FIRST - Newspaper in California
N 36° 35.818 W 121° 53.660
10S E 598896 N 4050733
The Californian, Californias first newspaper was launched in Monterey only 20 days after the United States took control over California.
Waymark Code: WMDXW
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 05/31/2006
Views: 19
Walter Colton, naval chaplain since 1831 stayed in Monterey only for three years, but definitely left a mark. He arrived on July 15, 1846 aboard the Congress, one of Commodore Sloat's vessels. Soon after, on August 15, he launched California's first newspaper, "The Californian" together with Dr. Robert Semple, a frontiersman from Kentucky. The newspaper was produced in California’s first Capitol (
visit link) called "El Cuartel.” Colton was later appointed Monterey's first Alcade (a combination of Mayor, Sheriff Chief Judge.) In this position, he initiated the building of a public school and town meeting hall which was completed in 1849 and is now Colton Hall (
visit link) Colton returned to the East Coast in 1849. His book "Three Years in California", published in 1850 is an excellent historical account of his time in Monterey.
This site is part of Monterey State Historic Park. check out my website (
visit link)
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