AS THE POPULATION OF California boomed in the late 19th century, county medical infrastructure also began to take shape. Natividad Medical Center, Monterey County’s first public hospital, opened in 1886. This first 69bed hospital cost $4,000 to complete and sat on a 62-acre parcel—the same site of the current Natividad hospital. The growing needs of Monterey County prompted an overhaul of this first hospital within 50 years of its initial construction. In 1928, a replacement hospital was built, including specialized units for long-term care and tuberculosis patients. Additional developments to Natividad would continue for the rest of the century, meeting the evolving needs of Monterey County residents. The hospital would later add 113 more beds, a mental health unit and a 12-bed Level II nursery. 1940s 1942 3,500 Japanese residents of Monterey County are relocated to internment camps President Franklin D. Roosevelt establishes the Bracero program by executive order 1947 Monterey County Water Resources Agency forms Monterey Peninsula College’s first classes begin at Monterey High School 1940s Recruitment of Mexican farmworkers resumes for another wartime labor effort 250,000 tons harvested by canneries per season makes Monterey the “Sardine Capital of the World” 1946 Monterey County Disaster Council certified by the California State Disaster Council 1948 Hartnell College opens in Salinas Photos courtesy of the County of Monterey Health Department
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