At one time, the Custom House presided over Mexico's primary port of entry on the Alta California coast. It was here that Commodore John Drake Sloat raised the American flag in July 1846, claiming over 600,000 square miles of territory for the United States. This territory later was included in all or portions of the states of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, California and New Mexico. As an early capital under Spanish and Mexican rule, Monterey is filled with showcase historic buildings and sites, as its museum and educational exhibits can attest. The Custom House Store operated by the Monterey State Historic Park Association is open from 10am to 4pm daily.