Moy Mell 1934, Photo by Virgil Hodges, courtesy Bennett-Loomis Archives (from KCET blog)
I was fascinated when I learned of a group of individuals inhabiting cabins and shacks in the sand dunes near Oceano, California, during the 1920s and 1930s. This small community was comprised of bohemians, hermits, runaways, mystics, writers, and artists, all of whom had intentionally dropped out of society to seek a simpler life, one more in tune with nature. The story was familiar to me, but the dates were surprising. I had no idea such communities existed before the hippies of the 1960s, but it makes sense that people would have chosen to drop out of society during the era of the Great Depression. The Dunites, as they called themselves, built their own living structures, fished for clams, and learned how to get by on little to no money in the somewhat harsh environment of the dunes. Artist Elwood Decker, poet Hugo Seelig, and revolutionary Gavin Arthur, were some of the best known Dunites. Each has an amazing life history.
Elwood Decker, Purpose Coming from Meditation, Color Photogram, ca. 1952-1955 (image courtesy of Phyllis Stiles) (from elwooddecker.com)
Gavin Arthur was born Chester Alan Arthur III and was the grandson of US President Chester Alan Arthur. He was by far the wealthiest Dunite and he wanted to leave his aristocratic background for a more simple life in the dunes. Arthur attracted many intellectuals to the dunes, who would visit to drink, engage in lively discussion, and stay in the community guest house built for such visitors. Among those who visited the dunes were John Cage, John Steinbeck, Upton Sinclair, and Edward Weston. In 1934, Arthur began publishing a journal called Dune Forum. The first issue featured articles about economics, nudity, the telephone, and communal living. There was much hype initially, but Dune Forum lasted seven issues and only half a year before failing. The content was too specific and obscure to find a big following, and the cost of the magazine during The Depression was too much for most people.
This 12 by 30-foot cabin was once home to Gavin Arthur, grandson of U.S. President Chester A. Arthur. | Chris Daly (image from KCET blog)
Today all that is left of The Dunites are their memories and a few of their belongings. The only standing structure is Gavin Arthur’s cabin, which is no longer in the dunes. You can find it next to the Oceano Train Depot in town. The South County Historical Society of San Luis Obispo County, California has all of Dune Forum digitized on their website. And, for a more comprehensive history and delightful read, you can find Norm Hammond’s book The Dunites.
cover photograph by Edward Weston
Elwood Decker and his cabin in 1943, photo by Sal Ganci, courtesy Norm Hammond (image from KCET blog)
