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

Whaling Station

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 29, 2013

1. Whaling Station Marker

Inscription.
Built in 1847 by David Wight. Headquarters of Old Monterey Whaling Company 1855 – circa 1885.

Erected by Monterey History & Art Association Courtesy Thomson J. Hudson Memorial Fund.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.

Location. 36° 36.235′ N, 121° 53.707′ W. Marker is in Monterey, California, in Monterey County. It can be reached from Decatur Street. Decatur Street is closed to vehicular traffic, foot traffic only. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 391 Decatur 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: The Old Whaling Station (a few steps from this marker); First Brick House (within shouting distance of this marker); Don Gaspar de Portolá (within shouting distance of this marker); First Theater in California (about 300 feet away); Crescent Brand Sardine Company (about 400 feet away); Casa del Oro Garden (about 400 feet away); John “Bricky” Crivello (about 400 feet away); 400th Anniversary of the Naming of Monterey Bay by Gen. Sebastián Vizcaíno (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monterey.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Mayo Hayes O'Donnell Library

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(was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. Historic American Buildings Survey record for the Monterey Whaling Station. The HABS notes for the Whaling Station are as follows: Established as a headquarters for Monterey Whaling Company and as a home for whalers in 1855. Some authorities claim it was built prior to 1850 by David Wight, builder of Pacific Building. It was neglected and restored in 1903, when second floor cantilevered building was added. (Submitted on February 18, 2013.)

2. Monterey State Historic Park. California State Parks website entry (Submitted on February 18, 2013.)

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 29, 2013

2. Whaling Station Marker

The marker is on a pole to the far right.

Monterey Whaling Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert W. Kerrigan, May 1936

3. Monterey Whaling Station

Note the Old Monterey-style marker in roughly the same place as the current marker, with the text reading: Old Whaling Station established in 1855. Restored about 1903.

Whaling Station - from the S. Levin Collection, Courtesy of the Historic American Buildings Survey image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown, 1870

4. Whaling Station - from the S. Levin Collection, Courtesy of the Historic American Buildings Survey

Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 983 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 7, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3, 4. submitted on February 18, 2013. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.