HISTORY
AND LOCATION OF MONTEREY
Because of its climate and location, the
Monterey Peninsula draws much of its
revenue from tourism. The Monterey
Peninsula has many opportunities for
recreation and offers ample
transportation for tourists and locals
alike. But don't think we are just a
tourist spot; the Monterey peninsula is
an area of ever increasing economic and
communal diversity. Monterey has three
military installations, and an
increasing number of educational
facilities, in addition to its beautiful
scenery. The Monterey Peninsula and
surrounding areas, the service area of
the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of
Commerce, possess many assets and faces
many opportunities and challenges in
2005 and the years ahead. This community
comprised of seven cities, and numerous
unincorporated areas of Monterey County
is world-famous for its majestic beauty,
magnificent coastline, its golf and
recreation facilities, and its
educational leadership, particularly in
the field of international languages.
Traditionally, the economy of Monterey
County has been comprised of three
bases: Agriculture primarily in the
Salinas Valley; Tourism primarily on the
coastal areas; and Military comprised of
the Naval Postgraduate School, and the
Defense Language Institute at the
Presidio of Monterey. With the
significant downsizing of Fort Ord
during 1993, and the relocation of its
13,000 soldiers and their dependents,
the community looked to replace the
Military "industry" with an educational
industry, as a compatible third element
of our economy. These efforts have
far-reaching implications and impacts,
but are strongly supported by a broad
cross-section of the community.
HISTORY
Long before Portuguese explorer Juan
Rodriguez Cabrillo "discovered" the
Monterey Peninsula nearly 500 years ago,
the region was settled by Native
Americans who were attracted by the
wealth of natural resources in and
around the bay. Those hunters and
gatherers found an abundance of
wildlife, seafood, and plants to sustain
themselves, and established several
villages on the Peninsula. Although
Cabrillo, who first spotted the stunning
Monterey Peninsula on November 17, 1542
while seeking riches in the New World
claimed it for the crown, he and his
crew never actually set foot on
Monterey's shores. Rough seas prevented
him from landing, and it would be 60
years before another European explorer,
Spain's Sebastian Vizcaino, stepped
ashore. Vizcaino named the region after
the Count of Monte Rey, under whose
orders he was sailing. Europeans began
colonizing the peninsula in 1770 when
Spaniards Caspar de Portola and
Franciscan Father Junipero Serra
arrived. Father Serra established the
Mission San Carlos de Borromeo in
Monterey, while Portola and his crew
built the first of four California
presidios. Six years later, Spain, which
controlled both California and the Baja
Peninsula, named Monterey as the capital
of California. In 1822, after Mexico
seceded from Spain, Monterey became the
Mexican capital. Land in the region was
redistributed, huge cattle ranches were
established, and the Port of Monterey
was opened to international trade.
English and American vessels arrived
regularly to haul away hides and tallow,
and Monterey's Custom House was built in
1827 in response to the booming traffic.
Nineteen years later, Mexico's rule over
California ended and Monterey, along
with the rest of California became a
United States' territory. In 1849, 48
California delegates convened at
Monterey's Colton Hall to draft
California's constitution. California
entered the Union the following year,
becoming the 31st state of the Union.
Monterey became the first Capitol in
California.
LOCATION
Situated on the southern end of the
Monterey Bay, the Monterey Peninsula is
surrounded by water on three sides. The
Pacific Ocean lies to the west, Carmel
Bay to the south, and the Monterey Bay
to the north. 125 miles south of San
Francisco, the Monterey Peninsula is 345
miles north of Los Angeles. Encompassing
3,324 square miles (or 1,127,360 acres)
Monterey County includes roughly 100
miles of California's spectacular
840-mile long coastline. The elevation
within the county runs from sea level to
a towering 5,844 feet at its highest
point, which is atop Junipero Serra Peak
in the heart of the Santa Lucia Mountain
Range in the Big Sur area. Stretching
inland for an average of 30 miles,
Monterey County shares a border with
five surrounding counties; Santa Cruz
County to the north, San Luis Obispo
County to the south, and San Benito,
Kings and Fresno Counties to the east.
Its latitude runs between 36 and 40;
Longitude from 121- 137.
PRAYER FOCUS
*Pray that our Pastors will sit in the
Counsel of the Lord (Jer 23:18 & 22) and
have His heart, eyes, and ears. To speak
His Word faithfully and come together as
in "One Accord" to accomplish His will
on Monterey Peninsula.
*To Release Heaven on Earth on the
Monterey Peninsula and that we (the
Church) all may have a Godly Fear of the
Lord.
*That the Gates to our Cities be fully
open so that the King of Glory can come
in to our Peninsula.
*That the Church on Monterey Bay will
have a desire to worship Him and Pray
without ceasing .
*That we will Seek His Presence
permanently on our Peninsula. To have
"intimacy" with Him alone.
*That the Church on Monterey Bay will
Love Him with all our Hearts, Minds,
Body and Strength and Love one another,
and forgive one another. That we may be
a pure and holy people.
*That we will have a humble heart,
transparent, and accountable to the Lord
and one another for our behavior and for
our words.
*Pray for our Youth, child and
teenager...they are the Church of
Tomorrow. It's time to fight for them.
*Pray against violence, indifference,
self interest, and poor management
(fiscal) for our Schools and Libraries.
* Monterey is a Teaching City...Pray
that we may redeem our Land as a
blessing for the Lord and that His
planned purpose in the Land will be
Released, Released and Released.
*Father Junipero Serra who founded the
Missions said "always go forward"..Pray
that we move ahead with vision and
perservere so we may please Him.
*Prayers for our Police, and Monterey
County Deputies as well as the Firemen
who also serve in Public Safety. They
are under much stress and see things
that most people do not see.
*Pray for our Law enforcement people who
live with stress and have difficulty
with relationships (families) due to
their type of work. They are God's
authority over us and protect us from
harm.
A Declaration from Pray Monterey Bay:
(Stand in
Agreement with them in this Declaration)
"I believe that the Monterey Bay Area
which is the 'first' Capitol of our
State, our Constitution, and many
'firsts' is not by chance. Father J.
Serra called California 'the Vineyard of
the Lord' and he lived and died in
Carmel by the Sea. He is buried in the
Mission there. California has some great
vineyards (John 15). Besides Napa and
Sonoma, Monterey has some huge vineyards
in the southern part of the county. It
is prophetic...that new wine is being
poured out and that it is time for new
wineskins...Letting go of the old
wineskins and embrace your destiny."
Prayer For San Benito County:
Submitted
by Pastors of San Benito County
There is a need to pray for a break
through for the county officials and the
"local government" which is continually
caught in strife and mistrust among
themselves.
*Pray For the Lord to expose the
"unlawful activities" going on in county
government and for righteous justice to
come forth.
*Pray For members of our community to
grow together in trust.
*Pray for Healing from wounds of
bitterness among the people of our
county.
*Pray For the Church to rise up in
courage and faith to effectually
influence the communities especially in
the schools and workplaces.
*Pray For a critical spirit to be broken
off of the people of this area.
*Pray For "gang activity" and the spirit
of darkness that promotes this to be
broken.
*Pray For safety for our children.
*Pray For Christians to gather for
prayer and churches to be free from
spirit of separatism.
*Pray For the pastors and church leaders
to respond to the Holy Spirit and truly
become God's gatekeepers of the
community.
Monterey
CSAC Snapshot Info
Official County Website
San Benito
CSAC Snapshot Info
Official County Website
