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Slate slabs from billiards tables that served in an officer's club at the former Fort Ord form a garden walkway. In homage to the sea it looms over, scattered about the property are various maritime artifacts from Monterey Bay ship- wrecks, including a bench made from a ship's bal- last stone and two portholes installed in Hawk Tower, one is from the "Natalie," a ship some believe was formerly the "Inconstant," the vessel used by Napoleon to escape exile on Elba. Artifacts are embedded in the stone walls, includ- ing a piece of the Great Pyramid of Cheops at Giza and a chunk of the Great Wall of China. Tor House originally had expansive 360-degree views, out to the sea and to the mountains to the east. There weren't many trees, so Jeffers planted 2,000 cypress and eucalyptus, many still standing majestically over the neighborhood. Tor House is a fascinating and enlightening place to visit, with surprises around every cor- ner. It offers a rare glimpse into early Carmel life, as well as insight into one of our country's greatest 20th century men of letters. Tours are conducted each Friday and Saturday. To schedule and for more information, please visit www.torhouse.org. 204 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 " I built it with my hands, I hung Stones in the sky. " When Jeffers was building Tor House stone by stone in the 1920s, Carmel Point was remote, unpopulated, undeveloped and largely isolated from Carmel village life. Photos: Courtesy of The Tor House Foundation