Several different countries’ flags have flown over this region of California. We will attempt to give you a brief rundown of this rather lengthy history in this article.
It’s not a surprise that the earliest human inhabitants of the Monterey lived off the sea. The Ohlone tribe ate mussels and abalone, but they also hunted and gathered as well.
The first Spanish explorer to receive credit as the first European to arrive at the bay was Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo. He visited in 1542.
Not much is heard about the area again until 1602. It was then that Sebastián Vizcaíno came from Spain and described the area as a great port. He named the port “Monte Rey Bay” to honor the Spanish leader who had organized the expedition to the New World.
It wasn’t until 1769 that another Spanish explorer returned to the area. This explorer, Gaspar de Portola, built a Presidio of Monterey to defend the region, and then a Spanish Franciscan Friar joined him to found a Cathedral. At this point, the area was known as Monterey. Only San Diego can claim an older founding date in California.
In 1777, Monterey became the capital of the Province of Both Californias. The Cathedral, which was destroyed by a fire in 1789, was replaced by 1794. This means that the Monterey Cathedral is the oldest, continuously operating church in California.
Another notable old structure in Monterey is the Custom House. It was built in three phases and first being completed in 1814. The Custom House was used to check and tax all shipments coming into California.
By 1814, the Spanish flag had flown over the area. For six days in 1818, the Argentinian flag flew. A small Argentinian army overtook the Presidio. This claim did not last long.
In 1821, Mexico gained independence from Spain. This meant that the new Mexican government now governed the region that was under Spanish rule.
The Mexican flag flew over the area until the Battle of Monterey during the Mexican-American War. During this fight, the U.S. flag was raised over the Custom House, and California was claimed for the United States.
The Monterey area, as well as the entire region of California, grew in population during the next era. And Monterey lead the way. The city claimed the first library, theater, public school, printing press, and newspaper for the growing region.
It was in Monterey that the documents to apply for statehood were first written. California became a state in September of 1850, and Monterey was finally incorporated in 1890.
This thriving area was the heart of the sardine canning industry. This form of income dried up during the 1950s due to overfishing. American writer John Steinbeck wrote about the area in his acclaimed novel, Cannery Row.
Now, the defunct fishing location serves as a tourist destination. Visitors also come to check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is located on Cannery Row.
The area of Monterey has flown the flag of Spain, Argentina, Mexico, and the United States.
