Historic Monterey

5. Boston Store

Monterey, CA

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Thomas O. Larkin built this structure in the 1840s. Originally from Massachusetts, Larkin was a wily figure in Alta California and because of his ability to negotiate the sifting political sands of the area he was appointed as the first and last American consul to Alta California by President Tyler. When Larkin moved to San Francisco he sold the house to Jose Brego who leased the building to Joeseph Boston & Company in the 1850s as a mercantile store. One of Boston's partners was the deputy tax collector, and the store served as a depository for county taxes. The partners owned the first iron safe in Monterey, which has now been returned to its original location. It came to be known as Casa del Oro (The House of Gold) due to reports that miners stored their gold there. Abrego later sold the building to David Jacks; it became a storehouse and a private home. The Jacks sisters gave it to the State of California. Today, the Boston Store is again a shop, operated by the non-profit Historic Garden League selling antiques, ribbons, linens, crockery, preserves, soaps, potpourri, tea and herbs, all representative of items in use in early California. A lovely herb garden flanks the property. Content Provided By: Historic Monterey