Being a part of one of the most historic cities in the western United States, we have a keen awareness of our responsibility to preserve Monterey’s past.
The City already owns one of Monterey’s largest collections of historic buildings, and we continue to look for new opportunities to be good stewards of our rich history. For example, Monterey was the Spanish and Mexican capital of California from 1776 to 1849 and was the sole port for international trade for many years during that time. Our City was also the site of the California Constitutional Convention and on October 13, 1849 the delegates signed the Constitution in our very own Colton Hall.
Since the early part of the 20th century, Monterey citizens have strongly supported historic preservation, beginning with the preservation of the Custom House and Colton Hall. Monterey has preserved more original Mexican era adobes than any other city in California.
Our downtown is a National Historic Landmark District, the highest level of national recognition. In addition, there are two National Register Historic Districts on the Presidio of Monterey, 32 buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and 46 Monterey historic buildings and the drawings are filed in the National Archives, Washington, D.C.
To help guide and encourage historic preservation efforts in Monterey, the City has completed a Historic Master Plan, and a Historic Ordinance. In addition, the City is surveying areas of the City for historic buildings that are potentially eligible for historic designation.