Honoré Escolle
Honoré Escolle, was as a French-American businessman from Monterey, California. In 1878, he purchased acres of the Sanchez's ranch near Gonzales, California. In the late 1880s, he sold to Santiago J. Duckworth to build a Catholic Summer resort. This land later became Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Early life
Escolle was born on December 24, 1832, in Cuers, Var, France. His father was Pons Escolle and mother was Marie Alexandrine Bernard. In 1847, Escolle left France to come to New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. He stayed in New Orleans for five years before he moved to California.Professional background
In 1852, Escolle arrived in Monterey, California. He sold bread to John Bautista Rogers Cooper, who owned what is now the Cooper-Molera Adobe, built in 1823. Escolle's store sold pots, bread, and household goods. His kiln made flowerpots, coffeepots, baking dishes, pitchers, tiles, and jars. He sold his business in 1886 to his son-in-law, A. Manuel.Escolle married Adelle Elisabeth Duval, a native of France, in 1854 in San Francisco. They had eleven children.
In 1872, he purchased of land in Rancho Paraje de Sanchez, near Gonzales, California. He spent a large sum of money to improve it by planting in fruit trees. He had a residence on this ranch where he lived with his family.
In early 1888, Santiago J. Duckworth approached Escolle, with plans of subdividing the Las Manzanitas property and building a Catholic Summer resort near the refurbished Carmel Mission as one of the main attractions. Escolle agreed to sell of land to Duckworth.
Escolle continued to be involved in real estate transactions in Carmel City after the sale to Duckworth. Beginning on October 12, 1889, Escolle and his wife sold lots in Carmel City at $5 per lot. These real estate transactions continued the next year on May 11, 1890, July 23, 1890, and on September 4, 1890. On September 19, 1890, Escolle sold to S. J. Duckworth all the unsold portion of tract No. 1 in Carmel City for $5.
In 1889, Escolle, who lived in Monterey, bought a ranch two miles southwest from Gonzales, which he called the Escolle Ranch. He grew alfalfa, oranges, cherries, and almonds.