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September - October 2026
Volume 6, Issue 5
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Monterey High School
Class of 1916-1917
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Car Week Exhibition –
Installation and Advertising
I imagine that most of our readers are well aware of the Racing to Del Monte and Pebble Beach exhibition, but I doubt that many know the massive effort made to make this exhibition a reality. It took two very talented and dedicated co-curators with their many outside connections to identify vehicles, artifacts, images, etc. that filled several gallery areas, the lobby and the museum store. Greg Berkin and John Sanders are the co-curators, and we are fortunate that they brought their talents and resources to Stanton for what is one of the largest and most successful MHAA exhibitions in decades.
Several members of the Board of Directors were also deeply involved and spent many hours working on the installation of the exhibition, and conduction the advertising campaign. Joey Enos, our newest Board member, tackled the numerous large vinyl images mounted on exhibit walls throughout Stanton and Suzette Cavanaugh spend countless hours developing flyers, media releases, and other advertising that has produced a well-attended exhibition. Also, thanks to Monica Churchill and Theresa Yarnell-Todd for clearing the museum store to make room for the exhibition, and to Frances Spradlin for mounting and installing many of the posters and photographs in the exhibition.
Gary Spradlin, President, Monterey History and Art Association
| | Joey Enos and John Sanders, Del Monte Hotel Vinyl-Photo | | |
Anita Doud (1890-1975)
Anita was the first child born to Thomas & Margaret Doud in Monterey on August 27 in 1890. 5 other siblings would eventually join her: brothers Thomas, Francis & James & sisters Charlotte & Kathleen. She was an active student @ the San Carlos School where in that school year’s 1906 closing exercises she was a pianist for 3 works. She also performed the role of Mary Stuart in the five act drama “Mary Queen of Scots”. Later that evening she received a diploma & gold medal for music from Bishop Thomas James Conaty (1847-1915).
On December 3rd 1910 Anita’s grandfather Francis Doud Sr. died. In the 12/4/1910 Monterey Daily Cypress one reads the following tribute: “Mr. Doud came to California, landing in San Francisco July 8, 1849, after an eventful voyage from New York on the ship Orpheus with his wife & son, Francis Jr. then aged 13 months. Mr. Doud remained in San Francisco about six months and then came to Monterey, where he has since lived continuously, excepting a few months spent in the mines in Mariposa County. Mr. Doud first settled with his wife & little son on a small ranch just outside the present Presidio site. To them were born 5 more children: Thomas, Nellie, Mary, Edward & Martin…Only a couple of weeks ago Mr. Doud made a trip to San Francisco by himself for the purpose of visiting his granddaughter, Miss Anita Doud, who is in a sanitarium there. He had a delightful visit & returned home feeling better than for some time, and contemplated going up again at Thanksgiving time but caught cold a day or so after his return, which resulted in his last fatal illness.
No man in Monterey was more closely allied with the growth of the place. Shortly after his arrival here in 1850 he engaged in the butcher business and conducted a meat market in this city until the latter part of the eighties. During this time he also engaged in the dairy business & stock raising, but some twenty five years ago he gave up these lines in order to devote his whole time to his numerous & large business interests.
Mr. Doud leaves a large estate, which is worth in the neighborhood of $500,000. He owned large ranches at Soledad & Gonzales and a large ranch down the coast in the Sur country. He owned a great deal of property in Monterey, in the holdings being some business property on upper Alvarado street & the Doud tract in the upper part of the city.”
On 12/6/1910 the same newspaper announced that “the funeral of Francis Doud will take place from the family residence at the corner of Van Buren & Scott streets at 10 o’clock this morning. The cortege will go direct to San Carlos Church, where a high mass will be celebrated. Internment will be in San Carlos Cemetery.”
Almost 2 decades later Anita’s father died on November 28th in 1929. In the 12/6/1929 Salinas Morning Post one reads “Thomas Doud, for many years one of Monterey County’s leading ranchers, died at his home on Cass street in Monterey on Thanksgiving Day after a short illness. He was 75 years old. Doud was stricken with a severe cold just a week before his death. Bronchial pneumonia developed and medical aid was unable to save him. Doud was a pioneer son of a pioneer. His father was Francis Doud who came to Monterey in the days of ’49… The father obtained vast land holdings which he passed on to his son, who developed and increased them. Doud’s estate is said to be valued at more than $2,000,000. Doud’s chief interest was in cattle and until, only a few years ago, he did as much work as any of his cowboys in the drives to and from his ranches. He did not quit the saddle until past the seventy year mark…Funeral services were held last Saturday in San Carlos Catholic Church. He is buried in the family plot in the Monterey Catholic Cemetery.”
Anita then assumed a more active role in assisting her mother with running the family businesses. After her mother’s death in 1950 she & her siblings continued to do so. Anita was ‘La Duena’ in the 1958 Merienda. In 1960 the Monterey-Pacific Grove Quota Club chose her as “Woman of the Year” for her work on behalf of Japanese Americans released after WW2 from relocation centers. Anita opened her family home on Cass street for MHAA’s popular annual Adobe House Tour In 1961. She was renowned as a philanthropist & preservationist. The Thomas Doud Sr. and Anita M. Doud Funds continue to support local organizations today.
On November 8th 1975 Anita died. She was 85 years old. Her obituary in the 11/11/1975 SF Chronicle stated: “Services will be held in Monterey tomorrow for Anita Doud, spinster matriarch of a pioneer landholding family, who died at Community Hospital Saturday night. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated @ 9:30 AM @ San Carlos Cathedral. Miss Doud was perhaps the last surviving practitioner of Monterey County’s old ‘feudal’ ranching system, in which ranch workers’ families were supposed to be provided with lifelong care. She provided for several families once employed on the large Soledad & Little Sur area ranches, which as a girl she was taught to manage by her father, Tom Doud. The ranches were established by Miss Doud’s grandfather, Francis Doud, who was sergeant-at-arms for the 1849 constitutional convention at Colton Hall prior to California’s admission to statehood.
Miss Doud was born more than 70 years ago, though she would never say exactly, in her grandfather’s house, now shown as a landmark by the MHAA, of which she was a leading member & sponsor. She was also prominent in support of the Monterey County Symphony & numerous charities. Miss Doud lived most of her life in another family home, an 18 room landmark that survives in its 19th Century garden on Cass Street. She was hostess at many notable social events there over the decades. She was a member of the Monterey Civic & Casa Abrego Clubs, and baker of the cake for the city’s annual birthday party, the Merienda. She is survived by a brother, James C. Doud of Honolulu & 2 sisters, Kathleen Doud of Washington D.C. & Charlotte Vicki of Pebble Beach.”
In the Sala Grande @ Casa Serrano there is a portrait of Anita painted by Carmel artist Linford Donovan (1906-2003). In a feature in the 8/29/1967 SF Examiner we learn the following: “The greatest thing that’s ever happened in Monterey. That’s the way longtime residents of the old Spanish capital described the surprise birthday party given Sunday in the House of Four Winds for Miss Anita Doud. The hostess was Mrs. Frank Archdeacon, Miss Doud’s cook for the last 8 years, who not only footed the bill for the party of 175 but did all the cooking as well. Helen lured her employer to the party by pretending she wanted the septuagenarian to dine at her home. As Miss Doud entered the hall Mrs. William Oberholtzer played ‘Happy Birthday’ & ‘For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow’ on the piano. This was followed by ‘It Happened in Monterey a Long Time Ago’ when Col. Allen Griffin presented the honoree with a long scroll signed by all the guests. The scroll was painted by Gen. Frank Dorn & inscribed to ‘The Beloved First Lady of Monterey.’ All of the guests contributed to buy a portrait of Miss Doud by the famous Monterey artist, Linford Donovan Beebe. Mrs. Beebe is having a showing of her works Oct. 4 and work on the portrait will begin after that date. Miss Doud will pose in a Spanish mantilla for the portrait.”
Here’s Linford’s biographical information on askart.com: “Born in Los Angeles, CA Sept. 10, 1906. Donovan began her art training at age ten under the tutelage of Ella Shepard Bush. She earned her bachelor of fine arts from UCLA and master's degree from UC Berkeley. She worked in Hollywood as a costume designer for Edith Head, and later taught design at the Pratt Institute in NYC and at southern California junior colleges. In 1949 she settled on the Monterey Peninsula. Her married name was Beebe at the time of her death in Carmel on Sept. 7, 2003. Member: Salmagundi Club; Carmel AA; Nat'l WC Society. Exh: Ebell Club (LA), 1955.”
Michael Mazgai
Above : Linford Donovan oil painting of Anita Doud circa 1967-1968 (photo credit author)
| | Anita Doud 1 year old in August 1891 (photo credit findagrave,com) | | Anita Doud House Cass Street in Monterey (photo MHOD Library) | Anita Doud 1890-1975 (photo Mayo Hayes O'Donnell Library) | Anita Doud gravesite (photo credit article author) | Anita Doud gravesite map (courtesy San Carlos Cemetery) | Linford Donovan & Samuel F. B. Morse (Julian P Graham photo 1960) | 1953 Linford Donovan ad for Pebble Beach Gallery | 1954 Linford Donovan ad for Maxwell Galleries | Serrano gravesites (Courtesy of San Carlos Cemetery) | 1839 San Carlos Cemetery/Campo Santo (photo credit article author) | Pedro Sisto Serrano (photo credit article author) | Rita Serrano Hauers (1886-1955) (photo credit article author) | | R.T. Serrano (1849-1914) (Photo Credit article author) | | |
Local People
Kaitlyn Williams
Growing up in Monterey, immersed in its history, surrounded by its charm and its people, shaped so much of who I am today. As a young child, I can recall thinking to myself, I get to live here?! I was fascinated by how the land meets the sea, how I could turn one way to see the ethereal forest and then turn the other to find the majestic ocean stretching before me. I spent many hours of my younger years biking along the recreation trail, playing tennis under a canopy of trees, and running from sea to valley. My heart was happiest when my feet were planted on Monterey’s soil, when the fresh, salty air permeated my lungs, and my eyes were drinking in the otherworldly beauty.
As I grew up, I began to understand that what made Monterey feel like home was not only its splendor, but the people who filled it with life. I love running into old friends, seeing familiar faces I don’t actually know, and feeling that sense of camaraderie just by stepping outside my door. There’s something poetic about the idea of how many people have impacted this city, not only through its rich history, but as each and every one of us were unknowingly becoming a part of its story in our own unique ways.
In 2014, I was honored to be named La Favorita at the Merienda, making my own subtle mark on Monterey’s history. The experience was more than dressing up in colonial attire and memorizing a speech in Spanish; rather, it was absorbing the vibrancy, the love, and the pride of our community. I took every opportunity to meet new people, to reconnect with others, and to strengthen my relationship with those I love.
Embodying the role of La Favorita was a driving force in continuing to make an impact on the community. I went away to college to study occupational therapy, as I felt a calling for helping people develop, regain, or maintain skills needed to participate in their daily activities. I took every ounce of knowledge to heart, with the goal of returning to Monterey to make a difference. Over time, I was blossoming into the occupational therapist I sought to become—contributing to the well-being of children. That is, until an unexpected turn of events brought my plans to a halt, and I had to call upon my skills as an occupational therapist in my own life.
After running countless miles of scenic beauty and long workdays, my legs had enough. Severe pain constantly rippled through my legs, so I fought for answers. After dozens of appointments, months of rehabilitation, and pausing my most meaningful activities, I landed on a rare diagnosis: Miserable Malalignment Syndrome. This condition meant my leg bones were abnormally rotated, causing relentless pain. I’ve used my skills as an occupational therapist while navigating recoveries and learning to engage in my most meaningful activities again. I have undergone eleven surgeries with more to follow, all so I can walk better with the eventual goal of running through Monterey’s backyard—something that has brought meaning to my life.
As difficult as these surgeries and recoveries have been, I can’t help but reflect on how my story has developed over time. I am currently writing a memoir about my upbringing, my health journey, and my professional journey and how all of these elements, along with where I grew up, have molded me into the person I am today. I’m proud to say that Monterey is my home and will always be a part of my story, no matter where life ends up taking me.
| Favorita at the 2014 La Merienda | At the "Run in the Name of Love 5K" pre-diagnosis with my good friend Jaclyn Todd | |
If you have a friend or relative who would like to share their story about living in or around Monterey, please contact Monterey
History and Art Association at MHAA.org1931@gmail.com
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Peninsula Diary
Mayo Hayes O’Donnell
Mayo Hayes O’Donnell wrote this article for the Monterey Peninsula Herald on January 18, 1950
In Volume 1, No. 2 of Del Monte Wave, published in Monterey, February, 1886, by the Del Monte Publishing Company, the following was written of Hotel Del Monte, which at that time was just six years old: “It required only the building of a first class hotel to make Monterey the perfection of a watering place, and this want was amply supplied in 1880, when a magnificent structure was reared about a mile from town. The site was selected in a stately grove of pines, oak, and cedar, the trees being sufficiently scattered to admit of the adornment of the grounds by driveways, footpaths, lawns and beds of flowers. A plot of 126 acres was set aside and enclosed as the hotel grounds, while 7000 acres more were purchased for other purposes.”
On April 1, 1887, the hotel burned to the ground, and it was not until June 16, 1888, that the second grand opening was held. On that very special occasion the menu cards were most elaborate and ornate. A photograph of the hotel was pictured in green on the cover and blue and white cord was used to hold the cover and the two-page menu and wine list together. George Schonewald was the manager. In that year Mumm’s extra dry was $2 a pint and $4 a quart. The price of the banquet is not given.
The musical programme was given by the “combined orchestras of Mr. Brandt and Mr. Ballenberg, under the direction of Mr. Brandt.”
In that day Mr. Ned Greenway of San Francisco was the social dictator, and he came from San Francisco to direct the dancing from 8:30 till 11 p.m. in the dancing hall, followed by a “Promenade Concert” orchestra directed by Mr. Ballenberg. The banquet was served at 11 p.m. and a parlor concert was programmed for the later hours under the direction of Mr. Brandt.
On Sunday of that historical event there was a morning concert at the Bathing Pavilion at 11:30 a.m. and a sacred concert on the veranda by the combined orchestas at 2 p.m. On the back cover was a picture, also printed in green, of the coast line and pine trees.
For this very interesting collection of old-time menu cards from Hotel Del Monte we are indebted to Mr. Thomas W. Norris of Carmel. Mr. Norris is a collector of Californiana. He is a member of the board of directors of the Monterey History and Art Association and of the Monterey Foundation.
The oldest menu card in Mr. Norris’ collection is the one used Dec. 31, 1887. It is printed in red ink on a piece of white satin ribbon about 3 by 6 inches. It was headed “A Ball Supper” in fancy capital letters and listed hot service, cold entrée, cold ornamental pieces, dessert and refreshments.
The Christmas menu for 1888 has a picture of the hotel with the lights in the windows and a holiday greetings as the frontispiece. Inside is a branch of holly in color. The next Christmas day, 1889, the card was not so elaborate. The cover was a picture of Cypress Point, but the New Year menu for 1894 was really a collector’s item. The cover and paper upon which the menu was printed was the best that could be purchased. The cupids are sitting on a branch of holly, each with a toasting glass in his hand. 1894 is grey-haired and tired looking and has an hour glass on his lap. The whole is tied with white satin ribbon. Mumms had gone up 25 and 50 cents in price.
A Happy New Year 1891, is a drawing of the big hotel glimpsed through the trees on the grounds, with butterflies and cupids and the inevitable potted palms, which seem to appear on every cover. On the back cover is a drawing of the view of the garden from the veranda, with the Victorian wood ornaments supporting the roof. Champagne was back to $2 and $4.
On April 30, 1891, Benjamin Harrison visited Hotel Del Monte, and the menu cards had his picture as the feature of the cover, with Yosemite Falls as the background. Of course there was the American flag and eagle, and much decoration on the inside. Champagne had gone up again.
For New Year’s Eve, 1892, the decoration was an angel surrounded by cupids, with another view of the garden. The back cover had a view of the hotel buildings from the grounds and wide green ribbon was used for the tie. To celebrate the coming of 1893, an angel and cupids were again used and another view of the hotel, with another shade of green ribbon. The Happy New Year greeting for 1894 looked a bit more modern and was really very pleasing, with Santa Claus and a group of happy children surrounding the card, all printed in green and gold, and tied with cord. Two years later an English drinking scene, the men in knee breeches, smoking long clay pipes and sitting before a huge punch bowl, was even more modern, for on the back were reproduced photographs of Monterey cypress and Old Oaks, Del Monte.
On Sunday, April 26, 1896 George H. Arnold had replaced G. Schonewald as manager of the hotel.
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Library News
We received a generous book donation from a library volunteer and book sales have continued to be very beneficial for library upkeep.
The library has been closed to visitors on several occasions in late July and the first week of August due to work on MHAA's new exhibit at Stanton Center.
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Gift Shop
The Gift shop is full of new items. Great gifts ideas or fun items for yourself. Stop in and check out the new products and then visit the exhibits- Remember admission is free for members!
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Monterey History and Art needs volunteers at:
Stanton Center: volunteers are needed to monitor and host events.
Casa Serrano: docents are needed to staff the adobe on Sat. and Sun. from 2-4 pm and to staff special events.
MHOD Library: volunteers are needed Wed. thru Sun. from 1:30- 4 pm to welcome visitors and help with research questions. Other tasks include: scanning material to place on our website and sharing the history of the library and Monterey.
Training will be provided for volunteers at each of these sites.
email us at MHAA.org1931@gmail.com
THANK YOU
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Come visit our exhibits at Stanton Center.
Free admission for MHAA members!
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P.O. Box 1082
Monterey California, 93942
montereyhistory.org
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