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6 unusual facts about Presidio of Monterey


Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo

When the mission was moved, the existing wood and adobe building became the San Jose Chapel for the Presidio of Monterey.

It is the only existing presidio chapel in California and the only existing building in the original Monterey Presidio.

Presidio of Monterey, California

The only surviving building from the original compound is the Royal Presidio Chapel.

Portolá's actions were spurred by the Spanish fear that other nations – particularly Russia — had designs on its New World empire.

The Presidio was renamed Fort Mervine in honor of Captain William Mervine, who commanded one of the ships in Sloat's squadron.

United States control of the area began in 1846 during the Mexican-American War when Commodore John D. Sloat, commander of the U.S. Navy's Pacific Squadron, landed unopposed a small force in Monterey and claimed the territory and the Presidio for the United States.



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