Gunnar Norberg, (February 4, 1907 – August 17, 1988) an American businessman and politician, dedicated thirty years of his life toward the preservation of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, United States. He was recognized as the "Conscience of Carmel," because he fought against unrestricted growth in Carmel. Norberg had two terms as a city councilman and two terms as mayor.
Early life
Norberg was born in February 4, 1907 in Kenora, on the Lake of the Woods, Ontario, Canada. His parents, Albert Norberg and Thilda Osterberg, were both Swedish. He came with his parents to Little Falls, Minnesota as a child. During intermittent periods of study at Stanford University he acquired bookkeeping and accounting skills which he used while working for the Southern Pacific Railroad. He also established a career in New York as a Hearst newspaper columnist and magazine editor for Fawcett Publications. There he met Barbara Drew Collins, an actress and member of the Barrymore family. They married on March 28, 1936 in Manhattan, New York City. When his wife Barbara died in the summer of 1972, Norberg married Wies Christianson (1933-2017) in June 1973, at the Flanders Mansion. They were married in the costumes inspired by the play Twilth Night.
Career
In 1940, he and Barbara came to Carmel-by-the-Sea, California on vacation and they decided to make it their permanent home. The Gunnar Norberg House, on the southeast corner of Carmelo Stret and 10th Avenue was a wedding gift for the newlyweds from the brides parents. The American Craftsman-style home was built in 1909.
During the summer of 1941, Norberg opened the Norberg Travel Service, which he operated until his retirement in 1979. He also started an accounting service in Carmel during the war years.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Norberg was drafted by the United States Army during World War II, serving from 1943 to 1945, but was never assigned to a combat unit due to his poor eyesight. He became a citizenship of the United States when he enlisted in the Army. He was inducted at the Presidio of Monterey and eneded up at Camp Beale. Private Norberg became editor for the camp's newspaper, and helped set up the military installation's first football team and symphony orchestra. He received an honorable discharge to embark on a new role within the Office of Inter-American Affairs. Eventually, this organization evolved into the Voice of America.
Politics
Norberg's political journey in Carmel began with his election to the City Council in 1958. He was loved for his efforts in safeguarding the village's character, yet despised for his abrasive approach in doing so.
Although Norberg faced a temporary setback in 1962 because of his outspoken views, he made impressive comebacks, winning elections in 1966 and 1970. He was vice-mayor from 1972 to 1975. In 1976, Norberg was elected Carmel's new mayor succeeding mayor Eugene Hammond. He won a second term in 1978 when he was reappointed mayor of Carmel by the City Council.
Throughout his tenure, he encountered resistance from his peers regarding his progressive ideas, such as advocating against increased hotel square footage and proposing a 500-foot distance between similar tourist-oriented shops. Feeling like a "lone voice in the wilderness," Norberg's unwavering commitment earned him the name of the "Abominable No-Man" among some pro-development residents. Additionally, under Norberg's leadership, Carmel took legal action, filing two lawsuits to protect the city from unfavorable development in Carmel Valley. He continued the legacy set by Perry Newberry, standing firmly against unrestricted growth, excessive freeway development, the unchecked expansion of motels, and the overwhelming influx of tourism. Norberg ardently advocated for preserving the natural beauty and embracing a simpler, more authentic way of life.
After Paul Flanders died in 1944, his property, Outlands in the Eighty Acres or Flanders Mansion, was about to fall into the hands of developers. Norberg mounted the "Save the Flanders Estate" campaign. As vice-mayor, he persuaded the city council to buy the Flanders Mansion and adjoining in 1972 from the Flanders heirs for $275,000 ().