Fred Ruhl

Outlands in the Eighty Acres, also known as Flanders Mansion is an 8,000-square-foot Tudor Revival house. It is significant as a work of architect Henry Higby Gutterson, and for its innovative construction with light grey interlocking Precast concrete blocks. It is one of the earliest architect designed residences in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and the only known example of work by Gutterson in the region. It is located within the Mission Trail Nature Preserve in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 23, 1989.

History

Paul and Grace Flanders, married in 1920, came to Carmel in 1922, to build a home and start a business in real estate development. They purchased 80 acres of land from Dr. Daniel T. MacDougal. Flanders designed a two-story home, which they named the ''Outlands'' at 25800 Hatton Road, located on a hill overlooking the Carmel Mission, and Point Lobos.

The Flander's were one of the first Carmelites to hire an outside architect, Henry Higby Gutterson, to design and contractor Fred Ruhl to build their residence. The home lies at the end of a driveway off Hatton Road surrounded by upper end of the Mission Trail Nature Preserve. The "Outlands" English cottage design was one of the first use of this style of residential architecture in Carmel By-the-Sea. The construction with light grey interlocking Precast concrete blocks that were advertised as "fireproof, waterproof and practically everlasting."

In 1972, Mayor Gunnar Norberg mounted the "Save the Flanders Estate' campaign. As vice-mayor, he persuaded the City of Carmel to purchase the Flanders mansion and adjoining from the Flanders heirs for $275,000 (). It has become part of the 34-acre Mission Trail Nature Preserve. The non-profit organization Flanders Foundation was formed in 1998 to oversee the city owned the mansion and Mission Trail Nature Preserve.

One of the things former mayor Clint Eastwood was elected on in 1986 was tearing the mansion down because it was not making any money for the city after it was purchased by them in 1971.

The Carmel Art Institute was relocated to the Flanders Mansion, where the Institute continued to operate under John Cunningham.

The non-profit organization Flanders Foundation was formed in 1998 to preserve, enhance, and maintain the city owned the Flanders Mansion and Mission Trail Nature Preserve.

See also

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Monterey County, California

References

External links

Outlands in the Eighty Acres

Office of Historic Preservation

Mission Trail Nature Preserve

{{DEFAULTSORT:Outlands in the Eighty Acres
Buildings and structures in Monterey County, California
Buildings and structures in California
1925 establishments in California
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California