Colton Hall is a government building and museum in Monterey, California, United States. It was built in 1847-49 by Walter Colton, who arrived in Monterey as the chaplain on Commodore Robert F. Stockton's vessel. He remained and was named as Monterey's first alcalde (mayor) in the American Period. Colton Hall originally contained rooms downstairs for a public school and government assembly hall upstairs. It was the site of California's first constitutional convention in 1849.
Colton Hall from the east-southeast
This is the inside room where the discussions and signing happened
Colton Hall seating area with fireplace
Papers representing notes and letters that would have been used during discussions
Monterey is a city in Monterey County on the southern edge of Monterey Bay on the U.S. state of California's Central Coast. Founded on June 3, 1770, it functioned as the capital of Alta California under both Spain (1804–1821) and Mexico (1822–1846). During this period, Monterey hosted California's first theater, public building, public library, publicly funded school, printing press, and newspaper. It was originally the only port of entry for all taxable goods in California. In 1846, during the Mexican–American War of 1846–1848, the United States Flag was raised over the Customs House. After Mexico ceded California to the U.S. at the end of the war, Monterey hosted California's first constitutional convention in 1849.
Image: Aerial view Monterey CA (cropped)
Image: Santa Catalina School, Monterey, CA (cropped)
Image: Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo (cropped)
Image: Herrmann Hall Naval Postgraduate School DSC06807 (cropped)
