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Review: Monterey: Presidio, Pueblo y Puerto (The Making of America series)

From its opening pages, Jim Conway’s Monterey: Presidio, Pueblo, and Port demonstrates an impeccable scholarship of the subject area that will undoubtedly prove to be an important contribution to our understanding of the history of Monterey, California.

According to Conway, the history of Monterrey is more than a mere categorization of its history into four periods: indigenous, Spanish, Californian, and American, but this picturesque coastal community developed as a result of its cultures derived from native peoples to its current inhabitants. . .

Today, people come to Monterey to vacation and experience the splendor of its natural surroundings. Conway explores how Monterey has reached this gap in its history as it grew from Presidio to Pueblo and then to Puerto. It is a story that comes from real people and places where cultural conflict and historical tolerance played an important role.

The book is organized in a concrete and logical way with the first chapter focusing on the natural history of Monterey and its original inhabitants, the Rumsien Oholone. According to Conway, “To understand Monterey it is important to start with its natural history, because no matter what man has striven to achieve, it is weather patterns and topography that ultimately shaped Monterey.” Monterey natives were the most dependent on native trees, grasses, and plants in their daily lives, as well as seasonal changes. As noted, O’chons was the word for “sowing times,” and these Native Americans measured time not by a calendar but by the natural events that made up their seasons, as they were considered part of nature.

Not much is known about these Native Americans, as their story was told by Euro-Americans, and as many of us know, historians have constantly debated among themselves how to differentiate past “facts” and “objective truth.” Although the Spanish were the first to keep written records of the natives, unfortunately, there seems to be an absence of the stories and interpretations of the losers in battle: the natives themselves.

From this interesting opening chapter, Conway proceeds to explore the contributions of the Spanish colonists and missionaries, however, as he points out, prior to the arrival of these individuals, Monterey Bay was visited and promoted by Spanish explorers and fortune seekers. . You are given a lot of ink on who these adventurers were and the role they played in the history of Monterrey. Such an important figure that we read about is that of Rodríguez Cabrillo and his expedition in 1542 and, as we are informed, it was his expedition that helped identify and map the California coastline. Furthermore, his discovery of the San Diego and Monterey bays brought with it further exploration, which eventually led to the first European settlements in Alta California.

These first European settlers were soldiers and missionaries who had arrived with Gaspar de Portola and Father Junípero Serra, whose main objective was to protect the political interests of Spain. As Conway affirms, the objectives of Spain were three: protection against foreign invasion; the commercial development of Alta California as an economic resource; and the Christianization of the “pagans” or natives. All of these objectives led to the construction of the presidio and a mission, although as mentioned, Monterey did not obtain town status until 1795. Monterey was designated a port of entry on December 15, 1821, and this changed it from an outpost. Spanish to an international port. It should be noted that for several years prior to this designation, Spanish law prohibited foreign ships from entering its ports, although smugglers often ignored the law.

Conway explores in depth the Mexican period of 1822-1846 and the Town of Monterey, which was designated the official port of entry for Mexican California in 1831. As the author states: Monterey was not only the commercial center of Mexican California, but the political center as well.

The remainder of the book provides a complete description of the American period beginning with pre-state and ending with the current community. We are shown how various groups such as the Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, as well as the Spanish and Mexicans have contributed to the remarkable history of Monterrey. How the fishing industry and canneries played a huge role in shaping this picturesque port city. And not to be overlooked is Monterey’s military heritage which even today contributes so much to its community. As for tourism, arguably Monterey’s first grand lady hotel, the Hotel Del Monte can never be forgotten, as its influence can still be felt today.

History should not be simply a regurgitation of past events with dates and names with very little explanation, omitting stories and anecdotes. Conway must have taken this into account, since his objectivity as a historian is quite evident. He presents the history of Monterrey not only through his own perspective, but rather through the eyes of the people and the environment they inhabited. It’s this presentation that makes Monterey: Presidio, Pueblo y Puerto a book you’ll want to have on your shelf.

Author: JD Conway

Publisher: Arcadia Publishing

ISBN: 0738524239

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