Old Customhouse (Monterey, California)

 museum, customs house / area / checkpoint, NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, historic landmark, U.S. National Historic Landmark

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The Old Customhouse is an adobe structure built around 1827 by the Mexican government, is California's first historic landmark. In 1821 Mexico obtained independence from Spain and for nearly 25 years the Mexican flag flew over Monterey. Under Mexican rule the trade restrictions were lifted and coastal parts were opened to foreign trade. This drew in trade from British, American, and South American traders. To collect custom duties (tax monies), the Mexican government built the Customhouse, making it the oldest government building in California. On July 7, 1846, during the Mexican-American war, Commodore John Drake Sloat raised the American Flag, making California part of the United States.

(831) 649-7118

www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=954
www.historicmonterey.org/?p=custom_house