Historic Monterey

2. Pacific House

Monterey, CA

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David Wright, the Scottish-born architect who also built the Old Whaling Station, constructed this beautiful adobe house. It was built for Thomas O. Larkin, and contained its own well, which was enclosed in the building to ensure clean water. In 1850 it became the Pacific House, a hotel for sailors. The newly created county, who rented space in the building for a courtroom, a jury room, and the county clerk’s office, also used it. The building changed hands again in 1859 and then in 1868 David Jacks, a developer, purchased it anonymously. The Pacific House was the home of many different businesses and organizations, and over time it had included law offices, a newspaper, a church, and even a ballroom. The famed bull and bear fights were held in the walled courtyard on Sundays. The Jacks Family owned the Pacific House until 1954, when David's daughters donated the entire property to the State of California. The surrounding areas were transformed into the tranquil Memory Garden, complete with fountain and pool. Today the building is operated by California State Parks, and contains two museum exhibition areas. The exhibitions are divided by floors, with the upper level hosting the Monterey Museum of the American Indian, which displays baskets, pottery and other Native American artifacts. Downstairs is an exhibition that tells the story of Monterey's role as the capital of Spanish and Mexican California. Content Provided By: Historic Monterey