Recently rereading volume one of the W.T. Sherman’s Memoirs, I discovered this past January 26, marked the 173rd anniversary of his arrival to Monterey California. By his own description he was a young army officer, hoping to gain fame and glory in the Mexican War. Instead he was sent to keep the peace in the main port of entry in Alta California recently transferred to U.S. possession. His first stay lasted just short of two years yet a pivotal time and watershed moment in California’s history—the discovery of gold. Sherman’s eyewitness accounts are descriptive and sometimes entertaining though not particularly insightful. Except for one observation—that the discovery of gold would forever change the landscape and history of California.
I live in the Bay Area and over the years I’ve visited Monterey, California several times. This coming February 8th marks the 200th year of WTS’ birth in Lancaster, Ohio. Since I’m not able to attend the upcoming festivities hosted by the Sherman House Museum and Fairfield County Historical Society, I commemorated the upcoming occasion by visiting the historic old town of Monterey imagining what it must have been like when a young army officer set off for adventures on the other side of the continent and lived there in the wake of times that shaped its own story.
“[Monterey bay] is shaped somewhat like a fish-hook, the barb being the harbor, the point being Point Pinos, the southern headland.” p45 
“Captain Bayiley gave directions to alter the course of the ship more to the north, and follow the coast up and to keep a good lookout for Point Pinos that marks the location of Monterey Bay.” p45 
“it was found that we were North of Ano Nuevo, the northern headland of Monterey Bay.” p45 
“everything was in a bustle when the old Lexington dropped her anchor on January 26, 1847 in Monterey Bay after after a voyage of 198 days from New York.” p46 
“nothing could be more peaceful in its looks than Monterey in January 1847” p 46
young WTS 
back side of adobe cottage 
one room interior of adobe cottage 
Larkin House garden 
historic Monterey 
the adobe cottage adjacent to the Larkin House, residence of young Sherman 
Larkin House “everything was in a bustle when the old Lexington dropped her anchor on January 26, 1847 in Monterey Bay after after a voyage of 198 days from New York.” p46 “nothing could be more peaceful in its looks than Monterey in January 1847” p 46 
“everybody was talking of “Gold! gold!!” until it assumed the character of a fever. p68 
