History of Monterey, California in Timeline

Monterey is a city situated on the southern edge of Monterey Bay, along California's Central Coast. It's located within Monterey County, encompassing a land area of approximately 8.645 square miles (22.39 square kilometers). As of the 2020 census, the city's population was recorded at 30,218 residents.

1900: Thomas Albert Work buys into First National Bank

In 1900, Thomas Albert Work bought into the First National Bank in Monterey.

1906: Thomas Albert Work acquires First National Bank

In 1906, Thomas Albert Work acquired the First National Bank in Monterey, where he served as president for over 20 years.

1906: California's First Theater purchased by the California Historic Landmarks League

In 1906, the California Historic Landmarks League purchased "California's First Theater" after it was abandoned and deeded it to the State of California.

1937: Denny-Watrous Management leases "California's First Theater"

In 1937, Denny-Watrous Management leased the historic building and revived the tradition of melodrama, creating the Troupers of the Gold Coast resident company.

May 18, 1950: Wharf Theater opens

On May 18, 1950, the Wharf Theater opened on Fisherman's Wharf with a production of Happy Birthday, featuring a set designed by Bruce Ariss.

1953: Ocean View Boulevard renamed Cannery Row

In 1953, Ocean View Boulevard was renamed Cannery Row in honor of writer John Steinbeck, author of the novel of the same name.

1954: Establishment of Newport Jazz Festival

In 1954, the Newport Jazz Festival was established.

1958: Inaugural Monterey Jazz Festival

The Monterey Jazz Festival began in 1958, showcasing artists like Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and Billie Holiday.

December 31, 1959: Wharf Theater destroyed by fire

On December 31, 1959, the Wharf Theater was destroyed by fire.

1960: Wharf Theater reopens on Alvarado Street

In 1960, the Wharf Theater reopened in a new location on Alvarado Street.

January 1962: Snowfall in Monterey

In January 1962, Monterey experienced an unusual snowfall event.

January 21, 1962: Snow delays Bing Crosby golf tournament

On January 21, 1962, a snowfall of 1.5 inches delayed the Bing Crosby golf tournament in nearby Pebble Beach.

1963: The Monterey Theater renamed

In 1963, the theater on Alvarado Street (formerly 'The Monterey Theater') was renamed 'The Old Monterey Opera House'.

June 1967: Monterey Pop Festival

In June 1967, Monterey hosted the Monterey International Pop Music Festival, a three-day concert event held June 16-18 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, marking the American debut for Jimi Hendrix and The Who, and the first major public performances of Janis Joplin and Otis Redding.

1967: Monterey Pop Festival and the Summer of Love

In 1967, the Monterey Pop Festival, embodying the themes of San Francisco counterculture, is regarded as one of the beginnings of the "Summer of Love".

1971: Discontinuation of the Del Monte train service

In 1971, the Monterey train station service was discontinued when Amtrak took over intercity train service and the Del Monte train was discontinued.

1975: Construction begins on The New Wharf Theater

In 1975, Bruce Ariss and Angelo Di Girolamo began construction on The New Wharf Theater.

February 1976: Snowfall in Monterey

In February 1976, Monterey experienced an unusual snowfall event.

December 3, 1976: The New Wharf Theater opens

On December 3, 1976, The New Wharf Theater opened with a community theater production of Guys and Dolls.

1986: Inauguration of the Monterey Blues Festival

In 1986, the Monterey Blues Festival was established and ran continuously for over two decades.

November 1995: Monterey proclaimed 'the Language Capital of the World'

In November 1995, California Governor Pete Wilson proclaimed Monterey "the Language Capital of the World".

July 1997: Start of wettest rain year on record

July 1997 marked the beginning of the wettest "rain year" on record for Monterey and Monterey WFO, with the period from July 1997 to June 1998 recording 47.15 inches of precipitation.

December 1997: Snowfall in Monterey

In December 1997, Monterey experienced an unusual snowfall event.

February 1998: Highest monthly precipitation

In February 1998, Monterey experienced the highest monthly precipitation with 13.73 inches.

June 1998: End of wettest rain year on record

June 1998 marked the end of the wettest "rain year" on record for Monterey and Monterey WFO, with the period from July 1997 to June 1998 recording 47.15 inches of precipitation.

December 24, 1998: Record lowest temperature

On December 24, 1998, Monterey experienced a record lowest temperature of 26 °F (−3.3 °C).

1999: Troupers of the Gold Coast close for renovation

In 1999, the Troupers of the Gold Coast closed "California's First Theater" for renovation.

2005: Golden State Theatre Refurbished

In 2005, the Golden State Theatre, a former movie palace on Alvarado Street, was refurbished to produce live theatrical events.

March 10, 2006: Significant snowfall recorded

On March 10, 2006, 2.2 inches of snow fell in Monterey.

March 2006: Snowfall in Monterey

In March 2006, a total of 3.2 inches of snow fell in Monterey.

January 13, 2007: Record lowest temperature recorded

On January 13, 2007, Monterey equaled its record lowest temperature of 26 °F (−3.3 °C).

2010: Monterey Population Reported in 2010 US Census

In 2010, the United States census reported that Monterey had a population of 27,810, with a population density of 2,364.0 inhabitants per square mile.

2012: Monterey Blues Festival files for bankruptcy

In 2012, the Monterey Blues Festival filed for bankruptcy.

July 2013: Start of driest rain year on record

July 2013 marked the beginning of the driest "rain year" on record for Monterey and Monterey WFO, with the period from July 2013 to June 2014 recording only 7.67 inches of precipitation.

June 2014: End of driest rain year on record

June 2014 marked the end of the driest "rain year" on record for Monterey and Monterey WFO, with the period from July 2013 to June 2014 recording only 7.67 inches of precipitation.

December 11, 2014: Record 24-hour precipitation

On December 11, 2014, Monterey experienced a record maximum 24-hour precipitation of 3.55 inches.

2015: Top private-sector employers in Monterey listed

According to the city's 2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, a list of the top private-sector employers in Monterey were named.

2017: Monterey Blues Festival resurrected

In 2017, the Monterey Blues Festival was resurrected as the Monterey International Blues Festival.

2020: Monterey population recorded in census

In 2020, the United States census recorded Monterey's population as 30,218.

2020: US Census reports Monterey population

In 2020, the United States census reported that Monterey had a population of 30,218 people living in 12,399 households, with a predominantly White racial makeup.

June 7, 2021: macOS Monterey unveiled at Apple's WWDC2021

On June 7, 2021, the macOS Monterey operating system was presented at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC2021) and named after the Monterey region.

2022: Start of California Floods

The 2022 California floods began.

January 2023: Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado House damaged in floods

In January 2023, the Governor Juan Bautista Alvarado House, a California Historical Landmark, was seriously damaged during the 2022-2023 California floods.

2023: Median household income and poverty line data released

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated the median household income in Monterey was $104,110, with a per capita income of $62,541, and approximately 10.5% of the population living below the poverty line.