Deetjen's Big Sur Inn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Deetjen's Big Sur Inn
|
|
.jpg) |
|
 Location in California
Location in the United States
|
|
| Nearest city | Big Sur, California |
|---|---|
| Architect | Helmuth Deetjen |
| Architectural style | American Craftsman |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001464 |
| Added to NRHP | September 13, 1990 |
Deetjen's Big Sur Inn is a special place in Big Sur, California. It's a collection of unique buildings, cozy cabins, and a restaurant. It was one of the very first places to offer visitors a place to stay and eat in Big Sur after Highway 1 opened in 1937.
The Inn was started by Helmuth Deetjen. He built cottages in other places first. He loved the Big Sur coast because it reminded him of his home country, Norway. In 1926, he bought some land and began building his own home. He met Helen Haight, and when Highway 1 was finished in 1937, they opened the Inn together. Helmuth managed the Inn until he passed away in 1972. After that, a special non-profit group took over running it. The Inn had to close after a big fire and some floods damaged parts of it. The foundation that owns the Inn is now working to get it ready to open again.
Contents
The Story of Deetjen's Inn
Helmuth Deetjen came from Bergen, Norway, and arrived in New York City around 1916. He worked in construction there. Later, he moved to Carmel, California. There, he met Helen Haight, who was a nurse. Helen was born in Georgia and had moved to California with her family. She had worked as a governess and a buyer for a big store. Both Helmuth and Helen loved the Big Sur area and often camped along the coast.
In 1926, Helmuth bought 6 acres of land in Castro Canyon. He filled in a dip in the land to make a flat spot for building. Then, he started building. Helmuth and Helen moved to Big Sur in the early 1930s. At first, they lived in a tent. Then, Helmuth built a large barn using old wood from a pier in Monterey.
He built several small cottages in a style that reminded him of Norway. They also bought more land, eventually owning 40 acres. Back then, it was common for people to welcome travelers. The trip along the old wagon road to Monterey could take up to three days!
In 1939, they added a restaurant. Helen ran it, and it became famous for its delicious food. Helmuth also made and sold beautiful hand-carved items like candlesticks and tables in a shop next to the restaurant. People in the area started calling them "Grandpa" and "Grandma." They officially got married in 1938.
One of the buildings, called the Hayloft, has special features. It includes glass that Helmuth made himself in King City. He brought the glass over the mountains to Big Sur using a mule! When Helmuth passed away in 1972, the Inn had 20 rooms and covered 55 acres. He wanted the state to take over the property. However, after some discussions, it was decided that a qualified non-profit group should manage it.
Deetjen's Inn Today
Today, the Inn and its buildings are managed by a non-profit group called Deetjen's Inc. The land and buildings are owned by the Deetjen's Big Sur Inn Preservation Foundation Inc. In 1990, the Inn was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
What It's Like to Stay There
The cottages and rooms at Deetjen's are simple and charming. They don't have modern things like televisions, telephones, Internet, or cell service. This helps visitors feel like they've stepped back in time. None of the 20 rooms are exactly alike. For example, "Grampa's" room has an old pump organ and a record player with the Deetjens' own music collection. "Stokes" room used to be a woodworking shop! Fifteen of the rooms have private bathrooms, and 11 have cozy fireplaces. When the Inn is open, room prices usually range from $115 to $290 per night.
Why the Inn Closed
The Inn had to close in 2017 because of the Soberanes Fire. After the fire, heavy winter floods caused more damage to several buildings. As of December 2020, the group that leases the Inn is working on plans and getting money to fix everything and reopen.
