Most think of the Monterey Aquarium when the namesake of Monterey Bay is mentioned.

As a fourth grade teacher I think of the depth of California History when I think of Monterey: Colton Hall, the Customs House, and the Larkin House.

This morning I would not be sketching any of these buildings (although I have already sketched two) I turned my journal to the many firsts in California to be found in Monterey: California’s First Theatre and brick building.

I started off with a warm up sketch of the San Nicola. The San Nicola is a 1939 wooden salmon trawler on display near the entrance to the Monterey Historical District. It is a reminder of Monterey’s fishing heritage.

After my warm-up sketch, it was now time to head to one of the first firsts in Monterey, California’s First Theatre.

The theatre was built in 1846 by Jack Swan. It was first used as a theatre in 1850 when the US Army officers of the 1st New York Volunteers put on plays to raise money.

My second first of the day was just around the corner, it is the first brick building in California.

Now this bears a little bit of explanation. The early Spanish and Californios had built buildings with adobe bricks, the first “brick” building was built with European style fired bricks.

The structure was built by Gallant Dickinson in 1947. A well known resident of this building was Patrick Breen, a chronicler and survivor of the Donner Party. The building served as a restaurant in the early part of the 20th century.