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

Old Monterey Jail

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 22, 2010

1. Old Monterey Jail Marker

Inscription. Built in 1854 when Monterey was the county seat. The building was used as the city jail until 1956.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Political Subdivisions. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 36° 35.856′ N, 121° 53.863′ W. Marker is in Monterey, California, in Monterey County. It is at the intersection of Dutra Street and King Street, on the right on Dutra Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: Vasquez Adobe (within shouting distance of this marker); Colton Hall (within shouting distance of this

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marker); a different marker also named Colton Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Colton Hall – Site of California’s Original Constitution (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Seal of the State of California (within shouting distance of this marker); Chaplain Walter Colton, U.S.N., 1787-1851 (within shouting distance of this marker); Monterey History Time Line (within shouting distance of this marker); Gordon House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monterey.

More about this marker. The marker is mounted on two poles directly in front of the jail on the Dutra Street (west or back) side of Colton Hall.

Old Monterey Jail and Marker - view from west image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 22, 2010

2. Old Monterey Jail and Marker - view from west

From the HABS architectural description: The building is a one-story stone building constructed in 1854, comprising 6 prison cells and 2 administration offices, with a third room in the wing connecting the building with Colton Hall. The stone is rough granite ashlar, cut to uniform height and irregular length, laid up in running bond and left exposed.

Old Monterey Jail - east (Colton Hall) side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 22, 2010

3. Old Monterey Jail - east (Colton Hall) side

Old Monterey Jail and Colton Hall image. Click for full size.

Unknown, image courtesy of the Historic American Building Survey, 1890

4. Old Monterey Jail and Colton Hall

The jail, built in 1854, abuts Colton Hall, built 1847-49. Colton Hall was the site of California's constitutional convention (September 1 - October 15, 1849), and is California State Historical Landmark number 126.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 10, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,209 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 10, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.