Monterey in Monterey County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Colton Hall

Photographed by Erik Christeson, August 20, 2017

1. Colton Hall Marker

Inscription. In this building from September 1 to October 13, 1849 assembled the convention which drafted the constitution under which California was admitted to statehood, September 9, 1850. The forty-eight delegates met on the upper floor which ran the length of the main building. Robert Semple was Chairman and William G. Marcy, Secretary. The stairway leading to the convention hall was in the rear of the building.

Reverend Walter Colton, first American Alcalde in Monterey, erected this building, which bears his name, as a public hall and school house. Colton and Robert Semple established in Monterey on August 15th 1846, the first American newspaper in California.

Erected 1931 by Historic Landmarks Commission, Native Sons of the Golden West. (Marker Number 126.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Political Subdivisions. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 36° 35.873′ N, 121° 53.858′ W. Marker is in Monterey, California, in Monterey County. It is at the intersection of Dutra Street and King Street, on the right when

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traveling north on Dutra Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 546 Dutra Street, Monterey CA 93940, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast

and specifically on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Colton Hall (here, next to this marker); Vasquez Adobe (a few steps from this marker); Gordon House (within shouting distance of this marker); Chaplain Walter Colton, U.S.N., 1787-1851 (within shouting distance of this marker); Colton Hall – Site of California’s Original Constitution (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Monterey Jail (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Seal of the State of California (within shouting distance of this marker); Alvarado Adobe (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monterey.

Regarding Colton Hall. In 1934 this was designated California Historical Landmark No. 126.

Colton Hall Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Erik Christeson, August 20, 2017

2. Colton Hall Monument

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, April 26, 2022

3. Colton Hall Marker

January 19, 2015

4. Colton Hall

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2020, by James King of San Miguel, California. This page has been viewed 516 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on April 27, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 8, 2020, by James King of San Miguel, California. 3. submitted on April 27, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 4. submitted on November 8, 2020, by James King of San Miguel, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.