Notleys Landing, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Notleys Landing
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Notleys Landing, Big Sur. in 1914
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 Notleys Landing
Location in California
Notleys Landing
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Monterey County |
| Elevation | 112 ft (34 m) |
Notleys Landing (sometimes called Notley's Landing) is a historic place in the beautiful Big Sur area of Monterey County, California. It used to be a small community, or hamlet, but no one lives there now. It is located near the entrance of the Palo Colorado Canyon, about 11 miles (18 km) south of the Carmel River. Notleys Landing sits at an elevation of 112 feet (34 meters) above sea level.
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History of Notleys Landing
Notleys Landing was once a busy spot, especially for shipping goods. The first people to settle here and claim land were called homesteaders. Some of the early homesteaders included George Notley, who arrived in 1896, and his brother William F. Notley, who came in 1901. Other important settlers were Isaac N. Swetnam and Samuel L. Trotter. Swetnam received an official document, called a land patent, for his property near the Little Sur River in 1894.
Early Industries and Shipping
The Notley brothers were involved in the lumber business. They harvested redwood trees in the Santa Cruz area and later expanded their work to include tanbark from the mountains around Palo Colorado Canyon. Tanbark is the bark of certain trees, like oak, which was used to make leather.
Isaac Swetnam and Samuel Trotter worked for the Notley brothers. Swetnam later married Ellen J. Lawson and bought the Notley family home at the mouth of Palo Colorado Canyon. This house still stands today! Swetnam also built two cabins and a small barn on his land near the Little Sur River. This area later became the site of the Pico Blanco Boy Scout camp.
The G.C. Notley company owned ships to transport their goods. They had a schooner named Confianza and another ship called the Acme. These ships would pick up cargo at Notleys Landing. For example, in 1904, they shipped 400 cords of tanbark to San Francisco.
The Landing and Its Decline
William and Godfrey Notley built a special landing area to load ships with lumber and receive supplies. This landing was very active between 1903 and 1907. A small community grew around it for a few years. However, as the supply of redwood and tanbark became harder to find, the landing was used less and less. It was a type of dog-hole port, which means it was a small, often dangerous port where ships had to squeeze into tight spaces. The landing was finally abandoned in 1937 when the famous Highway 1 was finished, making it easier to transport goods by road.
Notleys Landing During Prohibition
During a time in American history called Prohibition, it was illegal to make, sell, or transport alcohol. Notleys Landing became a place where people could gather. There was a dance hall just south of the landing. According to local historian Jeff Norman, this spot was known for being very lively. It was close enough to the town of Carmel for people to visit, but far enough away to avoid too much attention from the police.
What Remains Today
Today, most of the buildings that once stood at Notleys Landing are gone, either burned down or taken apart. However, the old Swetnam cabin is still there. You can also still see the concrete foundation of the hoist, which was a machine used to lift heavy cargo onto the ships.
Notleys Landing Today
In 2001, the Big Sur Land Trust, a group that works to protect natural areas, bought the Notleys Landing site. The site is about 6 acres (2.4 hectares) in size. They bought it for almost $1 million from the Ulman family, who had owned the land for many decades. The Land Trust received help from several foundations to buy the property.
The Big Sur Land Trust announced that they planned to open the site to the public, possibly with hiking trails. However, as of 2022, the area is still fenced off and closed to visitors.
