Book Review: Image of America; Carmel-by-the-sea by Monica Hudson

Book Reviewed: Images of America; Carmel-by-the-sea by Monica Hudson

Title: A celebration of the history of Carmel-by-the-Sea

This book is a celebration of the history of beach community of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Some of the most picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean lies along the coastal region of this town and its surroundings that spread south towards Big Sur. Using the archival photographs, the book presents the distinctive stories from the past that shaped the character of the community today. There are many examples that one can cite from the book to makes an interesting comparison with the community today. I found the following photographs very interesting; A group of Carmel residents walking on the Carmel Beach on a foggy summer of 1915; the 1880 view of Carmel Bay and Santa Lucia Mountains; the Carmel mission as it stood on the day of Nov 4, 1879; a picture of Hotel Carmel in downtown taken in 1915; a 1908 picture of growing downtown at the Ocean Avenue. The 1914 photo of a cottage of Stanford Professor Stewart Young at the corner of Lincoln Street and Fourth Avenue; A 1913 picture of the community church at the corner of Lincoln and Seventh Avenue.

The first attempt to create the community at this location was made in 1771 by a Spanish born Franciscan priest. Later, a women's real estate investment company first coined the name Carmel-by-the-Sea. The village grew rapidly after 1906 San Francisco earthquake when refugees started arriving at the beach community of Carmel; construction grew in downtown area .The photograph of a post office in 1903 which expanded after the arrival of the refugees illustrates the effect of growth on the village.

There are some interesting pictures of Clint Eastwood during his 1986 campaign for the Mayor of Carmel. During this time, there was a general fear among long time residents that growth and tourism may change the community for ever. So protective measures were taken to prohibit glaring neon signs, no large hotels, shopping malls or major business constructions. The protective measures are still in force and the development is limited and it still retains the beauty and tranquility of a beach community. Traditionally the town attracted large number of artists, writers and academics from Stanford and Berkeley who made their homes here.

This is one of the great books of the Images of America Series published by Arcadia Publishers. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in Carmel.