The Monterey Peninsula Toy Box Bits-O'-History Fun & Educational nuggets to amuse Your Brain A fairly good picture of Colton Hall drawn by Mr. Toy himself.
"A nation that forgets its past can function no better than an individual with amnesia." ~David McCullough	Mr. Toy thinks you'll find these five bits to be both amusing and informative. (And scroll down for some great history books!) The True Meaning Of The Cross It's probably not what you think. This is the story of how vandalism of a historic monument sparked a modern constitutional crisis.  How a Monterey hotel saved the Carmel Mission (and what's the deal with the roof?) The Abalone Song Includes printable sheet music! You can also join in the fun by submitting your own verses. Mary Austin's Pacific Grove Report. Written in 1914, it still applies today. Window on the Bay: the lost opportunity Monterey could have bought it for a tiny fraction of what it's paying now.
Return to the Toy Box	Recommended Reading & Viewing: Most of the following books and videos may be found at local bookstores. They may also be ordered from Better World Books by clicking the links below. Your purchase will help fund literacy programs. BOOKS Monterey: Presidio, Pueblo, and Port by J.D. Conway A thorough overview of the city's history from primitive natives to modern times.   The Death and Life of Monterey Bay: A Story of Revival  by Stephen R. Palumbi & Carolyn Sotka An engaging account of the use, abuse, and revival of Monterey Bay's ecological resources.   Carmel-By-The-Sea: From Aborigines to Coastal Commission by Sidney Temple. A rich and detailed story of Carmel. This book is an abridged version of his manuscript which can be viewed at the Carmel Library. Carmel-By-The-Sea - Images of America by Monica Hudson Carmel's history told through photographs.   Carmel California: A History in Architecture by Kent Seavey A photographic history of Carmel's quaint and quirky building styles.   Monterey County: The Dramatic Story of Its Past by Augusta Fink The definitive story of the settlement and development of Monterey County.   A Wild Coast and Lonely: Big Sur Pioneers by Rosalind Sharp Wall A fascinating account of the rugged individualists who settled Big Sur. Written by a Big Sur native.   Monterey County Place Names: A Geographical Dictionary by David Thomas Clark A richly detailed and exhaustive reference work explaining how everything in Monterey County - large and small - got its name. Curious Customs of Carmel by El Frieda Liese A little book describing Carmel's unique traditions, some of which have been lost to time. This is out of print, but used copies may be available somewhere if you look around. VIDEOS Don't Pave Main Street A rich and engaging documentary of Carmel's history narrated by Clint Eastwood. It may be  ordered through the Carmel Heritage Society. The Complete Monterey Pop Festival This DVD boxed set includes the famous documentary film of the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival plus extended performances of Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, and numerous outtakes from other performers.   The Last Days of Old Cannery Row A record of Cannery Row in 1969 by local filmmaker John Harris. This one is out of print and may be very hard to find.