Winter 2025

118 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 5 nations and war was considered inevitable. In 1842, Commodore Thomas Jones jumped the gun by four years, and led the Capture of Monterey. The American flag was raised over Custom House. The next day, Jones got word that war had not been declared. The American flag was lowered, the Mexican raised once more, and Jones apologized and sailed off. War was finally declared in 1846, and soon Commodore John Sloat led the takeover of Monterey. A proclamation was read stating that the United States had friendly intentions and that all Californians would immediately become American citizens, with much future benefit for all. The American flag was raised—this time for good—without a shot being fired. The American Era Under the American flag, Custom House was initially repurposed. Lieutenant William T. Sherman took up quarters in the north wing, and the south wing was used as a hospital. Duty collection activity resumed in 1847. After the California Gold Rush, tariff enforce- ment shifted increasingly to San Francisco, and Monterey Custom House revenues dwindled. In 1861, John Porter was named the final Collector of Customs in Monterey. In 1867, Monterey was closed as a port of entry and Custom House was shuttered. In the decades that followed, Custom House was subject to vagrancy. Captain Thomas Lambert was appointed as custodian, a position he (and his wife Sarah) held for 33 years. Early on, Lambert bought a nearby lumber mill, which helped him keep Custom House in reasonable repair. Disappointed with the mill foreman, Mrs. Lambert took over operational control to good effect. She boarded up the porches on the south wing to create additional rooms.The fam- ily cow was stabled where the gift shop now resides. Mrs. Lambert planted four cypress trees to the east of Custom House.Two survive today—plumed “Don Gaspar de Portolá” and solemn “Commodore Sloat.” Despite the Lamberts’ best efforts, Custom House fell into decline—mirroring the overall condition of the forlorn pueblo of Monterey. In 1879, Robert Louis Stevenson lived for several months in Monterey. In “The Old Pacific Custom House and Alvarado Street, circa 1905. Repairs to the central portion of Custom House are complete. Southern Pacific Railroad tracks (left) run within mere feet of Custom House with Del Monte Bath House and pier in background. A volunteer in period costume in Custom House Museum in 1970, the year the museum was reprogrammed to display trade goods from the late Mexican Era. Photo: Mayo Hayes O’Donnell Library, Monterey History & Art Association Photo: California History Room Archives, Monterey Public Library