Monterey State Historic Park - Path of History-Part 10

Casa Amesti, Casa Alvarado, Cooper-Molera Adobe,
El Cuartel Site & Casa Munras

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Stokes Adobe	Gabriel de la Torre Adobe	Fremont Adobe

Walking down Polk Street, Casa Amesti is to your left and Casa Alvarado is at the end of Polk and at the beginning of Alvarado Street.

Casa Amesti

Casa Alvarado

This is one of the best examples of Monterey Colonial architecture in California. Finished about 1850 by Jose Amesti who came from Spain in 1822. More at the sites of Monterey County Historical Society and Monterey County	Juan Bautista Alvarado bought this site and a partially constructed house in 1834. At the time of completion, this and Larkin's house were the only two-story buildings in town.

Markeroni has pictures of Casa Amesti and Cooper-Molera Adobe.

Cooper-Molera Adobe

Adobe and Store as seen from Polk Street

Cooper-Molera Adobe as seen from Munras Street

Some of the old, original paintings inside the Cooper-Molera Adobe have to be protected from flashlights. Thats why, taking pictures is not permitted inside. We understand and respect that. However, we don't understand why there is no appropriate sign or warning, informing visitors. Not knowing this regulation, we disobeyed the rule, but thankfully, a friendly volunteer steped in and educated us in a very charming way.

Click on the thumbnail to enjoy a larger picture

If you want to get away from the town and the traffic, just walk through the Cooper Store into a three-acre complex of main house and farm buildings, with living history demonstrations, farm animals and historic gardens. The Cooper-Molera Adobe was built in the late 1831-32 by American ship captain J.B.R. Cooper. It is now owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and operated by the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

More at the sites of
Monterey County Historical Society and Monterey County

Inside the three-acre complex. Sometimes, people walking along the wall at the outside wonder, where the animal odor comes from... ...there is a sheep barn at the other side of the wall.

Opening Hours

The store is open daily except Wednesday from 10 - 4.
Self guided-tours of the complex are possible during store hours.

Guided tours (ca. 45 minutes.) on Monday and Friday at 3 p.m. and on Wednesday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

El Cuartel Site Across the street, at a gas station, there is a sign in remembrance of a no longer existing huge two-story adobe. Built in 1840, El Cuartel provided quarters for the up to 50 soldiers making up the Monterey garrison. It also included the offices of the Governor and other officials. So, in fact, El Cuartel was the Capitol of Alta California.

El Cuartel, ca. 1880; © California History Room

Now, divert for a moment from the marked path and check out Casa Munras.

Casa Munras

Incorporated in this contemporary structure are the walls of the old Munras Adobe, built in 1824, home of Don Esteban Munras.
On the side of one wall is a bronze plaque which reads: "In memory of Don Esteban Munras, last Spanish diplomat to California of the Spanish era, for whom this home was built in 1824. Dedicated by his great granddaughter, Maria Antonia Field, October 28, 1951."

Now this building serves as a Hotel.

Return to El Cuartel Site and proceed to Stevenson House to continue your tour.

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Stevenson House	Casa Abrego	Madariaga Adobe	Casa Pacheco	San Carlos Chapel

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