Lee Gottfried (July 12, 1896 –January 15, 1968) was an American master builder in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. He had a significant influence on the architecture of the Village of Carmel during his career. Gottfried was one of the main local builders in Carmel and responsible for the first major residential designs done using the local Carmel stone as a building material.
Early life
Gottfried was born on July 12, 1896, in Hicksville, Ohio. His father was Phillip H. Gottfried (1858-1935) and his mother was Vanilla Belle Ritenour (1867-1940). He married Bonnie Adele Hale (1900-1967) on November 4, 1919, in Carmel, who was the stepdaughter of writer Frederick R. Bechdolt. They had two children during their marriage.
Professional background
Gottfried came out west and worked for the Pacific Telephone Company. In 1917, he enlisted in the U. S. Army and served in France during World War I. After the war he came to California and in 1919, moved to Carmel-by-the-Sea. There, he worked in the contracting business. During the 1920s and 1930s, Gottfried was one of the main local builders and responsible for reintroducing Carmel stone as a local building material.
The Vernacular-style cottage known as the La Von "lee" Gottfried House was designed and built by Gottfried himself in 1921. It was situated on Dolores Street in the southwest region of Carmel Point.
In 1920, Gottfried was commissioned by Edward G. Kuster to design and build a small Medieval European-style stone castle at 26205 Ocean View Avenue off of Scenic Drive on Carmel Point. The design was similar to his neighbor Robinson Jeffers's Tor House. He continued to work for Kuster, building the Tudor Revival-style Carmel Weavers Studio (now Cottage Of Sweets) for Ruth Kuster in September 1922 and the original Theatre of the Golden Bough in 1923. The Carmel Weavers Studio was enlarged by Gottfried in 1923 to accommodate a brick fireplace and a ticket booth for the Theatre.
In 1922, he was the contractor and builder for two houses in Carmel Woods near the Serra Circle. That same year, he built the Philip and Marie Gordon House on San Antonio Avenue and 9th Avenue. It is significant as the first major residential designs done with local Carmel Stone.
In 1925, writer and editor Harry Leon Wilson commission Gottfried to build the Tudor Revival-style "Bloomin Basement," a flower shop for his wife, Helen MacGowan Cooke, the daughter of writer Alice MacGowan. The first floor had a restaurant and bar, called Sade's.
Gottfried was an early member of the Abalone League along Fred Godwin, Charley Van Riper, Eddie Burns, Harrison Godwin, and Byington Ford. The games began after World War I on a diamond at Carmel Point.
In addition to his work in the building industry, Gottfried was an active member of the community. He served as a member of the American Legion Post No. 512. Gottfried also participated in local politics and served on the Carmel City Council.
He and his brother Roger S. Gottfried (1906-1975) were listed as architects and residents in the Carmel City Directories from 1947 through 1963.
Works
Death
Gottfried died on January 15, 1968, in Monterey, California at the age of 71. Funeral services were held at the Little Chapel-by-the-Sea.