Presidio of Monterey, Soldier Field, Monterey, Monterey County, CA

Significance: Soldier Field, established on the original Monterey military reservation, was laid out in 1902 as the parade ground for the Presidio of Monterey. The eight-acre parade and athletic competition grounds was planted in bermuda grass and drained by rock-lined ditches around its perimeter. Soldier Field was improved in 1935-1936 when Depression-era relief program crews leveled the sloping grounds into two separate fields, erected a reviewing stand, and built stone retaining walls with pilasters and a drainage system around its perimeter. Kit Carson Road was extended through the grounds at this time. During World War II, the field was partially paved and built over with a temporary reception center and barracks, later removed in 1975-76 (Jackson Research Projects [JRP} 1985). The rock wall, pilasters, and west ditch at Soldier Field were constructed during the Depression-era works projects, along with the extension of Kit Carson Road across the field. The east ditch was constructed when Soldier Field was initially laid out in 1902. All the features are significant for their association with military history in northern California, and with conservation work during the Depression. Soldier Field retains significant historical characteristics of the early Old Post-era and the Depression-era work projects.
Survey number: HABS CA-2666-A
Building/structure dates: 1902 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1936 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: ca. 1941 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1976 Subsequent Work