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A new historic sign program coming to Monterey highlighting significant buildings along Commercial Avenue.
Cultural Administrator Rafferty Cleary said the initiative is in honor of Chris Walker. A local business owner who passed away last year.
“There were donations made to his family after his passing that were then turned over to the Monterey Depot Historical Society,” Cleary said. “Chris was an avid history lover and an avid supporter of the Monterey Depot Museum.”
Cleary said the Walker family donated the funds to the Depot Society which lead to the creation of the Chris Walker Memorial Fund: Historic Signs Project. Cleary said 12 signs have been made with about eight installed so far.
“Chris loved history, so the idea behind this is to put these signs up and get people’s interest and get them walking down the sidewalks and checking out the history of each building,” Cleary said. “Then hopefully venturing inside and making purchases at the different stores along Commercial Avenue.”
The signs include an original photo of the building, a historic description and an emblem of Walker’s business. Cleary said the old Monterey hospital, the Cup and Saucer and Phillip’s Shoe Store are a few buildings that will be recognized.
“Commercial Avenue has always been the hot spot in Monterey ever since its beginning,” Cleary said. “We have photos of Commercial Avenue when it was just dirt roads. There is some significant history down that street.”
