20 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 22-28, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com tion the California State Legislature for passage of the law. On June 19, 1931, Gov. James Rolf signed the law into effect. A year later, the P.G. council passed an ordinance that was a local version of the act. With this legal authority, Platt was able to create what Palumbi and Sotka called “a trust fund for future residents of Monterey Bay,” by establishing two protected areas off the coast. She designed the Hopkins Marine Life Refuge along with the Pacific Grove Marine Gardens along the city’s coast. In doing so, she stopped the possible creep of further industrialization of the rest off the coastline, starting after the Hovden Cannery, now the Monterey Bay Aquarium, next door to Hopkins. “Both of these were unprecedented at the time,” Palumbi says. Platt’s vision, in 1931, was that these protected areas would become the nursery from which you could propagate sea life to help restore the rest of the bay. “She created a legacy for the future,” he says. The bay eventually recovered ecologically, and in 1992 the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary was created, stretching 276 miles from Marin County to Cambria. The Hopkins Marine Life Refuge and Pacific Grove Marine Gardens were combined in 2007 under the California Marine Life Protection Act, and renamed the Lovers Point Marine Life Refuge. Another refuge was created outside of the Aquarium, named after marine biologist Ed Ricketts. Local marine scientists thought that naming a protected area after Ricketts—who supported his family by collecting and selling specimens from P.G.’s coastline and never advocated for setting aside protected areas—was unfair, Palumbi says. They requested the state rename the refuge after Platt. On Oct. 1, 2014, the area officially became the Lovers Point-Julia Platt State Marine Reserve. Platt completed her term as mayor in 1933. She died of a heart attack on May 31, 1935, at the age of 78. It was the year after her son Harold had married at Platt’s Ocean View home, when he was around 29 years old. Platt’s will stated that she wanted to be buried at sea, which at that time meant 12 miles offshore. Her body was wrapped in canvas and placed in a wicker basket covered with flowers, fitting for her many years of beautifying her adopted hometown. The custom was for city councilmembers to accompany the body of a mayor to their final resting place, so the P.G. City Council boarded the motor boat The Two Brothers with Platt’s body and headed out to sea, as described by Palumbi and Sotka based on historic reports. The waves were choppy and a few councilmembers reportedly were seasick, with some wishing they could trade places with Platt. Some accounts quip that it was an outspoken Platt getting in the last word with the council. When they reached their destination, they affixed a 50-pound metal wheel to her chest and put her in the water feet first. “Accounts say that her body bobbed to the surface once, with her head above water, as if she were taking one last look at her beloved coastline,” Palumbi and Sotka wrote. Harold Platt had a bronze plaque in granite stone dedicated at Lovers Point, within view of her home Roserox. “In memory of Julia Platt; In recognition of her unfailing loyalty to the right in the interest of humanity.” ( Sadly, Harold and his new bride were killed in an auto accident the next year. Roserox was sold by her estate and Platt’s money was left to the children of her sister Clara.) There is a lesson of hope from Platt’s life, Palumbi says. If people are willing to work toward making things better, they can make a difference that last generations into the future. “That’s one of the lessons I take from Julia,” he says. When Palumbi feels overwhelmed by big problems like climate change or kelp forest restoration, he remembers Platt, who saw a problem too big for her to solve, so she devised a plan to make a difference where she could. In his work, he now focuses on saving what can be saved, to help the planet recover later. “I’m doing a Julia,” he says. “Bang, bang, and two dead chickens were thrown over the fence.” ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES Stop By To Shop And Find Your Vintage Treasure OVER 100 DEALERS 21,000 SQUARE FEET The Largest Antiques and Collectibles Mall on the Central Coast 471 WAVE STREET MONTEREY (831) 655-0264 P M canneryrowantiquemall.com Open Daily 11am-6pm ’23 Voted Monterey County's Best Antique Shop ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ Baccarat FULL BAR! BLACKJACK BONUS POINTS PAYS UP TO $20,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • Gega-003846, Gega-Gega-003703, Gega-000889 Gega-000891 Gega-002838 The Marina Club Casino ensures the safety and security of all guests and team members at all times, while providing exceptional service. 204 Carmel Ave. Marina 831-384-0925 casinomonterey.com ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Just minutes from Downtown Monterey Where Monterey Comes To Play
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