John Muir National Historic Site facts for kids
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John Muir National Historic Site
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 Location in San Francisco Bay Area
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 4202 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez, California |
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| Area | 345 acres (140 ha) |
| Built | 1849 |
| Architect | Wolfe & Son; Martinez, Vicente |
| Architectural style | Italianate-Victorian |
| Visitation | 49,376 (2016) |
| Website | John Muir National Historic Site |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000083 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 29, 1962 |
| Designated NHS | August 31, 1964 |
The John Muir National Historic Site is a special place in Martinez, California. It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area. This site protects the home of a famous naturalist and writer named John Muir.
Muir lived in a large, 14-room house built in the Italianate-Victorian style. The site also includes 325 acres (132 hectares) of land. This land has beautiful oak trees and grasslands. The Muir family used to own this land. The main part of the site is near California State Route 4, also known as the "John Muir Parkway."
Contents
John Muir's Historic Home
Building the Mansion
The large house was built in 1883. It was built by Dr. John Strentzel, who was John Muir's father-in-law. Muir and Dr. Strentzel worked together to manage a big fruit ranch. This ranch was about 2,600 acres (1,052 hectares) in size.
John Muir and his wife, Louisa, moved into the house in 1890. Muir lived there until he passed away in 1914.
The Alhambra Trestle
In 1897, John and Louisa Muir sold a small piece of land for $10. This land was for a railroad to pass through. The railroad built a bridge called the Alhambra Trestle on this land.
The railway was finished in 1900. The Muir family used it to ship their fruit to other places.
John Muir: A Champion for Nature
Muir's Work for Conservation
While living in this house, John Muir did many important things. He helped start the Sierra Club and was its first president. This club works to protect nature.
Muir also fought to save the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park. He did not want it to be dammed. He also helped create several other national parks.
He wrote many articles and books about protecting nature. His ideas helped create the National Park Service in 1916. This service now manages all U.S. national parks.
Muir's Study: The "Scribble Den"
The house still has Muir's study, which he called his "scribble den." His original desk is still there. This is where he wrote down many of his ideas. These ideas are now key parts of the modern conservation movement. This movement aims to protect and preserve natural resources.
Protecting the Site
Becoming a Landmark
The Muir house was studied and recorded in 1960. It was recognized for its important history.
In 1964, it became a National Historic Site. It is also a California Historical Landmark (#312) and a National Historic Landmark. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1988, Mount Wanda Nature Preserve was added to the Historic Site. Mount Wanda is named after one of John Muir's two daughters.
Visiting the John Muir National Historic Site
When you visit the John Muir National Historic Site, you can watch a film about John Muir's life. You can also take tours of his house. There are also nature walks on Mount Wanda. These walks let you explore the beautiful land Muir loved.
See also
In Spanish: Sitio Histórico Nacional John Muir para niños
