This year marks the 175th anniversary of California’s admission into the United States, a milestone that invites all of us to reflect on the origins, values and aspirations of our Golden State. But it also offers a chance to celebrate the critical role that Monterey County played in shaping the foundation of California’s democracy and identity.
On Sept. 9, 1850, California became the 31st state of the United States, following the passage of the California Admission Act and the signing of the Compromise of 1850 by President Millard Fillmore. But California’s story, especially Monterey County’s part in it, begins well before that historic day.
Long before statehood, the land we now call California was stewarded by Native tribes for thousands of years. Here in Monterey County, the Rumsen and Esselen Ohlone, Amah Mutsun and Salinan peoples cultivated deep relationships with this region’s land and waters. Their enduring presence and contributions remain central to the story of our state.
Monterey, in particular, holds a unique place in California history. It was once the capital of Alta California under both Spanish and Mexican rule. Its historic institutions, Colton Hall, the Presidio of Monterey, San Carlos Cathedral and the Custom House, the oldest public building in California, stood at the crossroads of civic, military and religious life.
It was in Colton Hall in the fall of 1849 that 48 delegates from across the territory convened to draft California’s first Constitution. Among them were Californios, descendants of Spanish and Mexican settlers, such as Don Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, Antonio Maria Pico, José Antonio Carrillo and Pedro Pablo Amador. They fought for civil rights, bilingual governance and cultural inclusion at a time when the rest of the country was fiercely divided.
The Constitution they created was groundbreaking. It enshrined civil liberties, declared California a free state and outlawed slavery, a bold stand for justice in an era when slavery still divided the nation. In fact, the Constitution stated unequivocally: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, unless for punishment of crimes, shall ever be tolerated in this State.”
It was also drafted and signed in both English and Spanish, thanks in large part to William Edward Petty Hartnell, known as Don Guillermo Arnel, who translated the document. For the first 30 years of statehood, California law required all state laws to be published in both languages, recognizing our multilingual, multicultural heritage from the very start.
Following ratification by voters in November 1849, with a remarkable 94% in favor, California’s leaders immediately petitioned Congress for statehood. Our first senators and representatives carried the Constitution to Washington, D.C., and made the case for California to join the Union. Their efforts succeeded, and on Sept. 9, 1850, California entered as a free state.
Monterey County was one of the original 27 counties created by the first California State Legislature in 1850, underscoring its foundational role in our state’s birth. Today, Colton Hall stands as a living testament to the democratic ideals and inclusive vision that were debated and enshrined there.
As we commemorate this 175th anniversary, let us honor not just the institutions of statehood, but the people, Native Americans, Californios, immigrants and settlers, who built this state with their hands, hearts and hopes. Their legacy lives on in the values we uphold today: freedom, justice, cultural diversity and opportunity for all.
The County of Monterey remains deeply committed to preserving our historic sites, uplifting our diverse communities and educating future generations about our shared past. In doing so, we ensure that the story of California, born in Monterey, continues to inspire the nation for generations to come.
The public is invited to a historical photo exhibit at the County Government Center Lobby from Aug. 26 through September. There will also be a special presentation by the Colton Hall Museum and the Monterey County Historical Society on Aug. 26 at 10:30 a.m. at the Monterey County Board of Supervisors meeting celebrating the 175th California Admission Day.
