Carmel-by-the-Sea
A Village Built by Artists (1902–present) · Monterey County
Carmel-by-the-Sea was deliberately founded as an artists' and writers' colony in 1902. Its founders subdivided the land and sold lots cheaply to teachers, writers, and bohemian intellectuals. The village has no street address numbering system, no parking meters, no chain restaurants, and — by municipal ordinance — no streetlights. It remains one of the most distinctive communities in America.
Timeline
Mission San Carlos Borromeo
Father Junípero Serra moves the original Monterey mission to a location near the Carmel River, founding Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Río Carmelo. Serra would make this his headquarters and is buried here. The basilica is one of the most beautifully restored missions in California.
The Artists' Colony Founded
Developer J.F. Devendorf and Frank Powers establish Carmel-by-the-Sea as an arts community, selling lots at low prices to attract an intellectual class. Early residents include poet George Sterling, writers Mary Austin and Sinclair Lewis, and photographer Arnold Genthe.
The San Francisco Earthquake Influx
Following the April 1906 San Francisco earthquake, many artists and writers flee the destroyed city to Carmel, swelling the colony with creative talent. The village's bohemian character solidifies in these years with regular artistic gatherings and outdoor theatrics.
Clint Eastwood Elected Mayor
Actor and director Clint Eastwood, a Carmel resident, runs for mayor on a platform opposing a proposed development ordinance and wins. He serves one two-year term (1986–1988), becoming one of the most famous mayors in American small-town history.
Then & Now
Archive photos paired with the same place today.
Visit these historical sites
Real places in our directory connected to Carmel-by-the-Sea.
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