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41-471: 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 was occupied by a winery called Kohler & Frohling . Jack London purchased

82-456: A living room two stories high measuring 18 by 58 feet (5.5 by 17.7 m). In response to London's wish for modern amenities, Farr's plans included a water heater, electric lighting, refrigeration, a built-in vacuum cleaning system, laundry facilities including a "steam dryer rotary wringer", and a wine cellar. Mindful of the severe damage caused by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake , London and Farr incorporated great strength and durability into

123-456: A living room two stories high measuring 18 by 58 feet (5.5 by 17.7 m). In response to London's wish for modern amenities, Farr's plans included a water heater, electric lighting, refrigeration, a built-in vacuum cleaning system, laundry facilities including a "steam dryer rotary wringer", and a wine cellar. Mindful of the severe damage caused by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake , London and Farr incorporated great strength and durability into

164-800: A speech by the Londons' friend Anna Strunsky . Today, more than 800 acres of London's Beauty Ranch have been preserved. The site is owned by the California State Parks system, and operated by Valley of the Moon Natural History Assn. DBA Jack London Park Partners The park has been entrusted to the Valley of the Moon Natural History Association (VMNHA) due to the statewide budget problems experienced in 2012. The California State Park system

205-575: Is a smaller and a more formal version of the Wolf House, and much of its furniture was originally intended for use in the Wolf House. Charmian lived in The House of Happy Walls until her death in 1955. In her will, written in 1938, she asked that the various properties of Beauty Ranch become a museum open to the public but was especially concerned about the House of Happy Walls: "In case of my death, it

246-499: Is an unfinished property that was intended to be the main residence of the Londons. Construction on the 15,000 square foot (1,393 square meters) house began in 1910. Its design included only materials native to the area, a reflection pool stocked with mountain bass, and custom made furniture. The house was nearly complete in 1913, but before the Londons got to move in, the house burnt down on August 22 of that year. The ruins still stand today. Losses were estimated at $ 35,000 to $ 40,000 but

287-656: Is breaking new ground by allowing private non-profit groups to operate State Parks slated for closure. The Winery ruins next to the cottage were host to the Transcendence Theatre Company 's benefit performance on Saturday, October 1, 2011, for the VMNHA. The Theatre Company planned to partner with the VMNHA to produce a concert series in summer of 2012 which would also benefit the Annadel , Sugarloaf Ridge , and Jack London State Parks. The Winery Cottage

328-409: Is my wish that my home, 'House of Happy Walls' is not to be lived in by anyone except a caretaker. This building & its arrangements are peculiarly an expression of myself and its ultimate purpose is that of a museum to Jack London & myself. It can be used for the purpose of revenue." Today the building serves as the visitor center and a museum for Jack London State Historic Park. The Wolf House

369-511: The London family donated the property to the State of California in 1960. The Wolf House ruins were designated a California Historical Landmark in 1959, and a National Historic Landmark in 1963. Steel bracing was added to the masonry structure in 1965 to prevent deterioration. Although the interior of the ruins is fenced off, visitors can walk up to the exterior walls of the structure. Wolf House

410-407: The London family donated the property to the State of California in 1960. The Wolf House ruins were designated a California Historical Landmark in 1959, and a National Historic Landmark in 1963. Steel bracing was added to the masonry structure in 1965 to prevent deterioration. Although the interior of the ruins is fenced off, visitors can walk up to the exterior walls of the structure. Wolf House

451-530: The Londons collected only $ 10,000 in insurance claims. They pledged to rebuild the house and workers began drying redwood logs in preparation. Jack was in poor health, however, and he died in 1916 before the wood was ready. Construction halted with his death. Jack and Charmian London are both buried on the property not far from the Wolf House. After his earlier funeral in Oakland, Jack's ashes were spread at sunset on November 26, 1916, at this small knoll overlooking

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492-485: The Valley of the Moon. Charmian, Jack's sister Eliza, and a few workers were the only people in attendance. In accordance with his wishes, his ashes were laid next to some pioneer children, under a rock that belonged to the Wolf House. After Charmian's death in 1955, she was also cremated and then buried with her husband in the same simple spot that her husband chose. Wolf House (Glen Ellen, California) Wolf House

533-409: The Wolf House. Jack and Charmian spent more than $ 80,000 in pre- World War I money on the house. It was to be 15,000 square feet (1,393 square meters), have custom made furniture and decorations, and feature a reflection pool stocked with mountain bass . On August 22, 1913, while the Londons were away from their ranch, they received word that their new mansion was on fire. By the time they got there

574-456: The building was completely overtaken by the fire, and it was too late to save the house. London was devastated after the fire burnt down the house that he never got to live in. This put London in debt and forced him to literally work to death, as he tried to earn enough money to run his ranch and have a good lifestyle. On November 22, 1916, London died of a cause that is still disputed today. He wished to be cremated and have his ashes interred on

615-571: The design of the structure. A 1987 study by a group of architectural historians said that Wolf House "can be thought of as a combination of one of Greene and Greene 's 'ultimate bungalows' of Southern California and one of the great lodges of the Adirondack mountains". The house was 15,000 square feet (1,400 m ), with 26 rooms and nine fireplaces. Construction began late in 1910 as stones were blasted and trees cut. London hired Italian stonemason Natale Forni (1871–1948) as foreman for

656-512: The design of the structure. A 1987 study by a group of architectural historians said that Wolf House "can be thought of as a combination of one of Greene and Greene 's 'ultimate bungalows' of Southern California and one of the great lodges of the Adirondack mountains". The house was 15,000 square feet (1,400 m ), with 26 rooms and nine fireplaces. Construction began late in 1910 as stones were blasted and trees cut. London hired Italian stonemason Natale Forni (1871–1948) as foreman for

697-429: The fire, on November 22, 1916. Charmian London continued living at Beauty Ranch until her death in 1955, settling eventually into a home she called "The House of Happy Walls", about half a mile (800 m) from the Wolf House ruins. There she protected her husband's legacy and wrote a biography of him. Her home is now a museum. Both Jack and Charmian London are buried at Beauty Ranch, as is Jack's sister Eliza. Heirs of

738-429: The fire, on November 22, 1916. Charmian London continued living at Beauty Ranch until her death in 1955, settling eventually into a home she called "The House of Happy Walls", about half a mile (800 m) from the Wolf House ruins. There she protected her husband's legacy and wrote a biography of him. Her home is now a museum. Both Jack and Charmian London are buried at Beauty Ranch, as is Jack's sister Eliza. Heirs of

779-466: The flammable finishing materials. The fire probably started in oil-soaked cotton rags, in the ground floor dining room, below the library and Jack London's work room. Some of the windows had not yet been installed, allowing free air flow to feed the fire. The fire probably ignited the wood floor first, then spread to the wood wall paneling. By the time the fire was discovered, it was out of control. Wolf House (Glen Ellen, California) Wolf House

820-423: The home, and collected $ 10,000 in claims. The National Union Fire Insurance Company later featured a thank you letter written by London in an advertising campaign. Jack London pledged to rebuild the house, and his workers began to cut fresh redwood logs, which had to be dried and cured for 18 months before reconstruction could begin. However, London's health declined, and he died three years and three months after

861-423: The home, and collected $ 10,000 in claims. The National Union Fire Insurance Company later featured a thank you letter written by London in an advertising campaign. Jack London pledged to rebuild the house, and his workers began to cut fresh redwood logs, which had to be dried and cured for 18 months before reconstruction could begin. However, London's health declined, and he died three years and three months after

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902-499: The house must be "honest in construction, material and appearance". He described modern bathrooms, spacious and well-appointed servant's quarters, easy cleaning and maintenance, good ventilation and ample fireplaces. He predicted that he would build his dream house in seven to ten years. London had purchased a 130-acre (53 ha) farm in the Sonoma Valley in about 1905. He later purchased several adjoining parcels, increasing

943-437: The house must be "honest in construction, material and appearance". He described modern bathrooms, spacious and well-appointed servant's quarters, easy cleaning and maintenance, good ventilation and ample fireplaces. He predicted that he would build his dream house in seven to ten years. London had purchased a 130-acre (53 ha) farm in the Sonoma Valley in about 1905. He later purchased several adjoining parcels, increasing

984-457: The project. He also hired his older sister Eliza London Shepard (1867–1939) as his ranch superintendent, and she was involved in the day-to-day management of the construction. The structure of the home was built of five primary materials, all obtained locally: Coast Redwood logs with bark intact, boulders, chunks of volcanic rock blasted out of the ground and otherwise unquarried, blue slate , and concrete . Construction of Wolf House

1025-457: The project. He also hired his older sister Eliza London Shepard (1867–1939) as his ranch superintendent, and she was involved in the day-to-day management of the construction. The structure of the home was built of five primary materials, all obtained locally: Coast Redwood logs with bark intact, boulders, chunks of volcanic rock blasted out of the ground and otherwise unquarried, blue slate , and concrete . Construction of Wolf House

1066-509: The project. Jack's sister Eliza wept that night. Charmian London later wrote that Eliza was "scarred to her soul" and that the foreman Forni was "like a father who had lost his child, and in danger of losing his reason". His wife also wrote that "the razing of his house killed something in Jack, and he never ceased to feel the tragic inner sense of loss". Financial losses were estimated at $ 35,000 to $ 40,000. London had several insurance policies on

1107-458: The project. Jack's sister Eliza wept that night. Charmian London later wrote that Eliza was "scarred to her soul" and that the foreman Forni was "like a father who had lost his child, and in danger of losing his reason". His wife also wrote that "the razing of his house killed something in Jack, and he never ceased to feel the tragic inner sense of loss". Financial losses were estimated at $ 35,000 to $ 40,000. London had several insurance policies on

1148-415: The property when it was abandoned in 1905 with hopes of becoming a rancher. He named it Beauty Ranch. While London was there, he expanded the small cottage to 3,000 square feet (279 square meters) and converted the stone house next to it into a study where London would write his works. Between 1909 and 1911, London bought more land to expand his ranch. In 1910, he began work on his mansion on his ranch called

1189-532: The property. He also stated that he wanted to be buried near the pioneer children on a hill underneath a rock from the Wolf House, which was just down the road. After Jack London died, his wife Charmian inherited the property. During that time she built a house on the land called the House of Happy Walls, which is a smaller version of the Wolf House. Charmian lived there until her death in 1955. Jack's half-sister Eliza Shepard superintended Beauty Ranch until her own death in 1939; her grandson Milo Shepard later inherited

1230-402: The same role. Charmian died in 1955 and, by 1959, the land and its structures were given to the state of California with the help of Eliza's son Irving Shepard and his wife Mildred. The next year, 1960, the property was declared a California Historical Landmark and a National Historic Landmark in 1962. On September 24, 1960, the new state park hosted an opening dedication ceremony that included

1271-517: The size of the farm to approximately 1,200 acres (490 ha). About one third was cultivated, and two thirds was wooded hillsides. He called the property "Wonder Ranch". London hired San Francisco architect Albert L. Farr to design the home. Farr was a leading exponent of Arts and Crafts architecture in California. The design was described as "rustic and individualistic", and featured a library measuring 19 by 40 feet (5.8 by 12.2 m), and

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1312-458: The size of the farm to approximately 1,200 acres (490 ha). About one third was cultivated, and two thirds was wooded hillsides. He called the property "Wonder Ranch". London hired San Francisco architect Albert L. Farr to design the home. Farr was a leading exponent of Arts and Crafts architecture in California. The design was described as "rustic and individualistic", and featured a library measuring 19 by 40 feet (5.8 by 12.2 m), and

1353-660: Was a 26-room mansion in Glen Ellen, California , built by novelist Jack London and his wife Charmian London . The house burned on August 22, 1913, shortly before the Londons were planning to move in. Stone ruins of the never-occupied home still stand, and are part of Jack London State Historic Park , which has been a National Historic Landmark since 1963. In an essay called "The House Beautiful", written in 1906 and published in his 1909 book Revolution and Other Essays , London described his ideal "dream house". He wrote that "Utility and beauty must be indissolubly wedded" and said

1394-602: Was a 26-room mansion in Glen Ellen, California , built by novelist Jack London and his wife Charmian London . The house burned on August 22, 1913, shortly before the Londons were planning to move in. Stone ruins of the never-occupied home still stand, and are part of Jack London State Historic Park , which has been a National Historic Landmark since 1963. In an essay called "The House Beautiful", written in 1906 and published in his 1909 book Revolution and Other Essays , London described his ideal "dream house". He wrote that "Utility and beauty must be indissolubly wedded" and said

1435-409: Was almost complete and the Londons were planning to move in when a fire began late on the night of August 22, 1913. The fire spread rapidly and gutted the interior of the house, although the massive masonry walls remained standing. The red tile roof collapsed into the interior. Although arson was suspected, no strong evidence was ever discovered. The fire had a profound effect on those most involved in

1476-409: Was almost complete and the Londons were planning to move in when a fire began late on the night of August 22, 1913. The fire spread rapidly and gutted the interior of the house, although the massive masonry walls remained standing. The red tile roof collapsed into the interior. Although arson was suspected, no strong evidence was ever discovered. The fire had a profound effect on those most involved in

1517-414: Was no lightning. The investigators found no evidence of arson, or of an electrical fire, since the generator had not been installed. Instead, they identified spontaneous combustion as the most likely cause. Earlier on the day the fire started, a linseed oil finish was being applied to the "magnificent" oak and walnut interior cabinets and woodwork. Workers had previously been rebuked for carelessness with

1558-414: Was no lightning. The investigators found no evidence of arson, or of an electrical fire, since the generator had not been installed. Instead, they identified spontaneous combustion as the most likely cause. Earlier on the day the fire started, a linseed oil finish was being applied to the "magnificent" oak and walnut interior cabinets and woodwork. Workers had previously been rebuked for carelessness with

1599-618: Was one of the first ones to be added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966, because of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 which was signed that same day. In 1995, a forensic analysis of the cause of the fire was completed by a team of ten experts led by Robert N. Anderson, a retired engineering professor from San Jose State University . Various possible causes were ruled out. The day had been very hot, but there

1640-461: Was one of the first ones to be added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966, because of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 which was signed that same day. In 1995, a forensic analysis of the cause of the fire was completed by a team of ten experts led by Robert N. Anderson, a retired engineering professor from San Jose State University . Various possible causes were ruled out. The day had been very hot, but there

1681-455: Was the main living quarters throughout London's time on the ranch, and the location where many of his visitors stayed. London bought it in 1911 and expanded it later that year. London further expanded by adding a west wing to the cottage, which served as a study where he wrote many of his stories. London died in this cottage, on the sunporch, on November 22, 1916. Charmian London constructed The House of Happy Walls in 1919, in memory of Jack. It

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