Big Sur California

History Timeline

Please click on a category to begin your exploration of the Human Presence in the Big Sur region.

Pre-History -- Big Sur and surrounding regions inhabited by the Esselen, Salinan and Costanoan people.

1542 -- Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo 'discovers' Alta California for Spain

1602 -- Sebastian Vizcaino expedition again locates Monterey Bay as possible re-supply port for Acapulco-Manila Spanish trading voyages

1768 -- Gaspar de Portola and Father Serra launch colonizing expedition to Alta California

1770 -- First two missions established by Serra, Mission San Carlos Borromeo (Cannel Mission) and Mission San Antonio de Padua near Jolon

1822 -- Mexico declares independence from Spain

1822 -- Mexican governors begin large land grants in California

1846 -- President James Polk declares war with Mexico.

1847 -- End of organized resistance to American occupation of California

1853 -- California settlers offered 160-acre parcels for occupying and improving the land

1859 -- Eleven whaling stations now operating on California coast, including Carmel, Monterey and San Simeon

1880's -- Tanbark, timber, limestone industries established. Gold discovered on Alder Creek, boom lasts until 1895

1889 -- Wagon road from Big Sur to Carmel completed by settlers

1937 -- Cannel-San Simeon Highway (Highway One) completed at a cost of eight million dollars

1963 -- Big Sur master plan adopted with strict zoning regulations and building restrictions. Highway One removed from newly established state freeway system

PRE-HISTORY

THE SPANISH

MEXICAN RULE

AMERICAN PERIOD