Samuel J. Miller

Samuel J. Miller (February 6, 1888 – April 26, 1958), also known as Sam Miller, was a builder and carpenter in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, United States. He had an influence on the character and architecture of Carmel during his career.

Early life
Sam Miller was born on February 6, 1888, in Lewiston, Idaho. His father was Henry John Miller (b. 1867), and his mother was Mary Magdeline Kline (1871-1955). Sam and his brother George Henry Miller (1890-1944) attended Saint James College, Vancouver, Washington, a boarding and day college for boys. His first marriage was to Eleanor "Nora" L. Doyle (1894-1972) on February 18, 1917, at St. Lawrence O'Toole Church, in Fruitvale Oakland, California. They had three daughters during their marriage. After the divorce of Eleanor, he remarried to Nellie A. Wall on November 22, 1943, in Salinas.

Professional background
Miller learned the carpentry trade while living in San Francisco, where he learned the skills to be a designer and builder. He worked for the L.H. Sly Co. for seven years, where he served as a foreman and helped construct ten large apartment buildings, including the Stanford Court Apartments. He also worked at 3539 Hugh Street, Oakland, California for a period of time before moving to Carmel in the early 1920s. During World War I Miller was certified to the District Board from Oakland City Local Board No. 7 as discharged from military service as "wife dependent." He was listed as Carpenter for R.C. Hillen at 430 Haight Avenue, Alameda.

In Carmel, Miller worked as the foreman of construction for master builder M. J. Murphy. He and his family lived in a house on 12th Avenue. He supervised the building of the Blue Bird Tea Room on Ocean Avenue (later known as Scandia) as well as other homes in Carmel, including the Carmel Highlands, and Pebble Beach, California. In the mid-1920s, he established his own office and built over twenty private homes. He did the additions to the Thomas V. Cator house on 4th Avenue and Lopez Street, and a six-room plastered house for Mrs. C.L. Lowell at 11th Avenue and Scenic Drive in 1925.

Enchanted Oaks Building


The Enchanted Oaks Building design was done by Miller and built by Ernest Bixler. This building is significant because it represents the work of Carmel builders and designers Miller and Bixler. The Tudor Revival-style structure is recognized as an important commercial building in the city's Downtown Conservation District Historic Property Survey, and was nominated and submitted to the California Register of Historical Resources on January 29, 2003, by Kent L. Seavey. The building was once a garage that was constructed in 1920. It was expanded by Miller in 1927 into a Tudor Revival commercial building built for Mrs. C. S. Lowell. In 1931, Bixler remolded the first floor façade for Carmel writer and realtor Daisy Bostick. In 1941, Bixler designed and constructed two stucco studio apartments at the rear of the property for Bostick. Today, composer Alan Silvestri has a wine tasting room for his Carmel Valley, California Silvestri Vineyards on the ground floor of the building.

During the Great Depression in the United States, Miller worked on other projects including the 26-room Colonial Terrace Inn, that was a joint project between Miller and Bixler in 1936. The Inn is located on the east side of San Antonio at 13th Avenue. This building is significant as an example of the type and Colonial-style of accommodations developed in Carmel during the 1930s. It was recorded with the California Register of Historical Resources on August 28, 2002, by Kent L. Seavey.

Miller lived in Carmel for 24 years before moving to Seaside, California in 1946. His World War II Draft Registration Card listed him as living in Carmel Point, Monterey County, California. Throughout his career, Miller was known for his attention to detail, craftsmanship, and ability to transform his clients' dreams into reality. His homes and structures were often characterized by their unique design elements and use of natural materials, such as wood and stone.

In addition to his work in the construction industry, Miller was also active in his community. He was a member of several civic organizations, including the Carpenter's Union, Knights of Columbus, and a delegate to the Building Trade Council. He believed in giving back to his community and was known for his generosity and willingness to help others.

Works
• Stanford Court Apartments (1910s)

• Blue Bird Tea Room on Ocean Avenue (1920s)

• Mary M. Miller House (mid-1920s)

• Ralph Miller Studio (mid-1920s)

• Katharine Cooke House (mid-1920s)

• Miss Turner House (mid-1920s)

• Miss Smart House (mid-1920s)

• Miss Grant House (mid-1920s)

• Du Ray House (mid-1920s)

• Wallace House (mid-1920s)

• Rev. G. M. Dorwart House (mid-1920s)

• Denny-Watrous Studio Dolores 4NE of 2nd Ave. (1922)

• Thomas V. Cator House (1923)

• Orre B. Hazeltine House, Lot 18, Blk. W. Addn. 1 (1924)

• James Sullivan Doyle, Lots 11 and 13, Blk. L. Addn. 1 (1924)

• Stella Guichard Cottage, Dolores and 4th Ave. (1924)

• Mrs. Montague House (1924)

• ''Mrs. B. Flowers House' (1925)

• Constance L. Lowell House (1925)

• Enchanted Oaks Building (1927)

• Violet Campbell House or Alice MacGowan House'' on 2E of Lincoln s/side 13th Ave. (1927)

• Colonial Terrace Inn (1936)

Death
Miller died of a heart attack on April 26, 1958, in Monterey, California, at the age of 70. Funeral services were held in St. Xavier Church in Seaside, California. Burial was in the Catholic section of Mission Memorial Park in Seaside.