Early buildings in Monterey were constructed of sun-dried mud blocks. Walls as thick as three feet were needed to support second story floors. These adobe buildings required plastering on exterior surfaces to keep out damaging winter rains.

In 1847, Gallant Dickinson introduced a new building technique to California – the art of fired clay brick making. Dickinson fired thousands of clay blocks into rock-hard bricks. He constructed one of the first fired brick buildings in the state. This method of construction enabled the construction of multiple-storied buildings while maintaining standard wall widths, was water resistant, and required little or no surface treatment.

However, Gallant never finished his Monterey home. He completed the portion that exists today, then left for the Sierra foothills in search of gold. The building later housed the head of Monterey’s first whale hunting operation, Captain John Davenport, and then a Spanish restaurant run by the beloved Monterey matriarch “Mama” Garcia. It is now part of the Monterey State Historic Park and contains displays of Monterey history. The kitchen has been restored to showcase how it looked when the building was used as Mama Garcia's restaurant.

Created with gouache paint on 140 lb. Legion hot pressed Stonehenge Black watercolor paper, this painting measures 3×2" and comes in a signed mat and frame that brings the overall size of the piece to 4.75x3.75”. It ships free.

Colors of original painting may be slightly different than what you see on your monitor screen. Artist signature, year of creation, and artwork title are included on back of painting. Copyrights remain with artist.