Custom House

The Native Sons of the Golden West fixed the tablet on the back wall in 1905, and it remembers a single morning: July 7, 1846, when Commodore Sloat's sailors and marines took the undefended port in the war with Mexico and raised the American flag. The building's working life is on the two later bronzes. Every foreign merchant ship had to clear its cargo here before it could trade along the coast, and the duties collected in these rooms were Mexican California's main revenue. The flagstaff site and the landing spot each carry a plaque of their own nearby.

What the plaque says

Monterey Custom House It was over this building that the American flag was raised by Commodore John Drake Sloat, July 7, 1846. Signalizing the passing of California from Mexican rule. Restored through the efforts of the Native Sons of the Golden West with the assistance of the people of California Monterey Customhouse Constructed by the Mexican government during 1827 and 1841 to collect customs duties from foreign shipping when Monterey was the capital of this northern province, and customs duties were Alta California's principal source of revenue. United States Customhouse from 1848 until 1867. This plaque is dedicated to all the customs officers who have served in this building, and in honor and recognition of the U.S. Customs Service bicentennial. Presented by Quintin L. Villanueva, Jr. Regional Commissioner U.S. Customs Service Pacific Region August 18, 1988 Custom House Constructed in 1827 by the Mexican government to collect custom duties from foreign shipping, a principal revenue source when Monterey was the capital of Alta California, Mexico's northernmost province. Thomas O. Larkin, US consul to Alta California, contracted with the Mexican government in 1841 to rebuild and enlarge the Custom House. Commodore John Drake Sloat raised the American flag over this building on July 7, 1846 to signal the passing of California from Mexican to American rule. Restored through the efforts of the Native Sons of the Golden West with the assistance of the people of California. State Registered Historical Landmark No. 1 Registered June 1, 1932 National Historic Landmark designated 1960 Plaque placed by the Native Sons of the Golden West,the California State Parks Foundation, and California State Parks Rededicated 2014, the 150th anniversary of California State Parks

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Old Pacific House — steps away
• Casa de Oro — steps away
• First Theater in California — steps away
• Soberanes Adobe — steps away