Curious about Monterey's history? Join local historian Tim Thomas as he explores Monterey’s rich past. Each Magical History Tour, Tim covers a new topic, sometimes inviting guests for conversation.

City of Monterey California November First,1875

A lecture with Historian, Tim Thomas

In the fall of 1875, a French artist by the name of Leon Trousset stepped off the passenger car of the Monterey Salinas Valley Railroad.  Upon his arrival at Monterey, he quickly immersed himself in the beauty of the area and began to paint and sketch with other Monterey artists. He also befriended fellow Frenchman and Monterey restaurateur, Jules Simoneau. Trossett would spend his evenings in Simoneau’s restaurant, the Bohemian Club Rendezvous where the motto was, “good cheer and good reception and meals at all hours.”  Being the preverbal “starving artist” that he was, he quickly produced the watercolor, City of Monterey California, November First, 1875. It is believed that Trousset planned to reproduce this painting as a poster to sell as a keepsake. For reasons unknown, the posters were never made, and the original painting was given to Jules Simoneau to settle a payment of $50 for the good times Trousset spent at his establishment.

However, for any historian looking at this painting today, there is so much happening in this one work of art, it should make them feel like they’ve gone back in time. And in the humble opinion of Monterey Historian, Tim Thomas, “the greatest Monterey Painting in Monterey history!”

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