Jack London

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=478 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_London_State_Historic_Park Jack London State Historic Park, also known as Jack London Home and Ranch, is near Glen Ellen, California, situated on the eastern slope of Sonoma Mountain. It includes the ruins of a house burned a few months before Jack London and family were to move in, a cottage in which they had lived, another house built later, and the graves of Jack London and his wife. The Jack London home, called the Wolf House, is a sizable stone structure, which was destroyed by fire and whose ruins are visible within the state park property. The sloping terrain of the park has a considerable occurrence of Goulding clay loam soils, particularly in the lower reaches.

Jack London State Historic Park Our Mission The mission of the California Department of Parks and Recreation is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (707) 938-5216. This publication is available in alternate formats by contacting: CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P. O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.govv Discover the many states of California.™ Jack London State Historic Park 2400 London Ranch Road Glen Ellen, CA 95442 (707) 938-5216 © 1994 California State Parks (Rev. 2008) Printed on Recycled Paper he grapes on a score of Trolling hills are red with “ autumn flame. Across Sonoma Mountain wisps of sea fog are stealing . . . I have everything to make me glad I am alive. (I am filled with dreams and mysteries. I am all sun and air and sparkle. I am vitalized, organic.)” —Jack London J ack London was first attracted to the Sonoma Valley by its magnificent natural landscape. He had fought his way up out of the factories and waterfront dives of West Oakland to become one of the highest paid, most popular and prolific writers of his day. Although he had sailed the world over, this gentle landscape made him feel at home and anchored in the land. life and death and the struggle to survive with dignity and integrity, he also sought peace and quiet inspiration. His stories of high adventure were based on his own experiences at sea, in Alaska, or in the fields and factories of California. His writings appealed to millions worldwide. Jack London was also widely known for his personal exploits. Jack London at work He was a colorful, controversial personality, often in the news. Generally fun loving, he was quick to side with the The first inhabitants underdog against injustice of any kind. For thousands of years, these high hills, deep An eloquent public speaker, he was much canyons, fields and streams were home to sought after as a lecturer on socialism and the Coast Miwok people. They lived in small other economic and political topics. Most autonomous villages, with leadership from people considered London a living symbol heads of the largest and most influential of rugged individualism, a man whose families. Their lives began to change fabulous success was not due to special favor drastically around the early- to mid-1800s, of any kind, but to a combination of immense when the arrival of Europeans and other mental ability and vitality. settlers introduced serious diseases that Strikingly handsome, full of laughter, killed many natives. The remaining Miwok restless and courageous, always eager for were forced into servitude. adventure, Jack London was one of the most Today Coast Miwok descendants still live romantic figures of his time. in the area. The Coast Miwok and some of He ascribed his worldwide literary success the Southern Pomo have joined together largely to hard work—to “dig,” as he put as the Federally-recognized tribe known as it. Between 1900 and 1916, he completed the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. more than 50 fiction and nonfiction books, Jack London hundreds of short stories and numerous The author was born on January 12, 1876. By articles. Several of the books and many of the age 30, London was internationally famous short stories are classics and still popular; for Call of the Wild (1903), The Sea Wolf some have been translated into as many as (1904) and other literary and journalistic 70 languages. accomplishments. Though he wrote In addition to his many commitments, passionately about the great questions of London carried on voluminous correspondence (he received some 10,000 letters per year), read proofs of his work as it went to press, and negotiated with his agents and publishers. He spent time overseeing construction of his custombuilt sailing ship, the Snark (1906-1907); the construction of his dream house, Wolf House (1910-1913); and the operation of his farm, Beauty Ranch, after 1911. The natural beauty of Sonoma Valley was not lost on Jack London. The magnificent vistas and rolling hills of Glen Ellen were an ideal place for Jack and Charmian London to relax and enjoy the natural life. “When I first came here, tired of cities and people, I settled down on a little farm . . . 130 acres of the most beautiful, primitive land to be found in California.” Though the farm was badly run down, he reveled in its natural beauty. “All I wanted,” he said later, “was a quiet place in the country to write and loaf in and get out of Nature that something which we all need, only the most of us don’t know it.” So

Jack London State Historic Park Jack London State Historic Park • 2400 London Ranch Road • Glen Ellen, CA 95442 (707) 938-5216 • jacklondonshp@gmail.com • www.jacklondonpark.com Welcome to Jack London State Historic Park, once known as Jack London’s “Beauty Ranch.” The park’s 1,400 acres include the Beauty Ranch, museum, Wolf House ruins and more than 10 miles of trails. We recommend that you allow three hours to visit, but if your time is limited we offer three different one-hour tours of the park. We suggest purchasing a park brochure to aid in your self-guided wander through the past. MUSEUM: The Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. PICNIC AREAS: Picnic tables are available at the museum parking lot, the Wolf House ruins, the upper parking lot, and near London’s gravesite. A group picnic site is available for up to 50 people. Contact the park office for reservations. HORSES: Horse trailer parking is in the upper parking lot, far west end. Horses are required to stay on designated fire roads and trails. Watch for signs at each trailhead. Please collect horse droppings from the parking lot and take them home. Other park visitors will appreciate your consideration. RESTROOMS: Flush toilets are available in the museum parking lot, and chemical toilets are available in the upper parking lot and near London’s gravesite. BIKES are not allowed at the museum or the Wolf House ruins. Keep bikes on designated fire roads. There are seasonal restrictions on trail use. Watch for signs at each trailhead. DRINKING FOUNTAINS are located in the lower parking lot, at the museum, along the trail to the Wolf House ruins and at the upper lot picnic area. HIKING OPPORTUNITIES: The park offers more than 10 miles of fire roads and trails that traverse through mixed forest, oak woodlands and grassy meadows. Elevation changes from 600 to 2,300 feet. Carry lots of water, and watch for ticks, rattlesnakes, mountain lions and poison oak. Keep parks safe and natural! Report suspicious activities. DOGS are allowed on leash only in the historic area. They are not permitted beyond the silos or inside the buildings. Please clean up after your pets. Pig Palace Park Entrance Upp The Beauty Ranch Trail Restrooms il House of Happy Walls Museum Tr t ng er Lo ki Par il Tra Lower Lot Silos e k La Eucalyptus Parking Trees a Picnic Area Distillery e Lak Sherry Barn Ho Winery us Manure Pit To the Lake eS Ruins Stallion Barn and Bathhouse er f ol W Terraced Hillside View © 2008 California State Parks (Rev. 11/2010) London's Cottage Discover the many states of California.TM vic eR oad To Gravesite and Wolf House Ruins RECOMMENDED ONE-HOUR VISITS Tour #1 Museum and Wolf House Ruins. Park in the lower lot to the left of the entrance station. Follow the asphalt path to the House of Happy Walls. This museum will give you a glimpse into the adventurous life of Jack and Charmian London. The House of Happy Walls holds a collection of souvenirs from their travels throughout the South Seas. When you have finished touring the museum, leave by the front door and take the footpath to your left .6 miles to the Londons’ gravesites and the famous Wolf House ruins. Tour #2 Beauty Ranch Tour. Park in the upper lot to the right of the entrance station and walk back in time through Jack London’s experimental ranch. From the parking lot, a trail leads you over a knoll into 1911. The park brochure will guide you to each of the ranch buildings, historic sites and Jack London’s home, called the Cottage. The ranch tour is an easy walk on a gravel roadway approximately .5 miles. the other side of the lake and continue on the Mountain Trail for .15 miles to the Upper Lake Trailhead. This will take you through a forest of madrone, bay and redwood trees .2 miles to the Lake Spur. The Lake Spur will intersect with the Lake Trail and return you to the gravel road. EXPAND YOUR EXPERIENCE Docent-led Tours. A variety of tours are offered, typically at midday on weekends. Check the posted interpretive schedule for specific details. Wolf House Express. This service is available for people needing assistance getting to the Wolf House ruins and the museum. This free service is available between noon and 4 p.m. on the weekends and by appointment. The Cottage. The Londons’ ranch home has been restored and now serves as a house museum. Explore the building as it was furnished during the Londons’ occupancy, between 1911 and 1916. Here London wrote many of his later stories and novels and planned the development of Beauty Ranch. Tour #3 Lake Tour. This tour is for more energetic visitors seeking to understand why Jack selected the Valley of the Moon to lay down his anchor. Park at the far west end of the upper lot. Begin your hike at the Lake Trail near the horse corral; follow one-quarter mile until it intersects a gravel road. Go right, past the silos to a green pipe gate. Take the foot path to your right into the cool, moist redwood forest. This trail will lead