Read more
From the Ventana Wilderness, the Carmel River descends 36 miles through steep canyons into the spreading Carmel Valley. Rain-gorged in spring, it rushes to the Pacific Ocean at Carmel Bay. In summer, shallow riverbanks welcome deer, mountain lions, and waterfowl. For millennia, indigenous tribes fished along the river, which was discovered in 1602 by Sebastian de Vizcaino. He called the waterway El Rio del Carmelo, describing it as lined with black poplars and other trees of Castile. Ranches, dairies, and orchards thrived under Spanish, Mexican, and finally, American flags. The Carmel River, like the valley it defines, has accommodated native, farmer, resident, and now the vacationer as it flows along through time. Today, vineyards, tasting rooms, boutiques, and resorts decorate the rural landscape, beckoning visitors and locals alike. Enjoy the rich history of the Carmel Valley in this collection of 15 historic black-and-white postcards.
About the author
Writer Elizabeth Barratt, a fourth-generation Californian, is a founding member of the Carmel Valley Historical Society. Her regular columns and feature articles have appeared for the past 30 years in numerous Central Coast publications. This pictorial chronicle is drawn from the archives of the Carmel Valley Historical Society, Harrison Memorial Library, the Monterey Public Library's local history collection, and from the albums of pioneer Carmel Valley families, history buffs, and generous friends.
