MORGAN COURT – ONE OF CARMEL’S HIDDEN COURTYARDS
I walk by Morgan Court in the morning on my way to get coffee and the newspaper.
It is on Lincoln between 7th and 8th streets. Although not as large as some other courtyards, it is my favorite.
Something about its character suggests I will see Charles Dickens popping out of a doorway. Maybe the fact it is narrow and has a half-timbered building at the end.
No matter what time of day I walk by ,the light is lovely here filtering between the buildings. But the morning light is my favorite.
The shops in this court have hired an excellent gardener to tend the plants. The pots are colorful and cleverly arranged to make the most of the limited space.
Many are hung on the walls as well as being placed in pots on the cobbles.
The benches add a welcome touch and I often see people resting on them while they consult a map.
The gardener is doing her morning work of watering and checking on her plants.
I tell her how much I love this court and she says it is always a pleasure to hear that.
I go to the far end to admire my favorite pot – the Lion Head.
His “mane” is usually something grassy .
Today his mane looks especially healthy. She laughs and tell me it because it is “fake”.
He is deteriorating and she has searched in vain for a replacement. So she is trying to protect him.
I love the lights in this court
and the way the plantings change with the seasons.
At Christmas last year, the court was trimmed with stands of small white lights.
I try to figure out how this court got its name and read that the artist, Mary DeNeale Morgan, moved to Carmel in 1910 and bought the studio-home of Sydney Yard ( a landscape painter) on Lincoln near Seventh. Aha, Ms. Morgan’s home was here.
Before the permanent move, she rented or tent camped in Carmel. The bohemian atmosphere here offered a refuge from the Victorian constraints placed on women in the cities. Once settled, she rarely left the area . When she died in 1948 , there was an unfinished painting on her easel, possibly one she had started at Point Lobos only four days earlier.
So it is fitting that one of the shops in the court is Avalon Gallery.
Avalon Gallery
On Lincoln between Ocean Ave & 7th, in Morgan Court
Phone: (831) 622-0830
Specializes in the tradition of fine print making and original works by contemporary artists. They are the exclusive U.S. representative of G.H. Rothe and an authorized dealer of Michael Parkes’ stone lithographs and Mikio Watanabe’s mezzotints. Open Wed – Mon from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Paintings, Fine Prints, Watercolors, Modern, Surreal, Fantasy, Graphics
The other businesses in the Court are Profiles Hair Studio,
David Lyng Real Estate,
David Lyng Real Estate, a Real Estate Agency in Carmel, CA …
and Kush Day Spa.
As I read about this spa, I realize I am missing out on a great spot for a massage. The spa was created by massage therapist John Jertberg and the reviewers on the internet rave about him. I am adding that to my “to do” list.
One last glance back …. and I am on my way for coffee.
Once upon a time..Tales from Carmel by the Sea 
I love it! What a wonderful place to stroll and shop. The container gardens are beautiful.
And where do you suggest for a hearty cup o’ Joe?
What a lovely walk I just had this morning with YOU!! Thank you for your wonderful tours of my favorite place in the world, Carmel village. Kathysue
What a wonderful walk this morning..thank you!
Wouldn’t you know that the best looking manes are fakes? 🙂
The name Morgan Court comes from the current owner. The Morgan Family crest out front reflects Mr and Mrs Morgan and their three children. Before the Morgans bought it the name on it was Bonny Meade the names of the former owners wife, The Morgan name you speak of owned the property next door, the Cypress Inn that is now owned by Doris Day.
Dick is correct- our building’s name is based on our family name. thank you for your very well done post and pictures!
-Ralph Morgan
Morgan Court was originally called Bonnie Mead Court and was built by Ann and Orval Mead, my parents who passed away this last summer. The name was changed when they sold it to the Morgan’s some years ago. The Morgan’s have the same love of old world charm and gardens that mom and dad had. It’s wonderful to see that it flourishes and inspires others to this day.