Lewis Byington Ford

Byington Ford, Carmel Valley Developer, was born in Downieville, California on November 1, 1890.

Important Facts

November 1, 1890	Born in Downieville, Sierra County, California. Byington was the son of Tirey L. Ford, a former California state senator and attorney general who also authored Dawn of the Dons, a history of the Monterey Peninsula.	Byington Ford
1892	By's parents moved to San Francisco, California.
1906	He was living on Haight Street in San Francisco during the great 1906 earthquake.
June 8, 1900	The US Census lists and F. L. Ford (42), Emma (37) Mary R. (11) and Byington (9) living in San Francisco, California. Source: US Federal Census.
1910	Received his BS degree from Santa Clara College.
April 30, 1910	Tirey Ford (52), is listed in the 1910 US Census along with his wife Emma B. (47), Relda F (27), Byington (19), Tirey L. Jr. (12). Source:1910 U.S. Census for Mapel Street, San Francisco, California, Series: T624 Roll: 100 Page: 85.
1910-1912	Graduated from Santa Clara College and the University of California at Berkeley, where he earned Master of Arts. Source: University of California register, Berkeley, 1912-13.	Byington Ford
1913	He also studied law at St. Ignatius College, now the University of San Francisco, before entering the real estate field in San Francisco. Source: Monterey Peninsula Herald, Jan 22, 1985.
	Ford had played varsity baseball at U.C. Berkeley while earning his law degree. Source: Carmel Pine Cone.
1916	Mr. Ford was Director of the Animated Film Corp in San Francisco. His father, Tirey L. Ford, was president. The company produced animated cartoons long before Walt Disney. Byington worked with Benjamin "Tack" Knight and "Pinto" Colvig. The prospering endeavor ended, with the entry of the U.S. into World War I.
1917	He enlisted in the California National Guard and went to Officers Training Camp at the Presidio of San Francisco where he was commissioned, and went to France during World War I. He was Captain in the 26th "Yankee" Division. In France, he trained at the St. Cyr cavalry school. Source: World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918	Angle-Espoy, "Tack" Night, "Pinto" Colvig, By Ford Animated Cartoon Film Corporation
1919	Moved to Carmel after recuperating from a poison gas attack suffered while serving with the Army in France during World War I.
1919	In 1919, Samuel F. B. Morse formed the Del Monte Properties Company and acquired those holdings, which included Del Monte Forest and the popular Hotel Del Monte (now the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey). Byington's sister (Relda) was married to S.F.B. Morse - the great grandson and namesake of the inventor of the telegraph.	Capt. Ford 26th "Yankee" Division
1919-31	He became a manager at the Del Monte Properties in Pebble Beach, heading their real estate department for twelve years. Rode horseback through the undeveloped parts of Del Monte Forest and later headed their Real Estate Department for 12 years.
January 12, 1920	The US Census lists Byington Ford (29) as an employee and living at the Hotel Del Monte in Monterey, California. Source: 1920 United States Federal Census.
April 11, 1920	At the end of the polo season, Byington Ford along with Mr. and Mrs. Samuel F.B. Morse entertained at a dinner in Pebble Beach, near Del Monte Lodge. Source: The San Francisco Chronicle.	By Ford & Marion Boisot Wedding November 17, 1920
November 17, 1920	Byington married Marion Boisot in Pebble Beach, California.
August 22, 1921	Mary Jane Ford was born in San Francisco, California. Source: California Birth Index.
September 1, 1921	Byington wrote a humorous letter to Mary Jane, when she was just a baby, which showed a nurse acting surprised about a baby wanting some real food. The caption read: "Say, what I need is some ham an' eggs an' some sauerkraut! Gimme some real food. Source: Letter written on Del Monte Properties Company stationary with Byington Ford as Manager Pebble Beach Properties. Source: Typed letter with cartoon illustration by Byington Ford.
1922	The Byington Ford House in Pebble Beach was constructed by Bernard Maybeck. Source: Bernard Maybeck Web site.
May 17, 1923	Patricia Reid Ford was born in San Francisco, California. Source: California Birth Index.
1924	Capt. and Mrs. Byington Ford were listed as living on 3800 Clay (Pacific 1690) and Del Monte, Cal. His father, Mr. Tirey L., Ford was listed as living on Balboa Bldg., 593 Market (Tel. Douglas 380). Source: San Francisco Blue Book Directory, 1924.
1925	He formed the Carmel Realty Co. an moved to Carmel Valley. Source: Monterey Peninsula Herald, Jan 22, 1985.
December 4, 1926	Audrey Ford was born in San Francisco, California. Source: California Birth Index.	Ford - Cartoon to MaryJane
	He was active for years as a player and coach in the Peninsula's old Abalone League with other pioneers such as Samuel F.B. Morse and author Jimmy Hopper.
1927	Ford, Mr. and Mrs. Byington and Marion Boisot were listed in the SF Social Register. There address was listed as Pebble Beach. Source: San Francisco Social Register 1927.
1928	To raise money for a league diamond, he staged plays at the Carmel Arts and Crafts Theater, recognized today as The Golden Bough. He was the leading man in the play "The Copperhead" at the Carmel playhouse. He acted in, directed, or wrote more than 45 plays at the Carmel Arts and Crafts Theater.
1930	US Federal Census lists Byington Ford (39), Marion B. (32), Mary Jane (8), Patricia (6), and Audrey (3) living in Pebble Beach, Monterey, California. Source: 1930 United States Federal Census.
1931	He formed the Carmel Realty Company, still a major force in the city today. Source: CARMEL VALLEY HISTORIC AIRPARK SOCIETY Web site.	Byington Ford
	Byington bought a 400 acre ranch in Carmel Valley, California from the Pacific Improvement Company. Source: Conversation with Audrey Cordrey.
1932	Listed as "FORD, Mr. & Mrs. Byington (Marion BOISOT), Pebble Beach, Cal." Source: Social Register, San Francisco, California, 1932, Vol., XLVI, No. 9.
1934	Directed a Douglas school play called "Inchling" in which Audrey Ford was in.
July 2, 1936	Letter from Byington Ford, Carmel Realty Company, to Harper Knowles. Source: Box 2, p. 6354, Alien Exhibit 108, Harvard Law School Library, Harvard University.
1938	Divorced from Marion Boisot.
	Sold house in Pebble Beach
1939	By began development of the Mission Tract. He also developed Carmel Woods.	Ford at Airpark
1939	Married 2nd wife, Ruth Arlen. Moved to Dolores and Santa Lucia in Carmel, California with wife Ruth.
Late 1930's	In the late 1930s, Byington Ford bought the northeast corner of Rancho Las Laureles in Carmel Valley to establish an airpark. He was convinced that mass production of small aircraft would put a plane within the reach of anyone who could afford a car. He and his brother Tirey, developed the Carmel Valley Airport for pilot-owners who would want to be at home a minute or two after getting out of their plane. His brother Tirey built a prototype hangar house off Ford Road. During this time Larry Sweeney taught Byington how to fly and he got his first pilot's license. Source: CARMEL VALLEY HISTORIC AIRPARK SOCIETY.
December 7, 1941	The grand opening of Airway Ranch was on the same day as the attack on Pearl Harbor. The project was put on hold while Byington Ford joined the Army Air Corps to aid the war effort. The family name remains in the form of Ford Road, the street that borders part of the airstrip. Source: CARMEL VALLEY HISTORIC AIRPARK SOCIETY.	Byington Ford
1942	Enlisted in the Air force during World War II and became a Lieutenant Colonel. Established the 1st woman's' MP at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio. Source: Conversation with Audrey Cordrey.
	Following the War, Ford combined sales to plane owners with sales to home seekers, which included ranch-house sites of 1-3 acres. Source: Paul Freeman's Web site.
February 3, 1944	Capt. Byington Ford was mentioned as nephew of Lewis F. Byington who died in May 1943. A Will names Ford and the surviving brother (Frank J. Byington) as executors with 14 heirs, all residents of California. Source: Reno Evening Gazette.
1946-1947	Byington and Tirey Ford developed the Carmel Valley Village and Airway Market, first known as the General Store, a barber shop, a drug store and soda fountain, a beauty shop, and a liquor store. All were in walking distance of the Airpark and decorated to resemble a Mexican village. The village is about 12 miles from the mouth of Carmel Valley. Today the village is a busy place and has grown fast in recent years. Source: Monterey County California Regional Guide	Byington's Sketch Book
1949	The State of California licensed the airport in 1949. Byington Ford retired a few years later, and the airpark was purchased by Peter Delfino.
1955	He wrote a sketch book called A Cartoon Sketch Book For Beginners. Source: Sketch Book by Byington Ford.
Sept. 24, 1970	The Carmel Pine Cone newspaper wrote an article about "The fabulous career of Byington Ford." Source: Sept. 24, 1970 Carmel Pine Cone.
	He and his wife, Ruth, who was a key figure in local projects to help children with learning disabilities, made their home at Carmel Valley Golf and Country Club until they moved to Southern California. Source: Monterey Peninsula Herald, Jan 22, 1985.
November 24, 1970	Mrs. Byington (Ruth) Ford accepted the Woman of the Year memory book from Mrs. Meiswinkel, Monterey-Pacific Grove Quota Clude president. Her proud husband, "By" Ford, was also there. Source: Monterey Peninsula Herald Newspaper.
1970	At 80, he was still playing golf at the Carmel Valley Golf & Country Club.
1980's	Moved to Ventura, California.	Carmel Valley Vintage Airpark
January 19, 1985	At age 94, died of Pancreatic cancer at his home in Ventura, California. Source: California Death Index and Social Security Death Index.
1985	Pat and her two sisters went to the funeral in Ventura, California. He was cremated under the direction of the Neptune Society. Memorial contributions wen to the Hospice of the Monterey Peninsula. Source: Monterey Peninsula Herald, Jan 22, 1985.
November 3, 2000	The California Historical Resources Commission voted unanimously to nominate Carmel Valley Vintage Airpark as a State Historic Resource. The Commission found that development of CVVA by Byington Ford in 1941 was significant in that it represented the first airpark in the US and the world!