Jack London State Historic Park facts for kids
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Jack London Ranch
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Glen Ellen, California |
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| Area | 47.5 acres (192,000 m2) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000240 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 29, 1962 |
Jack London State Historic Park is a special place in California. It's also known as Jack London Home and Ranch. This park is located near Glen Ellen, on the side of Sonoma Mountain. It was once the home of the famous writer Jack London.
The park has many interesting things to see. You can find the remains of a large stone house that burned down. There's also a smaller cottage where Jack London and his family lived. Another house was built later, and you can visit the graves of Jack London and his wife. This historic park is recognized as both a California Historical Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. The land here has unique soil, especially in the lower areas.
The Story of Jack London's Ranch
The land that is now Jack London State Historic Park was once a winery. Jack London bought the property in 1905 when it was empty. He dreamed of becoming a rancher and called his new home "Beauty Ranch."
Jack London's Dream: Beauty Ranch
When London first moved in, he made the small cottage much bigger. It grew to 3,000 square feet (279 square meters). He also turned a stone building nearby into his writing studio. This is where he created many of his famous stories. Between 1909 and 1911, London bought even more land to expand his ranch.
In 1910, he started building his dream home, a huge mansion called the Wolf House. Jack and his wife, Charmian, spent over $80,000 on this house. That was a lot of money before World War I! The house was planned to be 15,000 square feet (1,393 square meters). It would have special furniture and decorations. There was even going to be a reflection pool filled with mountain bass.
The Mystery of the Wolf House Fire
On August 22, 1913, something terrible happened. While the Londons were away, they heard that their new mansion was on fire. By the time they arrived, the fire had completely destroyed the building. It was too late to save their beautiful new home.
Jack London was heartbroken that he never got to live in the Wolf House. The fire also put him in debt. He had to work very hard to pay off his debts and keep his ranch going.
Jack London passed away on November 22, 1916. The exact reason for his death is still debated today. He wanted to be cremated and have his ashes buried on his property. He asked to be laid to rest near some pioneer children. His grave is on a hill under a rock from the Wolf House.
What Happened After Jack London's Death?
After Jack London died, his wife Charmian took over the property. She built a new house on the land in 1919. It was called the House of Happy Walls. This house was a smaller version of the grand Wolf House. Charmian lived there until she passed away in 1955.
Jack's half-sister, Eliza Shepard, helped manage Beauty Ranch until she died in 1939. Her grandson, Milo Shepard, continued this important role. In 1959, the land and its buildings were given to the state of California. This happened with the help of Eliza's son, Irving Shepard, and his wife, Mildred.
In 1960, the property became a California Historical Landmark. It was also named a National Historic Landmark in 1962. On September 24, 1960, the new state park officially opened. A friend of the Londons, Anna Strunsky, gave a speech at the ceremony.
Today, over 800 acres of London's Beauty Ranch are protected. The California State Parks system owns the site. It is managed by Jack London Park Partners. This group helps keep the park open and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
Exploring Jack London State Historic Park
The park offers a chance to step back in time and see where Jack London lived and worked.
The Cozy Winery Cottage
The Winery Cottage was the main home for Jack London and his family. Many of their guests also stayed here. London bought the cottage in 1911 and made it bigger that same year. He added a west wing, which became his study. This is where he wrote many of his famous stories. Jack London passed away in this cottage on November 22, 1916.
The House of Happy Walls Museum
Charmian London built The House of Happy Walls in 1919. She built it to honor Jack's memory. It looks like a smaller, more formal version of the Wolf House. Much of the furniture inside was originally meant for the Wolf House. Charmian lived here until her death in 1955.
In her will, Charmian asked that her home become a museum. She wanted it to celebrate Jack London and herself. Today, this building is the visitor center and a museum for the park.
The Amazing Wolf House Ruins
The Wolf House was meant to be the Londons' main home. It was never finished. Construction on the huge 15,000 square foot (1,393 square meters) house began in 1910. Its design used only natural materials from the area. It was also supposed to have a reflection pool with mountain bass.
The house was almost complete in 1913. But before the Londons could move in, it burned down on August 22 of that year. The impressive ruins still stand today. The fire caused a lot of damage, but the Londons only received a small amount from insurance. They planned to rebuild, but Jack London passed away in 1916. Construction stopped after his death.
Jack and Charmian London's Resting Place
Jack and Charmian London are both buried on the property. Their graves are not far from the Wolf House. Jack's ashes were spread at sunset on November 26, 1916. This was on a small hill overlooking the Valley of the Moon. Charmian, Jack's sister Eliza, and a few workers were the only ones there. As he wished, his ashes were placed next to some pioneer children. They rest under a rock that came from the Wolf House.
After Charmian died in 1955, she was also cremated. Her ashes were buried with her husband in the simple spot he chose.
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