In 1942, the “Los Californios” mural was painted by artist Martin Hardy and given to the U.S. military. It was then placed at the Fort Ord soldiers’ club in Stilwell Hall where it stayed for several decades. In September 1999, that same mural was relocated from the coastal erosion-threatened hall and donated to Cal State Monterey Bay’s (CSUMB) University Center building, where it was carefully reconstructed.
According to CSUMB Spokesperson Walter Ryce, “The historic mural Los Californios by Merlin Hardy has been on permanent loan from the U.S. Army and displayed in the University Center (formerly Pomeroy Hall) since 1999. The University is still investigating what the cost and process would be to remove the mural, and how to fund such a project.”
The mural, while at one point celebrated during its installation and years after, has sparked discussion around the narrative it tells about the area we reside in and the period of time it depicts. The mural portrays a colonial Spanish fiesta, with richly dressed men and women in traditional clothing of the time. Depicting a period during the 1800s the scene is portrayed over the backdrop of a two-story Spanish building similar to the adobes located in Monterey.
To have an understanding of why the imagery of the mural could be harmful, we have to understand the history of the land we reside on, and the people who were here first. CSUMB is located on land that is indicated by archeological research, to have belonged to Indigenous people nearly 10,000 years ago. In 1542 the arrival of Europeans in Monterey, and the subsequent colonization of the area in 1770, led to erasure of the cultural heritage, and the roots that spread deep within the region from indigenous people here long before us.
According to the CSUMB website, “This mural, with its colonial themes and depictions of affluence, can evoke painful memories of this destructive period.” The page later goes on to discuss how the mural showcases a narrative of the times, that through the eyes of many does not accurately represent the struggles, and marginalization of groups of people living in the region. The mural can be seen as a representation of the imperialism that drove the subjugation and erasure of the cultures residing here before European colonization. The mural portrays a scene of wealth and power that is separate from the story of people who faced those centuries of marginalization and a loss of their land and culture. The mural comes together with these elements to hide the story of colonialism and perpetuates the imperialist mindset and worldview of the time.
The mural is deeply tied to the history of the land where CSUMB resides, reflecting not only the legacy of the Fort Ord military base but also the history and evolution of our campus itself. Since its creation in 1942, leading up to its pending removal in 2025, the mural serves as a representation of our area’s past, from the stewardship of the land by Indigenous peoples nearly 10,000 years ago to its present role as a place of learning and discovery for all students.