Home News Navy Receives ACHP Chairman's Award for Saving Hotel Del Monte Buildings

One of the original wings of the former Hotel Del Monte, Monterey, CA (photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)

 February 18, 2005, Monterey, CA—Navy Region Southwest and the Naval Postgraduate School today jointly received the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's (ACHP) Chairman's Award for Federal Achievement in Historic Preservation for renovating rather than demolishing the 118-year-old lodging wings of the Hotel Del Monte.

"The Hotel Del Monte is an icon of California tourism and heritage, instrumental in the recreational development of the beautiful coastline of Monterey Bay. It has played a major part in the region's history," said John L. Nau, III, chairman of the ACHP.

"Saving these structures and putting them to contemporary use is an exemplary effort entirely in keeping with the goals of the National Historic Preservation Act and President Bush's Executive Order 13287, Preserve America."

Among the Navy's partners in the process that saved the Hotel Del Monte and who also were recognized today during the ACHP's quarterly meeting were: U.S. Representative Sam Farr; California Office of Historic Preservation; California Preservation Foundation; Alliance of Monterey Area Preservationists; National Trust for Historic Preservation, Western Office; Center of Expertise for Historic Buildings and Structures, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District; and, Integrated Product Team West, Naval Facilities Engineering Command.

The Hotel Del Monte was a pioneer among luxury destination resorts on the West Coast in the days when railroads were transportation kings and built destinations to create passenger demand. The tens of thousands of acres occupied by the Del Monte resort preserved unobstructed views and kept the coastline from over-development, while helping give rise to the early days of golf history in the United States and California.

The resort gave its name to the well-known Del Monte brand of canned foods, hosted U.S. presidents and members of their cabinets as well as other notables and celebrities, evolved into the Pebble Beach Company, and has served the Nation in war and peace as a training ground for military personnel since 1943.

Now known as Herrmann Hall as part of the Naval Postgraduate School, Navy Southwest Region, the aged structures were considered for demolition and replacement but instead were spared through the Section 106 consultation process under the National Historic Preservation Act, which is administered by the ACHP.

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The ACHP, an independent Federal agency, promotes the preservation, enhancement, and productive use of the Nation's historic resources and advises the President and Congress on national historic preservation policy. It also provides a forum for influencing Federal activities, programs, and policies that impact historic properties. In addition, the ACHP has a key role in carrying out the Administration's Preserve America program.

The Chairman's Award for Federal Achievement in Historic Preservation recognizes Federal projects, programs, initiatives, and policy leaders or career staff that make significant contributions to historic preservation in the Federal Government. Formal recognition by the ACHP chairman celebrates Federal preservation successes and showcases Federal accomplishments and best practices.

Updated February 24, 2005

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