Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board agrees to proceed with reinstallation of Anza National Historic Trail auto‑tour signs after debate over historic framing
Summary
The board directed staff to execute a letter of intent with the National Park Service to reinstall 14 auto‑tour signs marking the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail in Monterey County. The decision prompted public comment and debate about presenting colonial history honestly; supervisors said the signs can be a teaching tool.
The Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted Sept. 30 to move forward with a county partnership with the National Park Service to reinstall official auto‑tour signs for the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail on county roads.
Public works staff said the National Park Service identified 14 sign locations within the county and that the county would sign a letter of intent, complete site reviews, follow local and state permitting and install California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD)‑approved signs. Staff estimated about $15,000 in county staff time, materials and hardware to install signs; because the signs would be in the county road right‑of‑way they are eligible for county road fund usage.
Board action: Supervisor Lopez moved to proceed with executing the referral as outlined by staff. The motion passed unanimously.
Debate and public comment: The plan prompted public comment from Native American advocates who said replacing commemorative signs for a Spanish colonial expedition risks celebrating an invasion. Commenter Nina Beatty said she was "opposed to partnering with National Park Service in this" and that signage risked glossing over harm to Indigenous communities.
Supervisor Lopez and others said installing signs offers a chance for fuller public education about the expedition’s complexity and harms. Lopez said the signs will enable discussions with younger residents about the contested history and that National Park Service staff had acknowledged the expedition included "spats of violence" and other harms.
Signs and interpretation: Staff noted the auto‑tour signs are intended to guide motorists; the county will discuss with the National Park Service whether supplementary visitor hubs or a QR code linking to fuller interpretation are possible. Supervisors asked staff to confirm tribal outreach and include links to educational materials produced collaboratively by the National Park Service and tribal and tourism partners.
Next steps: Staff will execute the letter of intent, review specific locations in the site management plan, run required permitting and provide an update to the board by Dec. 31, 2025.
Ending: The board approved staff moving forward while stressing that signage should not whitewash history and should be paired with richer interpretive resources for the public.
