Spanish Presidio - Monterey, California
Posted by: hotshoe
N 36° 35.735 W 121° 53.510
10S E 599122 N 4050581
Site of the original Presidio (fort) of Spanish colonial Monterey
Waymark Code: WM60AE
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 03/10/2009
Views: 3
"The Royal Presidio of San Carlos de Monterey is one of four presidios or military forts designed by engineer Miguel Costansó along the California coast."
"The Presidio of Monterey was founded on June 3, 1770, by Fray Junípero Serra, Gaspar de Portolá, Fray Juan Crespi, Lt. Pedro Fages, six Catalonian Volunteers, four cuera soldiers, and men from the ship San Antonio."
"On June 4, 1770, Costansó surveyed a level spot directly in front of the ship and perhaps two gunshots from the beach, near "an inlet which communicated with the bay at high water" (Lake El Estero). The site is approximately bounded by Webster and Fremont streets between Camino El Estero and Abrego Street."
(
visit link)
Nothing is left of the walls of the original Presidio except the portion which backed the Cathedral (Royal Presidio Chapel). There are signs marking their former locations. Text of the western sign:
"Approximate location of the
West wall of the Presidio of
Monterey which was
established in 1770 to protect
the Spanish settlers."