Response paper to visit of
Colton Hall, Monterey, California

Walking into Colton Hall reminded me of fourth grade and touring all those historical places that we discovered at that age. Perhaps it was the fourth graders that came in while I was there, but the initial impact of walking in the door reminded me of standing in independence hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The tables with the quills, ink bottles, and working papers; the assortment of chairs and the spittoon on the floor under the table made it seem so much more real. I wondered what the weather was like, where everyone was staying, and if there were strange interruptions or laughter during the proceedings
When I sat down to look through the book of delegates, I found a variety of people from different walks of life, different ages and different ancestry. The youngest were 25 and the oldest was 53. There were delegates who had been born in Ireland, Scotland, Spain and. as well as California, the eastern seaboard states and the Midwest. What was missing was the feminine voice, the voice of the children and the voice of the original inhabitants of the area. I did find that the men did discuss women's property rights and the rights of the California Native groups.
Oh and even more what about the voice of the Mormons? Here was a religious/economic/social group said to be 30 thousand strong in an area that may have been physically distant from the Californios, yet was part of Alta California. In fact the discussion surrounding the Mormons included how to make sure that the number of voters could outvote the Mormons if necessary. When discussing the construction of California at the convention, this fact should be remembered.

 

 One of the biggest Gems of Colton Hall is the Research Assistant, Dorothea Sallee. During her 25 years of service working at the hall, she has seen and been in active in changes in the displays. I spoke with her for two hours and learned more about the history in that discussion than by simply reading through the documents (but the documents were good background!).
Mrs. Sallee told me that the Jail had been constructed during the occupation period and that that it was the third jail that had been built in Monterey. The original display of the jail was three empty cells (the others being used for storage of documents) and that the decision was made to decorate the cells according to references in documentation's available. The original documents are included in a booklet, hanging in the jail and also by asking for it in the hall. The occurrences in the cells are actual except for the fictionalized account of John Steinbeck's (happy 98th- John!) account from the novel Tortilla Flat, and I must admit that the fictional (?) depiction of squishing and naming bedbugs for city council members can speak more eloquently than documents!
As far as the depiction of the Spanish guitar scenario, I agree that the accoutrements might have been more realistic if demonstrated with more realistic clothing instead of the stereotypical decorated sombrero. She said that the incident described also took place in the second prison (the location of which is unknown) and that the choice was made to try and include a variety of experiences and groups of people.

Another great tale that she told me was about the Signature Table in Colton Hall proper, It was the actual table used at the signing and had been someones kitchen table. Colton Hall was unfurnished at the time of the Convention and the furnishings were borrowed. After the convention they were returned to their owners and the table eventually ended up stored in the barn rafters of the owners who knew that it should be saved for historical purposes. When Colton hall was restored, the family dug out the dusty table and gave it up for display. They also recorded some of the family stories of babies being bathed on the table in the warmth of the kitchen.
Downstairs is the City planner's offices, they are scheduled to be restored to their historical classroom state and rumor has it that the original grey slate board still exists behind the cabinets.


I appreciated my time exploring Colton Hall and even more the opportunity to speak with long-term tenant Dorothea Sallee.

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Last updated on April 16, 2000