Fred Ruhl (August 27, 1876 – October 25, 1961), was an American building contractor in Monterey County, California. He had an influence on the character and architecture of Pebble Beach, California, and Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, during his career. Ruhl built the mansion, Outlands in the Eighty Acres, for real estate developer Paul Aiken Flanders. He also worked with architect Robert Stanton to build the historic Normandy Inn on Ocean Avenue in Carmel.
Early life
Ruhl was born on August 27, 1876, on a farm in Topeka, Illinois. His parents, Jesse Franklin Ruhl (1839-1920) and Harriet Upp (1839-1887). His father possessed carpentry skills but chose to follow a farming path. Growing up immersed in the rural landscape, Ruhl received his education from local schools before embarking on a journey into carpentry.
Career
In 1903, Ruhl moved to San Francisco, California, where he ventured into contracting with Frank Dowsett. He joined the firm Dowsett and Ruhl located at 77 O'Farrell Street.
In 1916 he moved to the Monterey Peninsula where he became construction supervisor for the Pacific Improvement Company working on the original Hotel Del Monte in Pebble Beach, California. Noteworthy among his projects were the McComber residence, the Pebble Beach lodge, the Malcom McNaughton household, and the McKensie House.
Throughout the 1920s, Ruhl emerged as the key contractor for construction projects in Pebble Beach, significantly shaping its architectural landscape. He connected with architect Robert Stanton and in 1925, Stanton's office building in downtown Carmel on Monte Verde Street and Ocean Avenue was constructed by Ruhl.
Outlands in the Eighty Acres
The Outlands in the Eighty Acres, also known as Flanders Mansion, in Hatton Fields, was built by Ruhl in 1924/1925 for real estate developer Paul Aiken Flanders. While "Outlands" was under construction in February of 1925, the Flanders family were displaced from their temporary accommodations within the Pebble Beach residence belonging to Ruhl, due to a fire incident. Reduced to ashes, the structure was completely consumed by flames, resulting in an estimated loss of $22,000 (). The fire's origin was attributed to the overheating of an oil stove.
The Flanders Mansion is an 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 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 23, 1989.
Ethel P. Young House
The Ethel P. Young House was designed by Stanton and built by Ruhl for Ethel Young, Stanton's mother-in-law, in 1926. It is located on Southwest corner of Carmelo St. and 8th Avenue. The one-story wood-framed house is an example of Spanish Eclectic-style architecture. The residence holds importance according to criterion 2 of the California Register of Historical Resources for being among Stanton's initial two residential designs. Additionally, it is of significance under criterion 3 for its role as an illustration of early speculative housing in Carmel.
Normandy Inn
In 1925, Stanton erected his one-and-one half story wood-framed office in the heart of Carmel's downtown area on the west side of Monte Verde Street. Then, in 1936, he embarked on the construction of the Normandy Inn, an example of Tudor Revival architecture, situated beside his office. The construction was overseen by Ruhl. The Inn holds significance in accordance with criterion 3 of the California Register of Historical Resources, particularly in the realm of architecture. It stands out as the finest representation of Tudor Revival architecture in Carmel and remains as the premier surviving illustration of Robert Stanton's early architectural design endeavors.
Works
Personal life
Ruhl married Alma Merle Warren (1894-1981) on August 18, 1923, in Pebble Beach, California.
Ruhl played a role in the establishment of the Monterey County Builder's Exchange in 1928. He was involved in the Masonic order and as a Noble Grand in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Death
Ruhl died on October 25, 1961. He was buried at the El Carmelo Cemetery in Pacific Grove, California.