Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
United States Flag Centennial Celebration Scrapbook, 1946
ARC 556
No online items
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Title: United States Flag Centennial Celebration Scrapbook, 1946
Dates: 1946
Collection Number: ARC 556
Creator/Collector:
Extent: 1 scrapbook; 56 x 11 cm.
Repository:
Monterey Public Library
Monterey, California 93940
Abstract: On July 2, 1846, the United States naval vessels Savannah, Cyane, and Levant, under the command of Commodore John Drake Sloat
arrived off the coast of Monterey under orders to "take" important California harbors when war was declared with Mexico. On
July 7, Sloat's force of some 250 sailors and marines landed and occupoed the city. There was no resistance, and the American
flag was raised by Midshipman William P. Toler on the pole at Custom House while a 21-gun salute issued from the ships. The
1946 centennial celebration of this historic event went on for four days, culminating in a re-enactment of the landing and
flag raising, which Govenor Earl Warren attended. Major downtown street decorations were made in conjunction with the removal
of modern signs. The celebration program included an Indepedence Day military parade and fireworks, visitation by U.S. naval
vesels (among them the heavy cruiser St. Paul and the destroyer Rowan), several barbeques, a centennial parade, street dancing,
a rodeo at the Monterey Ball Park, band concerts, visiting movie stars (Robert Cummings, Joan Leslie, Leo Carillo, Dennis
Day), "water follies" shows at the Pacific Grove pool, search light demonstrations by the naval craft-all amidst a "continuous
fiesta" atmosphere. It was estimated by local police that over 90,000 people participated in the celebration.
Language of Material: English
By appointment only; Contact Local History Librarian or designated staff.
Reproduction by Local History Librarian or designated staff; may be restricted due to condition of material.
[Identification of item]. United States Flag Centennial Celebration Scrapbook, 1946. Collection Number: ARC 556. Monterey
Public Library
Scope and Content of Collection
Scrapbook (oversized) consists of programs, invitations, photographs, magazine araticles, brochures, tickets of admission,
postcard, guest pass, press releases, newspaper stories and articles-all related to the events surrounding the 1946 Flag Raising
Centennial. Two primary publications are contained in the scrapbook: the souvenir program and the special issue of the Monterey
Peninsula Herald devoted to the history and celebration.
Bear Flag Revolt, 1846
Centennial celebrations
Sloat, John Drake
Toler, William Pinckney
Monterey Peninsula Herald
Monterey, California
Scrapbook
United States Flag Centennial