Fall 2026

162 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 6 the front corner of the building. Mora featured his love of animals through his depiction of two anthropomorphic cows, an expansive theme that continued inside the dairy as well. For several generations of residents, Mora’s three humorous murals on the interior walls of the dairy created delight and lasting fond memo- ries of this iconic Carmel establishment. Eventually, through changes in tenancy, the murals were removed from the dairy, and despite efforts to locate them, they have never been found. Lost from daily view are numerous addition- al captivating artistic projects that Mora brought to the business. His work for Graff expanded in the 1930s and into the 40s to include numerous items of ephemera, including dairy menus, souvenir calendars, milk bottle decorations, milk cartons and some of the dairy’s Christmas card designs. Among these items, the glass milk bottle stands out, particu- larly the rare version that was decorated in color. In addition to the glass bottles, there were more common waxed paper cartons with Mora’s designs ringing the bottom of the four sides.These have become as scarce, if not more so, than the glass containers, as they were cast to the trash as disposable. Mora’s lettering styles and creativity carried over to calendars he made for Graff.They were letterpress printed on colored paper as a promo- tional item from the dairy for its customers. His graphic design work also permitted him to add a short rhyming poem in honor of each month. Upon the dairy’s closing, the building went through several iterations, first becoming a soda fountain. Then, in 1953, it became the much loved and missed Mediterranean Market, and since 2022, Palomas Home Furnishings. The dairy building details, along with Mora’s other lasting public art in Carmel and through- out Monterey County (much of which was fea- tured in the Winter 2025 issue of Carmel Magazine ) ensures his legacy continues, especial- ly this year—in celebration of the 150th anniver- sary of his birth—and for years to come. In honor of Jo Mora’s 150th birthday, Monterey History & Art Association—in partnership with the Steinbeck Center and The John Steinbeck Library in Salinas—is holding a series of exhibits starting in October. For more information, visit www.steinbeck.org, www.montereyhistory.org and library.salinas.gov. Graff procured his milk products from the nearby William Hatton Dairy and from the Martin Farm, which were located in what is now the area surrounding and including Mission Ranch. (Left) The Carmel Dairy clock. (Right) Milk bottles featured Mora’s illustra- tions in bold color. Compensation for Mora’s artwork was often paid in the form of milk, butter or eggs.