The Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey was once the Hotel Del Monte. This structure, built in the late 1920’s, is third hotel of the same name built on the site. The first two burned. The first one, opened in 1880 by the Pacific Improvement Corporation, (a subsidiary of the SP Railroad) created a reason for upscale tourists to ride the rail line to Monterey. It was a world-class hotel with meticulously landscaped gardens, some of which are still there to see. Guests usually spent at least one day taking a carraige ride along the 17-Mile Drive, created by the company as a scenic attraction.

The original hotel burned in 1887, and was rebuilt the next year. The second structure burned in 1926. Some say the third building is haunted by the ghost of the fire chief who failed to save the original hotel in 1887.





Photo No. 304L02 ©2000 Marc Shargel
Photographed at Monterey, CA

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