delegates to California's Constitutional Convention met in the
second floor assembly hall in 1849.
The City of Monterey
expertly restored the building 100 years later; the meeting room is
preserved as it looked during those six weeks in September and October,
1849. Thanks to their deliberations, California entered the Union as the
31st state in 1850.
Historic
Monterey Website |
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Last but
not least would be the historic and recently restored Royal Presidio
Chapel and the nearby Stevenson House.
Located
on Church Street. Built in circa 1770 by Father Junipero Serra and Don
Gasper de Portola. The church is located in the old Presido site and is
the last surviving portion of the Church of San Carlos de Borromeo de
Monterey. In 1789 the church suffered extensive fire damage and was
rebuilt and dedicated in 1795.
Located
on Houston Street between Pearl and Webster Streets. Known as the French
Hotel, Robert Louis Stevenson lived in the hotel for several months in a
visit to Monterey in 1879.
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Fee?: 0.00 (listed in local currency)
Approximate Time to Finish: >2 hours
Addtional Website URL: [Web Link]
Brochure or Interpretive Signs: Brochure
Rate the Walk: 
Wherigo Cartridge: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
A picture at the start of the Trail or Walk is greatly appreciated. Additional photos taken during the course of the walk would also be of great benefit.
If there does not appear to be a defined beginning to the trail or walk, pick a logical place (e.g. close to parking) or where information about the walk or trail can be gathered.
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