Helmuth Deetjen and Helen Haight, fondly referred to as Grandma and Grandpa Deetjen, fell in love with Castro Canyon during their frequent camping trips to the Big Sur coast. In 1936, after acquiring 4 acres at the base of the secluded canyon, Helmuth Deetjen embarked on a lifelong project that would become his legacy.

Beginning with the barn–now home to our restaurant–Helmuth built it and the other original buildings with his own hands, using salvaged materials he carefully collected. The traditional 18th century Norwegian building style he became known for, was a perfect fit tucked into the redwood canyon alongside Castro Creek. With the help of local residents and employees working by Helmuth’s side or under his supervision, the property became the rustic, historic haven that stands today. One such worker, Stokes Evans, a trusted employee and friend of the Deetjens’, assisted Helmuth with numerous projects while residing at the Inn. The Stokes and Faraway rooms were originally housing for Stokes, which he occupied until his death. Over the years, many guests have enjoyed the wonderful rooms located under the redwoods, beside the creek. Here is the story of how Stokes and Faraway became the rooms that continue to stand as a symbol of perseverance and creativity.

Stokes Evans

Stokes Evans arrived on the Deetjen’s property circa 1958 and resided at the Inn until his death in 1978. How he came to the Inn and why he stayed so long is unknown. However, like many people who come to Big Sur in search of isolation and solitude, Stokes found refuge at the Inn and never left. Stokes, according to those who knew him, was quiet, gentle and introverted. He worked as not only the Inn’s ‘maintenance man’ and wood gatherer, but also as a wood worker and builder, working with Helmuth over the span of 20 years. Since he was central to the daily life and infrastructure of the Inn, Stokes lived on the property with a workshop attached to his cabin, across the canyon toward the back of the Inn-now the Stokes and Faraway rooms. As a trusted employee and accomplished builder who was tasked with many projects around the property, Stokes work can still be seen in many areas of the Inn today. From hand carved signs to the sturdy staircases that emulate Helmuth’s traditional Norwegian building style, his touch is everywhere. His work also extended to the Chateau Fiasco, the final room added during the original construction, which was Helmuth’s last supervised addition to the Inn. Stokes’ dedication and craftsmanship were instrumental in creating the magic that has drawn guests back year after year. Although his life before the Inn is a mystery, through the following stories and journal entries, we come to know the man that the Deetjens’ knew and depended on for so long.

Knowing Stokes

Excerpt by Jim Hunolt. Writer, sculptor and long time Big Sur Resident, Jim first came to to the Inn in 1964. He lived on the property and worked for the Deetjen's a few years before becoming an apprentice for renowned artist Gordon Newell.

My first summer in Big Sur was 1964. The spellbinding Pacific, the mysterious mountains and canyons, the Big Sur Inn and the people I met, have blended into a sacred memory. In the background that summer, was a shy and quiet figure I only slightly got to know. His name was Stokes.

Stokes Evans was about my height, 5’9”, lean and muscular. He had a slightly receding hairline and spectacular, piercing blue eyes. It always seemed like he was looking at you and beyond you simultaneously. He was intensity personified but, he had an implied vulnerability that would show itself now and then.

Stokes had a marvelous technique for remaining invisible, just how he did it was his own secret. He was very uncomfortable whenever he was made the center of attention, and because of these feelings, he mastered the ability to disappear when in a crowd.

When I moved up to Top House in 1968 I had more opportunity to get to know him. Stokes and I would see each other repeatedly down at the Inn but, when Deetjen had him rebuild the stairs to the upper portion of Top House, we had a chance to work together in the same environment for a period of time. This is when our understanding of each other had its major breakthrough. We became tremendous friends. Over the years we were involved in many projects together.

While living at Top House, I would periodically drive with Stokes up into the mountains above the Big Sur Coast to cut and haul firewood, both for the Big Sur Inn and for my own personal use. These expeditions with Stokes were in every way monumental and exciting adventures. We would prepare numerous thermoses of coffee, jugs of water and, of course, the almighty sandwich. All of our equipment: chainsaws, files, gas, oil, bars, chains, ropes, wedges, axes and mauls would be carefully laid out the day before. Stokes was great to work with. He had extremely intense energy, and although not a large man he was very powerful. He had a neatness and a highly developed sense of order about his work. He took on the toughest jobs. He would not, or somehow, he could not fail.

The maintenance of the Inn was his primary responsibility but, he had become adept at making furniture, signs and sculpture. He frequently came up to Top House after work and we would sit in the courtyard and drink wine. Stokes had a series of imposed rules. He would never accompany me out to have a drink at Nepenthe or elsewhere in Big Sur. On the occasion he came with me to Monterey he would not drink there either, but at Top House he would let loose.

Stokes was dealt a tough hand in life. He had deep insecurities about the outside world, meaning everywhere besides the Big Sur Inn. Stokes had been subjected to shock treatments at one time in his life, and the memory haunted him. He both admired and feared Helmuth. He admired Grandpa's Big Sur empire, but was terrified that Deetjen might fire him. Stokes had no other place to go. He felt essentially alone in life.

He was a one-of-a-kind person and, despite all odds, extremely well intentioned. I found him to be the essential warrior, alone in a hostile world, always willing to fight on against what he imagined to be insurmountable forces.

******

After Grandpa’s passing in 1972, Ed Gardien, a dedicated former employee, was hired to take charge of the Inn, continuing its legacy with the same care and devotion. That same year, Betty Sue Walters and her husband joined the team, living and working at the Inn. Over time, Betty Sue became the Inn’s trusted bookkeeper, a role she cherished until her retirement in 2020. She fondly remembers Stokes:

“Kenny and I worked at the Inn while living in the Chateau Fiasco room behind the restaurant. I remember the maintenance man Stokes, as a kind, gentle soul who was always welcoming the employees to his room to enjoy music and conversation. He enjoyed classical music, which was something he and Grandpa Deetjen had in common."

In her book, Big Sur Inn: The Deetjen’s Legacy, Anita Allen describes the relationship between Stokes and the Inn as well as the relationship between he and Grandpa.

“Stokes worked for the Deetjen’s for twenty years, devotedly maintaining the Inn through the death of both the Deetjen’s…He made signs and cabinets, framed photographs and paintings, built rock walls, and maintained the Inn as though he had built it…Though Deetjen let others know the admiration he had for his handyman, he seldom expressed that appreciation to Stokes himself. They shared a complex and cordial relationship, with Deetjen always keeping the upper hand.”

The Stokes Building

After Stokes’ death, his cabin and workshop were thoughtfully renovated to create the Stokes and Faraway rooms, offering guests the chance to stay in spaces that were once filled with his energy and craftsmanship. Stokes put years of dedication into the Inn, from his hand-carved signs to the intricate woodwork seen throughout the property. The Stokes room was named in his memory, honoring not only his hard work but the deep friendship and loyalty he brought to the Inn.

In keeping with the tradition of Deetjen's journal writing, many who knew Stokes wrote about their own experiences with the handyman who had been a part of the Deetjen’s family until the day he died. A testament to the impact he has had on the Inn that we are able to share.

From Destruction to Construction

During the winter of 2016-2017, the Big Sur Coast was battered by unprecedented storms. With massive slides to the south and a bridge collapse to the north, Deetjen’s Inn was isolated from the outside world. The Inn itself sustained major damage in early 2017 with a slide wiping out the Creek House completely. Less than two weeks later a massive redwood tree, which had serenely stood next to the Stokes building for so many years, toppled onto it, causing irreparable damage. This was the most damage the Inn had endured throughout its 70 year history. Although the destruction of the Creek House and Stokes building were terrible losses to the historical preservation of the Inn, General Manager, Matt Glazer, immediately went to work on the permits to facilitate the reconstruction of the historic buildings. Months turned into years and finally in 2020, permits were granted and construction commenced.

A copy of the Stokes building was reconstructed in the same place the cabin had stood since the 1940s. It was rebuilt in the classic Deetjen's style maintaining its historic authenticity. The redwood that had fallen and damaged the building was milled locally and used to rebuild the rooms. The original doors and portions of the damaged rooms’ structure were also reused to maintain the integrity of the building and the spirit absorbed from so much rich history.

Stokes Legacy

Stokes Evans was more than just a handyman-he was a pillar of the Inn’s history. For decades he poured his heart and soul into this place, working tirelessly alongside Helmuth to bring the Deetjens’ vision of the inn to life.

As you stay in the Stokes room, you’re surrounded by the legacy of two men whose unusual friendship, hard work and creativity shaped this special place.

We hope you find the same warmth and tranquility that has drawn travelers here for decades.