Old Customhouse - Monterey, CA
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Metro2
N 36° 36.207 W 121° 53.611
10S E 598960 N 4051453
The Old Customhouse was the first site to be designated a California State Historical Landmark.
Waymark Code: WMRKDB
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 07/03/2016
Views: 1
Wikipedia (
visit link) informs us:
"The Old Customhouse is a Spanish Colonial style adobe structure built around 1827 by the Mexican government in the Pueblo de Monterey, Alta California, in present day Monterey County in the U.S. state of California.[4][5] The Customhouse is the state's first designated California Historical Landmark, marking the site where U.S. Commodore John Drake Sloat raised the American flag and declared California part of the United States in 1846.
History
In 1821 New Spain—Mexico won independence from Spain, in the Mexican War of Independence, and for nearly 25 years Monterey was in the Mexican Territory of Alta California. Under Mexican rule the trade restrictions were lifted and coastal ports were opened to foreign trade. This drew in trade from British, American, and South American traders.
To collect customs duties (tax monies) at the Monterey Bay port, the Mexican government built the Customhouse, making it the oldest government building in present day California. On July 7, 1846, during the Mexican-American war, Commodore John Drake Sloat raised the American Flag, declaring California part of the United States.
Landmark
The Monterey Customs House was a landmark that the Native Sons of the Golden West determined should not disappear if within their power to prevent it. The property belonged to the United States Government, but the Native Sons of the Golden West obtained a lease of the buildings and grounds and restored them in the early 1900s. The lease was ultimately transferred to a State Commission appointed under a legislative act passed in 1901 which act also carried an appropriation for further restoration of the building. The Customhouse became the first California Historical Landmark on June 1, 1932, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960. It is part of the larger Monterey State Historic Park, itself a National Historic Landmark District along with the nearby Larkin House."
and this website (
visit link) informs us:
"Monterey Custom House, the state's oldest government building (1821) is now part of Monterey State Historic Park. A multitude of spirits linger at the spot where depleted and often diseased sailors from around the world found refuge after the punishing journey around Cape Horn, including a Mexican man and boy murdered in the building and all manner of souls who perished thousands of miles from home."
This website verifies that information (
visit link) with
"Monterey Custom House
The state's oldest government building was constructed in 1821 and is now part of Monterey State Historic Park. Spirits linger at the spot where depleted sailors from around the world found refuge after the punishing journey around Cape Horn. Ghosts include a Mexican man and boy who were murdered in the building, as well as sailors who perished thousands of miles from home.