Ernest Bixler

Ernest Samuel Bixler (April 11, 1898 – June 16, 1978), also known locally as Ernest Bixler, was a prominent master builder and designer in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. He had a significant influence on the character and architecture of the Village of Carmel during his career. From the 1930s to 1950s, he built over 80 homes in the Carmel area, three on Scenic Road. He served as postmaster and was a member of the Carmel Planning Commission.[1][2][3]

Ernest Bixler
Ernest Samuel Bixler (1898 –1978)
Born
Ernest Samuel Bixler

April 11, 1898
Eureka Springs, Arkansas, US
Died16 June 1978(1978-06-16) (aged 80)
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, US
OccupationBuilder
Spouses
Ruth Goddard
​
​
(m. 1924; div. 1956)​
    Wilma Podesto
    ​
    (m. 1956)​
    Children2

    Early life

    Bixler was born on April 1898 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. His father was Harrison Edward Bixler Sr. (1866-1964), and his mother was Lura Edna Quick (1866-1953). His father came to San Francisco by riverboat from Sacramento to help rebuild the city after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.[4] He had two brothers and three sisters. His twin brother Richard E. Bixler, was also a contractor. Bixler was married to Ruth Goddard (1900-1987), an astrologer, on August 20, 1924, in San Joaquin, California. They had two children together.[5][1][2] He married a second time, at age 58, to Wilma Podesto, age 46, on July 24, 1956 in San Diego, California.[6]

    Before World War I, Bixler migrated to California from Arkansas. He joined the United States Army in 1918 and served in the military.[3]

    Professional background
    Enchanted Oaks Building, Carmel-by-the-Sea

    Upon his return home following the war, Bixler partnered with his father in the building contracting business and received training as a carpenter in Oakland, California.[7][3] He worked in the East Bay before coming to the in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California in 1928.[3] During the Great Depression in the United States, Bixler worked as a carpenter for $4 to $6 dollars a day.[8][2]

    The Enchanted Oaks Building, was built in 1927, by Bixler with the design work done by architect Samuel J. Miller. The structure is recognized as an important commercial building in the city's Downtown Conservation District Historic Property Survey, and was nominated and submitted to the California Register of Historical Resources on January 29, 2003 by Kent L. Seavey.[3][9]

    In 1930, Bixler designed and built the Mrs. Glenn Myers House, a Tudor Revival-style house on Carmelo Street 3NW of 13th Avenue. San Francisco concert singer, philanthropist, and patron of the arts, Noël Sullivan lived there in the 1930s, and his friend, poet Langston Hughes wrote, The Ways of White Folks, a collection of short stories there in 1933.[10]: p58 

    In the 1930s, Bixler became known for building Spanish Eclectic-style homes. Good examples of this architectural style by Bixler are the Ten Winkel Spanish House (1930) on San Antonio Avenue 2SE of 4th Avenue, and the George E. Butler House (1936) on the northeast corner of Scenic Road and 8th Avenue. During his tenure as mayor, Horace D. Lyon resided in this house.[10]

    T. J. Brennan House, built by Ernest Bixler, under renovation in 2022.

    In 1936, Bixler built a large two-story wood-framed and Carmel-stone veneer Tudor-style house for Dr. T.J. Brennan. It is at the northeast corner of 26097 Scenic Road and Martin Way, overlooking Carmel Point and Carmel Bay. The house remained unoccupied for an extended period and eventually fell into a state of disrepair. However, in 2019, restoration work commenced to bring back the beauty of this residence.[10]: p33 [11][2]: p56 

    Bixler's personal residence in Carmel was a California Ranch-style building with a hipped roof. According to City Directories, Bixler lived in Carmel at the southwest corner of 11th Avenue and Junipero between 1947 and 1963.[7] He was a member of the Carmel Lions Cub, Sons In Retirement, and the Rancho Cañada Golf Club.[1]

    Bixler played a significant role in designing and constructing homes in Carmel and Pebble Beach, California until 1939, when he was appointed as Carmel's Postmaster. He was Postmaster from 1939 to 1951.[3][12][2][7]

    During World War II he was chief petty officer in the Seabee (United States Naval Construction Battalions) stationed in Rhode Island, Philippines, and Australia.[13] While at Seabee he wrote a letter to the Carmel Pine Cone, talking about a 36 hour liberty to Boston where he said: "It is rich in old English architecture of which churches are the best examples. The historical value is unsurpassed, and contrary to common belief I found the people there very friendly and congenial."[14] After the war, he held a seat on the Carmel Planning Commission from 1956 to 1952.[7]

    In 1951, he returned to contracting until his retirement in 1966.[3][15][7] By 1965, in his 35-year career, he had built more than 80 homes in Carmel.[2][10][1][8] On April 11, 1978, Bixler and his twin brother, Richard, marked their 80th birthday celebration at the Pine Inn in Carmel.[1]

    Works
    • Enchanted Oaks Building (1927)[9]
    • Mrs. Glenn Myers House (1930)[10]: p58 
    • LaFrenz House or The Arbors (1931)[3]
    • L.A. Williams Cottage (1932)[16]
    • Ten Winkel Spanish House (1930)[10]: p23 
    • Alice Elder House & Guest House (1932)[10]: p56 
    • George E. Butler House or Lanakai (1933)[10]: p28 
    • Colonial Terrace Inn (1936)[3]
    • Dr. T.J. Brennan House (1936)[10]: p33 

    Death

    Bixler passed away at the age of 80 on June 16, 1978, at his residence in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, where he had resided for over 50 years. Memorial services were conducted at the Carmel Mission Chapel, and he was laid to rest at the Chapel of the Chimes Columbarium and Mausoleum in Oakland, California.[1][5]

    See also

    References
    1. "Ernest Bixler". Carmel Pine Cone. Carmel-by-the-Sea. 1978-06-22. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
    2. Watkins, Lisa Crawford (2015). Legendary Locals of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Arcadia Publishing Incorporated. p. 56. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
    3. Kent L. Seavey (January 29, 2003). "Department Of Parks And Recreation" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
    4. "Harrison Bixler". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. March 11, 1964. p. 36. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
    5. "Historical Information for Ernest Samuel Bixler". FamilySearch. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
    6. "California, Marriage Index, 1949-1959". FamilySearch. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
    7. Grimes, Teresa; Heumann, Leslie. "Historic Context Statement Carmel-by-the-Sea" (PDF). Leslie Heumann and Associates1994. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
    8. Seavey, Kent (2007). Carmel, A History in Architecture. Arcadia Publishing. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. pp. 61, 91. ISBN 9780738547053. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
    9. Dramov, Alissandra (2019). Historic Buildings of Downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea. Arcadia Publishing. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. p. 63. ISBN 9781467103039. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
    10. Dramov, Alissandra; Momboisse, Lynn A. (2016). Historic Homes and Inns of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Arcadia Publishing. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. pp. 23, 63. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
    11. "New Home To Be Erected For Dr. and Mrs. Brennan". Carmel Pine Cone. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. 1936-04-03. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
    12. "P. M.'s Confirmed". Santa Maria Times. Santa Maria, California. 16 Jan 1940. p. 4. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
    13. "Oakland Couple, 78, Fete Folden Wedding". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. December 20, 1944. p. 12. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
    14. "Carmel's Seabee Postmaster Writes Home". Carmel Pine Cone. Carmel-by-the-Sea. 1943-05-28. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
    15. Hale, Sharron Lee (1980). A Tribute to Yesterday: The History of Carmel, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, Point Lobos, Carmelite Monastery, and Los Burros. Valley Publishers. Santa Cruz, California. pp. 39, 87. ISBN 9780913548738. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
    16. "Carmel Inventory Of Historic Resources Database" (PDF). City Of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
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