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History
Monterey Turns 250 Years Old on June 3, 2020!
Here are a few Monterey "firsts" for California that show just how unique and important Monterey is to California history.
First Mass Performed in California (1602)
First Foreign Ships to Visit Spanish California (1786)
First California Condor Known to Science Described and Observed (1792)
First Building Designed by an Architect in California (Royal Presidio Chapel, 1794)
First Custom House in California (1827 and only Custom House until 1845)
First Printing Press in California (1834)
First French Consulate in California (1843)
First Jury Trial (1846)
First Official Raising of the American Flag (1846)
First American Public Building in California (Colton Hall constructed from 1847 to 1849)
First Theater in California (1846)
California's First Constitution and Constitutional Convention (1849)
California's First Capital (of Spanish province of Alta California, 1770)
California's First Newspaper (The Californian, 1846)
California's First Brick House (1847)
California's First Public Library (Monterey, 1849)
California's First Pre-Fab Framed house (1850)
California's First Marketed Cheese (1859)
Destination of the First Oil Pipeline in California (1904)
First California State Historical Monument (1938)
California’s First Scenic Highway (1965)