Old Custom House (Monterey, California) facts for kids
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Old Custom House
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 Location in Monterey Peninsula
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| Location | Monterey, California |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1827 |
| Architectural style | Spanish Colonial Adobe |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000217 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 19, 1960 |
The Old Custom House is a historic building in Monterey, California. It is famous for being the oldest government building still standing in California. It was built in 1827 when the area was part of Mexico.
This building is a very important landmark. It is where U.S. Commodore John Drake Sloat raised the American flag in 1846. This act declared that California was now part of the United States. Because of its importance, the Old Custom House was the very first place to be named a California Historical Landmark.
Contents
History of the Building
A Mexican Trading Post
In 1821, Mexico won its independence from Spain. For the next 25 years, Monterey was the capital of a Mexican territory called Alta California.
Under Mexican rule, California's ports were opened to international trade for the first time. Ships from the United States, Great Britain, and South America began to visit. To manage this new trade, the Mexican government needed a place to collect taxes on goods coming into the port of Monterey Bay. These taxes are called customs duties.
So, they built the Custom House. Its job was to be the official point for collecting taxes from trading ships. This makes it the oldest government building in the state of California today.
The American Flag is Raised
The Mexican–American War began in 1846. On July 7 of that year, an important event happened at the Custom House. An American naval officer, Commodore John Drake Sloat, arrived in Monterey.
He and his sailors went to the Custom House and raised the American flag. This was a symbolic act that claimed California for the United States. This event was a key moment in the American Conquest of California.
Saving a Historic Landmark
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By the early 1900s, the Old Custom House was in need of repair. A group called the Native Sons of the Golden West decided it was too important to be lost. The building was owned by the U.S. government, but the group leased it to fix it up.
Later, the state of California took over. In 1901, a special commission was created to continue restoring the building.
On June 1, 1932, the Custom House was officially named the first California Historical Landmark. In 1960, it also became a National Historic Landmark, recognizing its importance to the entire country. Today, it is a key part of the Monterey State Historic Park.
See also
- List of the oldest buildings in California
- California hide trade
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Monterey County, California
