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Old Custom House (Monterey, California): Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 36°36′11.7″N 121°53′36.8″W / 36.603250°N 121.893556°W / 36.603250; -121.893556
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The '''Old Customhouse''' is a [[Spanish Colonial architecture|Spanish Colonial]] style [[adobe]] structure built around 1827 by the Mexican government in the [[Monterey, California|Pueblo de Monterrey]], [[Alta California]], in present-day [[Monterey County, California|Monterey County]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[California]].<ref name = nrhpinv>{{Cite web
The '''Old Customhouse''' is the oldest surviving government building in [[California]], built in 1827 by Mexican authorities in [[Monterey, California|Monterey]], then the capital of [[Alta California]].<ref name = nrhpinv>{{Cite web
| author= James Dillon | title = Old Custom House | work = National Register of Historic Places - Nomination and Inventory | publisher = [[National Park Service]] | date = April 26, 1976 | url = {{NHLS url|id=66000217}} | format = pdf| accessdate = 25 May 2012}}</ref><ref name = nrhpphotos>{{Cite web | title = Old Custom House | work = Photographs | publisher = [[National Park Service]] |author= James Dillon
| author= James Dillon | title = Old Custom House | work = National Register of Historic Places - Nomination and Inventory | publisher = [[National Park Service]] | date = April 26, 1976 | url = {{NHLS url|id=66000217}} | format = pdf| accessdate = 25 May 2012}}</ref><ref name = nrhpphotos>{{Cite web | title = Old Custom House | work = Photographs | publisher = [[National Park Service]] |author= James Dillon
| url = {{NHLS url|id=66000217|photos=y}} | format = pdf | accessdate = May 18, 2013 }}</ref> The former [[custom house]] (''Aduana'' in Spanish) 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.<ref name=CHL>{{cite ohp|1|Custom house | May 18, 2013 }}</ref>
| url = {{NHLS url|id=66000217|photos=y}} | format = pdf | accessdate = May 18, 2013 }}</ref> The former [[custom house]] (''Aduana'' in Spanish) 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.<ref name=CHL>{{cite ohp|1|Custom house | May 18, 2013 }}</ref>

Revision as of 21:15, 1 August 2021

Old Customhouse
The Old Monterey Customhouse
Old Custom House (Monterey, California) is located in Monterey Peninsula
Old Custom House (Monterey, California)
Location in the Monterey Peninsula
LocationCalle Principal, Monterey, California
Coordinates36°36′11.7″N 121°53′36.8″W / 36.603250°N 121.893556°W / 36.603250; -121.893556
Area2 acres (0.81 ha)
Built1827
ArchitectThomas O. Larkin
Architectural styleSpanish Colonial Adobe
NRHP reference No.66000217[1]
CHISL No.1[2]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPOctober 15, 1966
Designated NHLDecember 19, 1960[3]
Designated CHISLJune 1, 1932

The Old Customhouse is the oldest surviving government building in California, built in 1827 by Mexican authorities in Monterey, then the capital of Alta California.[4][5] The former custom house (Aduana in Spanish) 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.[2]

History

The Old Custom House in Monterey, California in 1936

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 Customhouse 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 obtained a lease of the buildings and grounds and restored them in the early 1900s.[6] 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.

Photo of a plaque mounted on rock. The plaque reads: Custom House Constructed in 1827 by the Mexican government to collect custom duties from foreign shipping, a principle revenue source when Monterey was the capital of Alta California, Mexico's northernmost province. Thomas O. Larkin, US consul to Alta California, contracted with the Mexican government in 1841 to rebuild and enlarge the Custom House. Commodore John Drake Sloat raised the American flag over this building on July 7, 1846 to signal the passing of California from Mexican to American rule. Restored through the efforts of the Native Sons of the Golden West with the assistance of the people of California. State Registered Historical Landmark No. 1 Registered June 1, 1932 National Historic Landmark designated 1960 Plaque placed by the Native Sons of the Golden West, the California State Parks Foundation, and California State Parks Rededicated 2014, the 150th anniversary of California State Parks
The Custom House's historical landmark plaque

The Customhouse became the first California Historical Landmark on June 1, 1932,[2] 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.

See also

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c "Custom house". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  3. ^ NHL Summary
  4. ^ James Dillon (April 26, 1976). "Old Custom House" (pdf). National Register of Historic Places - Nomination and Inventory. National Park Service. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  5. ^ James Dillon. "Old Custom House" (pdf). Photographs. National Park Service. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  6. ^ "Monterey's Custom House". Monterey County Historical Society. 2010. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
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