James Franklin Devendorf (April 6, 1856 – October 9, 1934), was a pioneer real estate developer and philanthropist.

Devendorf and attorney Frank Hubbard Powers (1864-1921), founded the Carmel Development Company in 1902.

He got a job as a clerk at Hale Bros. Department Store in San Jose, California.

[3][2] Devendorf was one of the founders of the Carmel Arts and Crafts Club to support artistic works.

He donated the site that would become the Carmel Forest Theater; and gave land for the Devendorf Park.