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

El Castillo Site

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 29, 2013

1. El Castillo Site Marker

Inscription. This old Spanish fort began as eleven guns behind a crude parapet of logs overlooking the anchorage of Monterey Bay in 1972. The battery was strengthen and enlarged over the years and served as the principal fort in Monterey for both the Spanish and the Mexicans. It was later replaced by the larger fort farther up the hill at the beginning of the American Era in 1848. The El Castillo site was excavated by archeologists in 1967 and re-covered with earth to protect it. (Marker Number 7.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1972.

Location. 36° 36.364′ N, 121° 53.719′ W. Marker is in Monterey, California, in Monterey County. It can be reached from Corporal Ewing Road. This marker is located in the Presidio de Monterey to the east of Corporal Ewing Road on a small knoll overlooking Monterey Bay. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Monterey CA 93944, 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: Here ... landed Very Rev. Father Junipero Serra (a few steps from this marker); The Argentine Navy (within shouting distance of this marker); Hippolyte Bouchard Monument / Monumento a Hipólito Bouchard (within shouting distance of this marker); El Castillo de Monterey

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Presidio of Monterey Museum (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); 400th Anniversary of the Naming of Monterey Bay by Gen. Sebastián Vizcaíno (about 600 feet away); Don Gaspar de Portolá (about 600 feet away); Crescent Brand Sardine Company (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monterey.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Bouchard Monument (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 29, 2013

2. El Castillo Site Marker

Alexis Nino Burial Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 29, 2013

3. Alexis Nino Burial Site

This nearby cross marks the 1770 burial site of Alexis Nino, the first non-native burial in the Monterey area.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 964 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 8, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.