In the fall of 1931, the City Council of Carmel received a very unusual request: permission to establish a nudist colony. The Society of the Sun, under the leadership of Madam Mathilde Baumgartner, wished to lease a secluded part of the forest in Carmel for their branch of the Society of the Sun. The group, made up of twelve members already living in Carmel, planned to erect an 8 ft. tall fence around the property and wished to adhere to any known city rules in such a matter to avoid police interference. The City Council was a bit flummoxed as to what to do and turned it over to the city attorney Argyll Campbell for advice as to how to proceed. Campbell advised that the nudist colony could exist as long members of the group remained indoors, and was charged by the mayor to investigate the matter further.You can read the article from the Pine Cone, November 6, 1931, page 2, in full to the left. It is still unclear whether the colony was established, and if so how long they remained. Perhaps the Society of the Sun is still in our midst!
Yes...that "Society of the Sun" nudist camp DOES still exist. No joke...the eight-foot-wall surrounds the entire block of 4th, Guadelupe, 5th, and Santa Rita. However, the "nudists" are gone and there are houses in their place. The main gateway was/is off of 4th Avenue...and today that gateway leads to an interior street. You can see interesting iron work from the early 1930's style at this gate.
ReplyDeleteTim Blomgren
That's so interesting! I'll drive by on my way home from work tonight. Thanks Tim!
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