21 Facts About Walter Colton

Reverend Walter Colton was an American clergyman and writer from Vermont who served as the first American Alcalde of Monterey, California.

Walter Colton worked as an editor for newspapers in Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, as a chaplain in the United States Navy and as co-publisher of California's first newspaper, The Californian, in 1846.

Walter Colton wrote several books about his travels to California and Europe.

Walter Colton was the third of 12 children born to Walter and Thankful Colton; his nephew John Jay Colton later became known as a pioneer of anesthesia.

Walter Colton attended Hartford Grammar School and entered Yale in the fall of 1818.

Walter Colton won the Berkeleyan Prize for the best Latin translation, and delivered the valedictory poem at his graduation in 1822.

Walter Colton entered Andover Theological Seminary and graduated in 1825.

Walter Colton became a professor of moral philosophy and letters at the Scientific and Military Academy at Middletown, Connecticut.

Walter Colton was elected to preach at a church attended by President Andrew Jackson.

Walter Colton was nominated chaplain of the West India Squadron in 1831 and visited ports throughout the world.

Walter Colton worked on several newspapers in Philadelphia during the 1840s including the North American.

Walter Colton was married to a Philadelphia woman of the same family name, and he sailed to the Pacific in 1845.

Walter Colton recorded the story of that eventful voyage in his book, Deck and Port.

Walter Colton had no legal education or experience but used his innate sense of fairness to render decisions.

Walter Colton held court armed with a revolver and bejeweled cane which were the symbols of authority for an alcalde.

Walter Colton served with wisdom and sound judgment in dealing with lawbreakers.

Walter Colton built Colton Hall for use as a town hall and school.

Walter Colton won wide acclaim as a fair judge and impaneled the first jury in California to assist in making decisions.

Walter Colton died in 1851 and was buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.

Walter Colton has been inducted into the California Newspaper Hall of Fame.

The Walter Colton Middle School, located some two miles uphill from Colton Hall, was named in his honor and is a part of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District.