Presidio of Monterey

Established: 1902

About

Near the end of the Philippine Insurrection in 1902, the Army recognized it needed additional forts, particularly on the West Coast. As possible sites were being surveyed, the Army “discovered” that it already owned a large area in Monterey that would be suitable for a military post. In July 1902, the Army announced plans to build a cantonment area and station one infantry regiment at Monterey. The 15th Infantry Regiment, which had fought in China and the Philippines, arrived in Monterey in September 1902 and began building the cantonment area. The 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, “Buffalo Soldiers,” arrived shortly thereafter.

In 1902, the name of the cantonment area was the Monterey Military Reservation. It was changed to Ord Barracks on July 13, 1903, and to the Presidio of Monterey on Aug. 30, 1904. Various infantry regiments rotated through the Presidio of Monterey, including the 15th Infantry (1902-1906), 20th Infantry (1906-1909), and 12th Infantry (1909-1917), frequently with supporting cavalry and artillery elements. The Army School of Musketry, the forerunner of the Infantry School, operated at the Presidio of Monterey from 1907 to 1913. In 1917, the U.S. War Department purchased a nearby parcel of 15,609.5 acres of land, called the Giggling Reservation, to use as training areas for Presidio of Monterey troops. This post, supplemented by additional acreage, was renamed Fort Ord on Aug.15,1940.

The 11th Cavalry Regiment was posted at the Presidio from 1919 to 1940, and the 2nd Battalion, 76th Field Artillery Regiment, from 1922 to 1940. During the summer months, Presidio soldiers organized and led Civilian Conservation Corps, Citizens’ Military Training Corps and Reserve Officer Training Corps camps in the local area.

In 1940, the Presidio became the temporary headquarters of the III Corps, and served as a reception center until 1944. Declared inactive in late 1944, the Presidio was reopened in 1945 and served as a Civil Affairs Staging and Holding Area for civil affairs soldiers preparing for the occupation of Japan.

In 1946 the Military Intelligence Service Language School was moved to the Presidio of Monterey. It added Russian, Chinese, Korean, Arabic and six other languages to its curriculum, and was renamed the Army Language School (ALS) in 1947. The size of the faculty and student classes and number of languages taught increased throughout the Cold War years.

Directions

Directions from North

Use Highway 101 South to the Monterey Peninsula exit near Prunedale (Highway 156 West). This five-mile road leads to Highway 1 South.

At the mouth of the Monterey Bay, Highway 1 South travels on the outskirts of Marina and Seaside, as well as the former Fort Ord, now called the Ord Military Community (OMC).

Continue along Highway 1 South until just south of the Seaside city limits; then take the Del Monte exit. Follow Del Monte until you approach the Fisherman’s Wharf intersection.

At this point there are two choices to get to the installation:

Move to the left lane at the Fisherman’s Wharf intersection. Follow straight ahead, passing the Portola Plaza Hotel of Monterey (on your right). At Pacific Street turn left. Go one block, turn right and go up Franklin Street. At the crest of the hill you’ll be entering the Presidio of Monterey at the Franklin Street Gate.
Move to the right lane at the Fisherman’s Wharf intersection and follow the signs to Cannery Row. Go through the tunnel and then get into the right lane. Veer right onto Foam Street. Take the first left turn. Then take an immediate left again onto Lighthouse Avenue (because you can’t make a left from Lighthouse onto Pvt. Bolio road). Turn right onto Pvt. Bolio Road. It will take you onto the Presidio via Pvt. Bolio Road.

Directions from South

Use Highway 101 to Salinas. Follow Highway 68 signs to Monterey Peninsula/Highway 1 to the Pacific Grove City/17-Mile Drive turnoff (Highway 68). Turn right. Follow Highway 68 to Prescott Avenue. Turn right on Prescott Avenue.

At the first traffic light, turn right on Taylor Street. Within one block’s distance you’ll enter the Presidio through the Taylor Street Gate.

Gate and Hours

Gate Hours

Pvt. Bolio Gate: Mon-Sun / Open 24/7

Bolio Visitor’s Center: Mon-Fri / 0400 -2000

Franklin Gate: Mon-Fri / 0600 – 1800 Weekends & Holidays Closed

Taylor Gate: Mon-Fri/ 0700 – 2000 Inbound / 1600 – 1800 Outbound Weekends Closed

Quick Reference

Chapel
Presidio of Monterey Chapel
Bldg 325, Stillwell Road
(831) 242-5281/5233

Catholic
Munakata Hall Bldg 610,Rm 134
Muslim Chapel Activities Center, Bldg 324, Rm 215
ORD Military Community Chapel
Bldg 4280, General Jim Moore Blvd.

Dining Facility
Combs Hall
(831) 242-5384
Belas Hall
(831) 242-5008

Education

Bldg 636 B. Rifle Range Road, Presidio of Monterey, 93944
Hours: Monday – Thursday 8am – 5pm, Friday 9am – 5pm. Closed daily 1pm -2pm.
(831) 242-5325
DSN: 768-5325
Fax: (831) 242-6817
Email: USARMY.PoM.106-Sig-Bde.List.PRES-EDCTR@mail.mil

Equal Opportunity
Commercial
(831) 242-5442/4431
DSN: (831) 768-5442/4431

Family Advocacy
Bldg 4260, OMC
(831) 242-7589

Military and Family Readiness
Mrs. Debbie Simpson the 229th Family Readiness Assistant,
building 614, suite 209
(831) 242-6677

Public Affairs

1759 Lewis Rd.
Monterey, CA 93944
presidiopao@gmail.com
(831) 242-5555

Fire Emergency Service
POM Police Department
(831) 242-7851

Finance

Defense Military Pay Office
Presidio of Monterey, Calif.
412 Rifle Range Road
Building 616, Taylor Hall
(831) 242-4783

Housing
Bldg 4260, OMC
(831) 242-6904

Legal
Bldg 358, POM
(831) 242-5084

Post Office
Building 517 on Private Bolio Road.
Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and closed for lunch from 1 to 2 p.m.

Base Surroundings

Cannery Row
Cannery Row,
Monterey, CA 93940

Monterey County Youth Museum
425 Washington St,
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-6444

Dali 17 Museum
5 Custom House Plaza,
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 372-2608

Monterey’s Fish House
2114 Del Monte Ave,
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 373-4647

Montrio Bistro
414 Calle Principal,
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 648-8880

Del Monte Shopping Center
1410 Del Monte Center
(831) 372-4540

Century Cinemas at Del Monte Center
1700 Del Monte Center,
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 373-8051

Osio Theater
350 Alvarado St,
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 901-3119

Steinbeck Plaza
685 Cannery Row,
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-6690