To the Editor:
As I picked up a copy of Monterey County’s publication, “The County of Monterey: 175 Years, A Brief Look at Our History,” I was looking forward to perhaps learning a little more about our county.
Once I got to the page about railroads, I was deeply disappointed. First, the photo of the San Miguel depot: San Miguel was never in Monterey County; South County depots were Bradley, San Ardo and San Lucas.
The railroad reached Soledad in October 1873. After 13 years, it was extended down the Salinas Valley, King City in July 1886, then through San Lucas and the first train arrived in San Ardo in August 1886, where Meyer Brandenstein held a big celebration at his ranch house. It reached San Miguel in October 1886.
While I’m writing, I’d like to bring up how Rancho San Bernabe is pronounced. Most people I hear say San Bern-ab-ee. It should be San Bern-a-bay, as in Renee. One must remember it was a Mexican land grant, so it would have Spanish language influence. In reading the early Monterey newspapers, you will see that at times it was spelled San Bernabay.
As one who has researched local history for over 40 years, I felt a need to bring up these two issues. Thanks for your understanding.
Howard P. Strohn
San Ardo
