How a New York doctor turned a California resort dream into a military hub
In short: In 1888, Dr. John L. D. Roberts purchased 160 acres near Monterey to build a resort community called East Monterey. By 1910, he invited the US Army to establish Camp Gigling on his land, fundamentally shifting the town’s trajectory from a seaside retreat to a critical military and educational center.
The transformation of Seaside began with Dr. John L. D. Roberts, a New Yorker who acquired land from his uncle, David Houghton, to develop a resort destination. By 1899, the community had been renamed Seaside, and by 1891, it featured a post office and a stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad. However, the town's identity was permanently altered in 1910 when Roberts invited the military to set up Camp Gigling, which eventually became the expansive Fort Ord military base.
The military presence defined the region for decades, influencing everything from local infrastructure to recreational landmarks. The Bayonet Golf Course, established in 1954 on the base, was named after the 7th Infantry Division. Its design was reportedly influenced by the commanding officer Major General Robert B. McClure, who struggled with a severe slice; the course features doglegs known as 'Combat Corner' to accommodate his play style. The Black Horse course followed in 1964, named for the 11th Cavalry.
Following the closure of the base, the site evolved into a hub for education and public service. Today, it hosts California State University, Monterey Bay, the Monterey College of Law, and the Defense Manpower Data Center. The former military grounds also house the Bayonet and Black Horse golf courses, which were purchased by the City of Seaside in 1997 and opened to the public, eventually hosting the 2012 PGA Professional National Championship. The area also serves as the gateway to the Fort Ord National Monument, established in 2012.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Seaside, California
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