Chapter 3: Human Activity - Settlement

BRIEF SETTLEMENT HISTORY
Monterey County was founded in 1850, the same year California was, making it one of California's original colonies.

Mission San Carlos de Borromeo

The county's name comes from Monterey Bay, which was discovered and named by Spanish merchant Sebastian Vizcaino in 1602, when he was searching for a port along the California coast. The Portola expedition of June 3, 1770 took possession of Monterey and dedicated the Presidio de Monterey and the Mission San Carlos de Borromeo. In fact, 4 of the 21 California Missions were located in Old Monterey County. Indians were taught skills in the Missions by priests, though more often than not they were also mistreated. Many of the traded goods needed for commerce in early California were made in Missions as well. The Spanish rule ended in April 1822 as the Mission military and priests pledged allegiance to Mexico. In 1836, during the Mexican rule, Monterey became the capital of California.

Monterey County During Mexican Rule

The Mexican rule became weak quickly because of turmoil, political rivalries, and landowner squabbles. Still, a few American merchants and traders were able to thrive in the Mexican economy. In 1845, President James Polk assigned Thomas Oliver Larkin to bring peaceful annexation in order to stop British control of California. In March 1846, John Charles Fremont headed a party that took position in Salinas Valley. In July 1846, Commodore John D. Sloat went to Monterey Bay and took possession of the capital of California, declaring that "henceforward California will be a portion of the United States."

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