Sardine Capital of the World: Part I

Cannery Row's early history was established, as its name implies, as a turn-of-the-20th Century fishing harbor. During the late 1800's and early 1900's, sardines were being caught in Monterey Bay and packaged by canneries along the waterfront of Monterey. Demand for sardines increased during World War I, and the industry experienced a boom. During World War II Monterey was called the "Sardine Capitol of the World," but within five years the fish were gone and the industry died. It was during this period that Steinbeck wrote Cannery Row, telling the story of a derelict neighborhood through the eyes of a mischievious band of vagrants. Cannery Row's heritage is well preserved on modern-day Cannery Row, but the once depressed row has been transformed into a neighborhood of shops, restaurants and oceanside hotels.
Part one of two
Directed by Eric Palmer
Communications & Outreach
City of Monterey
www.monterey.org

[@SuperOlds88]

Like anything people take from the oceans, eventually they just magically disappear.

[@stephlmt123]

My great grandfather John Leandro used to be on those fishing boats. Nice work. My great aunt Del was very colorful stories of her life on Cannery Row.My Grandfather & Grandmother started Nichols Plumbing on Wave street one street above Cannery Row.

[@cityofmonterey]

Thanks for your comment! I wish I was around to see Cannery Row's industrial heyday and the busy fishing ports of the wharves. I enjoy looking at the photos and hearing the stories from long-time residents. -Eric

[@steveearnshaw2216]

Debbie Nichols was a classmate at Carmel Mission in the 1960’s.

[@VintageCharms]

My dad claims that Steinbeck wrote about a family member in Cannery Row. Our last name is Carriaga 😊

[@ashokrpour1]

Where can I find part 2 of this video?

[@windos54]

The Aquarium made Monterey A Tourist Trap City Too Many People Heavy Traffic. Expensive Food and Novelties . I still Have Not Been In It and Never Will I am a Native Monterey Born Man. My Father Fished the Bay for Sardines

[@marcmorales6873]

cannery row is a non-fiction book not a fiction book 1:26

[@OnePost909]

That is simply not true.

[@v.mollner6911]

The locations were real and the characters were based on real people BUT the story was NOT based on a true story. The story came from Steinbeck's imagination.

[@TheKaffeeKlatsch]

Who cares, he was a communist.