47-662: Monterey State Historic Park is a historic state park in Monterey, California . It includes part or all of the Monterey Old Town Historic District , a historic district that includes 17 contributing buildings and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1970. The grounds include California's first theatre, and the Monterey Custom House, where the American flag was first raised over California. The park
94-425: A bas relief depicting the sickly author writing in bed, and is California Historical Landmark #352. The Pacific House was constructed in 1847 during the U.S. occupation of California. This adobe was used by the U.S. Army as storage, a hotel, a court house, a tavern, and in later years as offices. The gardens outside were used for bullfights and bear fights. The Pacific House Museum tells the story of Monterey when it
141-516: A land lease from the U.S. government , while Mackinac National Park was handed down to become the first of the Michigan state parks . As with national parks, facilities at state parks are often leased to concessionaires to operate. Breaks Interstate Park is operated under an interstate compact by Virginia state parks , although it is also one of the Kentucky state parks , straddling both sides of
188-546: A blacking pot and brush for printing. By 1848, the United States Army officers stationed in the Presidio of Monterey, California , including Colonel Jonathan D. Stevenson 's 1st Regiment of New York Volunteers and Lieutenant Alfred Sully , were looking for a place to put on plays and comedies. They organized theatrical productions under the guidance of Actor/Manager Charles E. Bingham. Rebranded as "The Union Theatre for
235-572: A few exceptions such as Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California, and Wood-Tikchik State Park in Alaska, the largest state park in the United States . In addition to preserving natural landscapes and providing recreational opportunities, many state parks also serve as important educational resources . They often offer guided tours, interpretive programs, and exhibits that help visitors learn about
282-505: A gold dust exchange for miners. This building is a California Historical Landmark (#532). The Sherman Quarters were built in 1834 by Thomas Larkin. This small stone building was the quarters for Lieutenant William Tecumseh Sherman in 1847. Sherman later became famous as a Union general during the American Civil War . Later the artist Percy Gray , a California Impressionist, lived there with his new wife from 1923 to 1939. During
329-589: A pattern for the popular "Monterey Colonial" style of architecture. This building is a California Historical Landmark (#106). California's first brick house was built in 1847 by Gallant Dickenson. He was the first person to introduce American building techniques to Monterey's architectural mix. Previously, Spanish and Mexican construction relied on unfired adobe blocks, which required extremely thick walls to support upper stories and plaster coatings to repel water. In contrast brick could make walls that were much thinner yet far more durable. Dickinson planned to make
376-683: A restaurant) for lodging at some parks. These typically use "Resort" in the name, such as "_____ Resort State Park" in West Virginia state parks and "_____ State Resort Park" in neighboring Kentucky state parks , which has 17 such resort parks, the most of any state. Other states use the Resort name inconsistently (like DeGray Lake Resort State Park , the only one out of three resorts in Arkansas state parks ), or have only one such park ( South Carolina state parks ' Hickory Knob State Resort Park ), or do not use
423-553: A sailor, in 1823. He became a merchant and a prominent landowner in Monterey. Cooper's daughter Amelia married Eusebio Joseph Molera in 1875. The adobe house is a leading example of Spanish building style combined with New England architecture. The Cooper-Molera Adobe was featured in Bob Vila 's A&E Network production Guide to Historic Homes of America. In 2015, the exhibits and collections were reassessed in order to better illuminate
470-518: Is a California Historical Landmark (#712). The Casa del Oro—or "House of Gold" in Spanish—is in the Custom House Plaza. Built in 1849 as an army barracks, then as a hospital for sailors run by Thomas Larkin. Later the building was used as general store run by Joseph Boston in the 1850s. The origin of the name could be attributed to a period of time when the building was used as saloon and later as
517-470: Is a group of restored historic buildings. The exhibited houses display the cultural diversity that guided California's transition from a remote Spanish outpost in Las Californias province, to an agricultural Mexican Alta California territory, to U.S. statehood . These influential adobe houses made up California's earliest capital and were the site of the state's first constitutional convention. Today
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#1732880481268564-424: Is the front walkway, which is made up of whale vertebrae, one of several buildings in the area that prominently feature whalebone. The Old Whaling Station is a reminder of the economic activity in California's history. This adobe, California's First Theater , was built by English seaman Jack Swan in 1846-47 as a lodging house and tavern for sailors. He built the wood portion of the building in about 1845. He added
611-615: The American River . Over the subsequent 46 years, the adobe building served various roles, functioning as a lodging house, whaling station (with the addition of a lookout tower in the 1850s), a drug store during the 1870s, gift shop, and ultimately transitioning into a tea room and shop. The smaller structure was inhabited by Fred Smith (1881-1919), who operated a curio shop within its walls for approximately twenty years. The larger adobe building remained vacant, gradually succumbing to deterioration following Swan's death in 1896. In 1905,
658-654: The Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration . First theater in California The First Theater also known as the First theater in California, is a historic adobe and wood building in Monterey, California , United States. It was built in 1846–1847 as a lodging house and tavern for sailors, by English seaman and pioneer Jack Swan. Swan's Saloon staged the inaugural theatrical presentations in California. On January 31, 1934,
705-503: The 1850s, Francis Doud and his family relocated their initial residence to the rear of the land they owned and constructed the larger Doud House, situated at the present-day 117 Van Buren Street. The Doud House stands as one of the best surviving examples of the first residences built following the American occupation, and embodies the characteristics of an early American Period wooden dwelling. The credit for its construction goes to Francis Doud. Historical accounts suggest that Doud initiated
752-694: The Adobes event in December. This building is a California Historical Landmark (#136). In 1879, Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson stayed at the French Hotel at 530 Houston Street, now called the Stevenson House after him and dedicated to his memory. Stevenson lived there while recovering his health as he was crossing the United States to court his future wife Fanny Osbourne . While there, he often dined "on
799-531: The California Historic Landmarks League, a consortium of Monterey residents (including William Randolph Hearst ), acquired the building, subsequently donating it to the State of California in 1906. The state legislature allocated funds for its complete restoration and by 1920, the restoration efforts had concluded, leading to the reopening of the long rectangular adobe as a museum. On display in
846-627: The First Theatre was used as a lodging house for whalers, but fell into disrepair after Swan's death in 1896. It was purchased in 1906 by California Historic Landmarks League and donated to the State of California. In 1937 and until recently, the Troupers of the Gold Coast staged the first melodramas since the 1850s. Because of structural issues, the building is closed to the public except for the Christmas in
893-522: The Iron Son of '76 thereby officially designating Swan's adobe as the "First Theater in California." Between 1848 and 1850, a span of twenty-one months saw the production of various plays, including Box and Cox , Damon and Pythias , and the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet . From 1850 to 1896, Swan leased out his adobe and embarked on a pursuit of gold in the Sierra Nevada , prospecting along
940-753: The Troupers of the Gold Coast's residency. They staged the melodrama, In the Shadow of the Rockies, which achieved tremendous success. From 1937 until 1999, the Troupers of the Gold Coast rejuvenated the theater's original melodramas, resurrecting performances from the 1850s. On May 31, 1947, marking its tenth anniversary, the following passage appeared in The Herald: "Being the sole 'legitimate' theater offering year-round weekend presentations of classic melodramas between San Francisco and Santa Barbara, its one-of-a-kind history and uproarious entertainment draw visitors from along
987-878: The administration of the government of each U.S. state , some of the Mexican states , and in Brazil . The term is also used in the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales . The equivalent term used in Canada, Argentina, South Africa, and Belgium, is provincial park . Similar systems of local government maintained parks exist in other countries, but the terminology varies. State parks are thus similar to national parks , but under state rather than federal administration. Similarly, local government entities below state level may maintain parks, e.g., regional parks or county parks . In general, state parks are smaller than national parks, with
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#17328804812681034-431: The adobe portion in 1847, as the actual theater. It was used as a theatre in 1850 when U.S. Army officers stationed in Monterey, i.e., Lt. Alfred Sully, and others, produced plays under the direction of Actor/Manager Charles Bingham, and named it "The Union Theatre for the production of Melodramas". Swan built a small stage and provided benches, whale-oil lamps, candles for footlights and blankets as curtains. In later years,
1081-705: The building process for the current residence on the land he had been residing on since 1852, during the latter part of the 1860s. The property's title was officially cleared on October 10, 1868. Its historical significance was officially acknowledged in 1917, when it was featured in the California Historical Landmarks in Monterey County. The gardens surrounding the house were dedicated as the Carmel Martin Memorial Garden in 1973. The Monterey History & Art Association took possession of
1128-503: The building was officially designated a California Historical Landmark #136. The First Theater was built by English mariner Jack Swan (see below) during 1845–47, when he purchased a plot of land on the old Calle Estrada, now the southwest corner of Pacific and Scott Streets, near the Custom House . This was before the American occupation in July 1846. The building was developed in two stages:
1175-519: The challenge and chose an 1880s melodrama titled Tatters, the Pet of Squatter's Gulch, which became the first performance within the historic adobe after a hiatus of more than 75 years. On September 3, 1937, Denny-Watrous Management obtained a lease for the building, sponsored by the Monterey History and Art Association, with the purpose of hosting theatrical performances, which marked the commencement of
1222-675: The country's state parks. The NASPD further counts over 43,000 miles (69,000 km) of trail, 217,367 campsites, and 8,277 cabins and lodges across U.S. state parks. The largest state park system in the United States is Alaska State Parks , with over 100 sites encompassing 3.3 million acres. Many states include designations beyond "state park" in their state parks systems. Other designations might be state recreation areas , state beaches, and state nature reserves . Some state park systems include long-distance trails and historic sites . To encourage tourism in rural areas, several states have simple lodges, inns, hotels, or motels (usually with
1269-570: The cuff," as he said, at a nearby restaurant run by Frenchman Jules Simoneau which stood at what is now Simoneau Plaza. Several years later, Stevenson sent Simoneau an inscribed copy of his novel Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886), writing that it would be a stranger case still if Robert Louis Stevenson ever forgot Jules Simoneau. Stevenson wrote some articles for the local Monterey newspaper, including one that beautifully evoked "the Old Pacific Capital." The Stevenson House features
1316-474: The designation at all (such as the lodges of Georgia state parks ). The term "lodge" may also refer to a hiking lodge , essentially a large cabin for hikers rather than a large facility with private rooms and a restaurant. Other lodging may include yurts and tipis . Not all parks owned by a state are necessarily part of its state-park system, such as Stone Mountain Park near Atlanta. Some Texas state parks are
1363-409: The entire coastline." As of 1965, presentations were still taking place at California's inaugural theater. The Troupers of the Gold Coast maintained the tradition for over 50 years, closing for renovation in 1999. The Monterey State Historic Park Association (MSHPA) is currently actively engaged in extensive repair efforts. In the near future, the building is set to welcome both special events and
1410-523: The historic buildings retain their rich heritage, preserving an important part of Californian as well as Spanish, Mexican, and American history. Added to the adobe houses is the park's Interpretive Center and the Pacific House Museum. The Custom House, built around 1821 by the Mexican government, is California's first historic landmark and its oldest public building. It is where the first American Flag
1457-474: The house bigger, but left for the California gold fields with only the extant structure completed. It later housed a restaurant. In 1849, the California constitution was drafted in both English and Spanish in this building. In 1850 California became the thirty-first state of America. San Jose was then elected as the seat of California state government, ending Monterey's years as California's capital. (The state's capital changed several times, and Sacramento finally
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1504-460: The house in the 1920s and 1930s. The house contains furnishings that are a blend of early New England and China trade pieces mixed in with modern Mexican folk art. Casa Soberanes received its nickname—The House of the Blue Gate—from the blue gate at its garden entrance on Pacific Street. Wine bottles, whale bones, and abalone shells border paths meandering through the sheltered garden. This building
1551-593: The lives of the family who lived there. Through the historical collections inventory, the Cooper-Molera Adobe's holdings were identified and grouped in various categories. This process illuminated two activities that were of particular interest to the family: animal husbandry and farming (specifically artichoke growing). The Larkin House, itself designated a National Historic Landmark , combined Spanish building methods with New England architectural features. This created
1598-484: The local flora , fauna , geology , and cultural history of the area. These programs are designed not only to enhance the visitor experience but also to promote conservation awareness and encourage responsible enjoyment of natural resources. There are 6,792 state park units in the United States, according to the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD). There are some 813 million annual visits to
1645-417: The local community. Stretching to 75 ft (23 m) in length and 12 ft (3.7 m) feet in width, this space could comfortably accommodate two hundred people. It featured a pit and a stage as well. A curtain made of wood, suspended on hinges, functioned as a partition that could be raised and lowered. The programs for the entertainments were handwritten, while the bills and posters were produced using
1692-510: The museum were articles, including some that were over two hundred and fifty years old. An additional room was used as a tea-serving area. On January 31, 1934, the State Department of Parks and Recreation & City of Monterey declared the building a California Historical Landmark #136. On June 3, 1937, the theater resumed its activities under the stewardship of Denny-Watrous Management from Carmel-by-the-Sea, California . They embraced
1739-414: The production of Melodramas," Swan fitted the establishment with a modest stage, benches for seating, whale-oil lamps, footlight candles, and makeshift curtains for the shows, priced at $ 5 (equivalent to $ 183 in 2023) per ticket. The venture garnered $ 500 (equivalent to $ 18,312 in 2023) during its inaugural show. The troupe members delivered California's first paid performance, presenting Putnam,
1786-427: The property in 1969 and embarked on an extensive restoration effort. State park State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the sub-national level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational potential. There are state parks under
1833-589: The public, specifically for the "Christmas in the Adobes" festivities. On August 31, 2024, a public event was held to celebrate the reopening of the theater. The Online Archive of California contains the collection known as the Guide to the California First Theater Collection. The collection titled California First Theater Collection encompasses a range of documents, artifacts, and mementos associated with California's oldest theater venue. Most of
1880-494: The smaller wooden portion was erected around 1845, using lumber salvaged from a shipwreck, serving initially as both a boarding house and a tavern catering to traveling sailors coming to shore from Monterey Bay . There were four sets of two-room units, each equipped with exterior doors on the east and west sides, as well as a fireplace in the rear room. These units were divided by partitions that could be raised or lowered. Subsequently, this establishment, along with other saloons,
1927-469: The state line. Other multi-state parks are legally two separate parks with the same name and more informal cooperation between them. The title of oldest state park in the United States is claimed by Niagara Falls State Park in New York , established in 1885. Several public parks previously or currently maintained at the state level pre-date it. Indian Springs State Park has been operated continuously by
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1974-454: The state of Georgia as a public park since 1825, although it did not gain the title "State Park" until 1931. In 1864 Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove were ceded by the federal government to California until Yosemite National Park was proclaimed in 1890. In 1878 Wisconsin set aside a vast swath of its northern forests as "The State Park" but, needing money, sold most of it to lumber companies within 20 years. Mackinac National Park
2021-576: Was chosen in 1854.) Reenactments of the state constitutional convention are held every year in Colton Hall during History Week. This building is a California Historical Landmark (#126). The Old Whaling Station was built as a private home in 1847, but in 1855 became the headquarters and employee housing for the Old Monterey Whaling Company. This building was used to support the shore whaling operations. The unique feature of this establishment
2068-422: Was closed down under the directive of Rev. Walter Colton , the American authority serving as Monterey's Alcalde (mayor). The larger rectangular adobe building was added, by Swan, in the autumn of 1847 to function as a boarding house for sailors but was converted into a theater. This change occurred when four soldiers from Santa Barbara organized a minstrel show, collaborating with three resident comedians from
2115-468: Was established in 1875 as the second U.S. national park before being converted to a state park in 1895. The first state park with the designation of "state park" was Itasca State Park in Minnesota , established in 1891. Many state park systems date to the 1930s, when around 800 state parks (and several national ones) across the country were developed with assistance from federal job-creation programs like
2162-538: Was raised on July 7, 1846, declaring California part of the United States. It is a National Historic Landmark (#66000217). It is also a California Historical Landmark (#1). The Cooper-Molera is no longer a part of the Monterey State Historic Park. The property is owned and managed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Cooper-Molera Adobe was built by John Bautista Rogers Cooper ,
2209-661: Was the capital of Spanish and Mexican California, and also contains the Monterey Museum of the American Indian. This building is a California Historical Landmark (#354). Rafael Estrada constructed the Casa Soberanes, an adobe brick home on a hillside overlooking the bay, during the 1840s. His family lived there until it was sold to the Soberanes family in 1860, who lived there until 1922. The Serranos later purchased and restored
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