Monterey is a city near the Pacific coast in northern California. It is located in Monterey County. As of 2000, the population was 29,674. The city calls itself "The Cradle of History." Monterey was the capital of California from 1777 to 1849, under the flags of Spain, Mexico, and the United States. It was also the site of the July 7, 1846 Battle of Monterey during the Mexican-American War. It was on this date that John D. Sloat, commodore in the United States Navy, raised the U.S. flag over the Monterey Customs House and claimed California for the United States. For much of the city's history it was famous for the successful fishery in Monterey Bay. That changed in the 1950s, when the local fishery business collapsed. The famous Cannery Row has now been turned into a tourist attraction, with restaurants and shops in the historical site. The city is now famous for its abundant sea habitat, including kelp seaweed forests, sea otters and sea lions. It has one of the largest aquariums in North America, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and hosts several important marine science laboratories. Monterey's geographic location gives scientists access to the deep sea within hours. Just miles off the shores of Monterey is Monterey Canyon, an underwater canyon two miles deep. The Larkin House, a part of the Monterey State Historic Park and a National Historic Landmark, was built in the Mexican period by Thomas Oliver Larkin and is an early example of Monterey Colonial architecture. The Old Customhouse, the Old Town Historic District, and the Royal Presidio Chapel are also National Historic Landmarks.