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1769 - Monterey Bay Claimed for Spain
Sebastian Vizcaino finds a populated Monterey Bay for the Spanish. The area was already occupied by the Ohlone people. He described Monterey Bay as a “perfect harbor” & claimed the area for Spain. Junipero Serra came to the area later to set up a mission and began to convert the Native American culture -
1786 - Otter Pelt Trading Begins
Jean-Francois de la Perouse arrives in Monterey Bay. He started a commerce of otter pelts and the trade became popular in the area. This was successful because of the high price of otter pelts in China. Since the otters were hunted in the area and became scarce, there was an increase in urchins and abalone, and a decrease in kelp. -
April 1853 - Abalone Fishing Begins
The Chinese set up fishing camps, fishing and harvesting for Abalone begins. Abalone take 5-10 years to grow, and the population could not replenish as quickly as they were being harvested, the Abalone were gone in the area by 1856. -
1854 - Whaling Begins
Whaling begins in Monterey Bay, started by Captain John Pope Davenport. It peaked between 1859-1863, Gray whales were the main target. -
1874 - 1875 - Rail Link Completed, Economic Boom Begins
The Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad completed the rail link between Monterey & Salinas in 1874.
In 1875 visitors came to Pacific Grove for summer educational series and to visit the Chinese community. This tourism created an economic boom in the area. -
1880s - Squid Fishing Begins
The fishermen of China Point start fishing for squid. Since the Abalone was gone in the area, the fishermen had to find something else to bring in income. They fished for squid at night, and dried it on racks in China Point which left a stench in the air. The stench disrupted the tourism industry. By 1905 the squid fishing came to an end. -
1899 - Julia Platt Arrives in Pacific Grove
Julia Platt moves to Pacific Grove. “She had come, unchaperoned to study zoology,” she had finally earned a zoology Ph.D in 1898. -
1901 - The Canneries Open
H.R. Robbins started the first cannery to harvest sardines in Monterey Bay. This first cannery would open the door to 5 canneries operating in the area by 1917. -
October 6, 1902 - "The Chicken Wars"
After battling chickens doing damage to her yard, Julia decided a "modern town could not let animals run wild." She wrote an ordinance, and on October 6, 1902 her ordinance was passed. It prohibited the “running at large of chickens & other domestic fowl” in the city of Pacific Grove. -
May 6, 1906 - The China Point Fire
There was a fire in China Point that destroyed the town. The people never rebuilt & dispersed and left the area. -
1917 - The Canneries Become Profitable
By 1917 there were five canning companies in Monterey Bay, which brought a stench to the town and adversely affected the tourism industry. Also, in 1917 the canneries started fish reduction which made the canneries more profit. The canneries also became in more demand and more profitable because of World War I. -
1919 - Government Regulations
In 1919 California established the Department of Commercial Fisheries to evaluate the fishery effects on sardine abundance. The Lake Miraflores was the first of many "floaters" to operate off the shore of Monterey Bay. They operated because of a loophole and were created so they did not have to comply with state laws. -
1931 - The Fight Over Beach Access
On January 19, 1931 the bath house at Lovers Point had been acquired by Mrs. J.E. McDougall and she put up a gate to their property that blocked the access to the beach. The next day Julia Platt tore down the gate because she believed the beaches were public property and everyone should have access to it. She continued to tear it down when it was rebuilt and erected a placard stating that the entrance must be left open. -
1931 - 1932 - Julia Platt as Mayor
On April 11, 1931, Julia Platt was elected mayor of Pacific Grove by a 2:1 margin. On April 21, 1932, Julia passed City ordinance 284, stating that the mayor has the authority to manage the shoreline. Julia was now free to manage the Pacific Grove shoreline, this was her ultimate and now she had the legal authority to do so. -
1946 - Ecological Damage from Canneries
Ed Ricketts brings awareness to the ecological damage done by canneries in Monterey Bay.
He was a scientist that studied the tide pools and ecology in the Monterey Bay area. He published his research about the impact of the canaries in Monterey Bay. -
1950 - The Canneries Close
The canneries close because of overfishing and the cycling of the sardine population and changes in the ocean climate. -
1963 - The Otters Return
The otters return to Monterey Bay. They were first seen in Big Sur and moved up the coast. Their return, lifestyle, and diet started to change the ecology of the ocean for the better. -
1963 - The Kelp Reappear
The kelp forest begins to appear. Now that otters had returned to the bay, they began eating the urchins & grazing on kelp. The kelp had less predators now and were able to grow. -
1967 - The Seals Return
Seals come back to Monterey Bay. With the kelp forest growing, it was a good environment for schools of fish. Thanks to the schools of fish, it was now a good environment for seals. -
1972 - Marine Mammal Protection Act Passed
In 1972 the Marine Mammal Protection Act was passed, this would protect dolphins, whales, seals and sea lions. As a result, the seal population grew. -
1984 - Monterey Bay Aquarium Opens
The Monterey Bay aquarium opens its doors after almost 7 years of planning. Their goal was to bring “the marine life & ocean habitats of Monterey Bay to people.”