A true Renaissance Man. Jack London was not only a man of many interests, but he was also a man that pursued them with every ounce of his being. Many people will have known of Jack London through his novels such as Call of the Wild, The Sea Wolf and White Fang among his more popular writings. You probably read them in school, but it's when you revisit them as an adult is when you can really take in his writing.
But what many do not know about Jack London was his passion for life and to live every minute of it to the fullest. At Jack London State Historic Park, The Ranch of Good Intention or also known as Beauty Ranch, you can see some of what Jack was so passionate about. His ranch in Glen Ellen California is a tribute to his passions and his pursuit of a life well lived.
Weather Forecast For Glen Ellen, CA:
Quick Information:
* Address: 2400 London Ranch Road
Glen Ellen, Ca 95442
* Phone: (707) 938-5216
* Park Hours: 9am to 5pm
* Established: 1959
* Size: 1565 acres
* Elevation: 612
Day Use Fee:
$10
Dogs:
On leash only historic areas
Water:
No
Toilets:
Yes
When Jack London purchased the seven first parcels that would be Beauty Ranch, he vowed to make better use of them than the men who had come before him. Ranch of Good Intentions or Beauty Ranch was the only place that Jack placed his roots down. He came from modest roots, he had been a factory worker, seal hunter, a prospector. He was also a world traveler, a self-taught sailor, an author, a journalist, and an agriculturist.
When you visit Jack London State Historic Park, you can get a good glimpse of what he envisioned for his land and for agriculture. This park, though it's not the largest of our state parks, it has a lot to see. There is so much California history here.
Jack London State Historic Park:
Jack London Cottage:
Jack and Charmian lived in the cottage while the Wolf House was being built. The cottage was originally built in the 1860's and was purchased by the couple along with more land and with Kohler and Frohling Winery buildings. When the Wolf House was destroyed by fire in 1913 the couple expanded the cottage to accommodate them on a permanent basis.
The photo below is Jack London's office of sorts. Located inside the cottage, this is where Jack spent time writing, not just his stories, but he also spent time in here doing his farm managerial duties.
Winery Ruins:
The winery ruins that you see today actually once consisted of a bunkhouse. This building was dated to the same time as the cottage and was also a part of the Kohler & Frohling winery.
This was basically a lodge that had small rustic rooms. Families would stay in them to enjoy all that Beauty Ranch had to offer. It was that way until destroyed by fire in the 1960s.
The winery ruins are now available to rent for events. They were setting up for a concert when we were there. The Valley of the Moon (now Jack London Park Partners) receive a portion of the fees, this goes into preserving the park. Since they took over the park in 2012 under the California State Park system, they have been in charge of raising funds to make this park what it is today.
Jack Londons Dream Home: Wolf House 1910-1913
This was to be Jack dream home. It would have 15,000 square feet with 26 rooms and 9 fire places. On August 22nd, 1913 there was a fire, the entire home was lost except for the stone walls. This broke the author, it was said that he never really got over the loss, though he and Charmian did move on and added onto the cottage.
House of Happy Walls Museum 1919
The House of Happy Walls was built for Charmian London and Eliza Shepard, Jacks half sister. Both women continued to maintain and grow the ranch. Plus their duties included the continued legacy of Jack London and his writings. Eliza passed away in 1939 while Charmian continued on until her death in 1955. The House of Happy Walls in now an interactive museum.
The Death of Jack London and Grave Sites:
In 1907 Jack London and Charmian set off on what was to be a 2-year sailing voyage. It would be one to take them around the world. Setting off from the San Francisco Bay, they headed to Hawaii, where they spent five months before heading out to the South Pacific. They spent nearly the whole two years traveling, living and enjoying life and new adventures.
However, it wasn't all roses. Jack ended up with malaria, psoriasis, a fistula in his rectum, severe inflammation on his hands, and he and the crew ended up with a kind of flesh eating ulcer disease called Yaws. For this, he was treated using mercury chloride as antibiotics were not a thing at that time (1908).
The mercury chloride use for his skin ulcers (yaws) would prove to be his demise. As the mercury would go straight to his blood stream from his open ulcers. From there it would settle in his kidneys.
He would be sick from that time until his death November 22nd 1916 at the age of 40. Jack London died in the cottage in the closed in porch. His life, though short, had been lived to the fullest.
Jack London had known from the beginning of his life on the ranch that he would be buried on the property. The same year London was born, 1876, 2 pioneer children were buried there on the land that would eventually become his Beauty Ranch. He felt a closeness to them and knew he would be buried near to them. His ashes are buried there under a large rock that was taken from the Wolf House.
The Many Ventures and Legacy of Jack London
During his life on Beauty Ranch, Jack London pursued many methods of agriculture as well as animal husbandry. From eucalyptus to cactus. From breeding pigs and cattle to breeding Shire Horses.
Pig Palace:
Even though other farmers at the time couldn't exactly see the genius in Jacks piggery, it did not matter. This was an innovation in such a way that one care taker could manage all the pigs. Each had their own living space and the food was stored in the center. Because of the loss of Wolf House, Jack insisted that this building not have any wood included in it's building.
Pig Palace
Eucalyptus:
Jack London tried many new things on his ranch. Eucalyptus was one of them. Though it failed in what his goal was, the trees that you will see there today are a testimony to Jacks never ending quest for diversifying his ranch.
Stallion Barn:
This particular building was built in 1915 and it housed Jack and Charmians stallions. After Jacks passing, Charmain and Eliza continued all ranch operations. Charmian was a horse woman, she loved riding and continued to do so throughout her years.
I couldn't post all the buildings and things to see on the property as there are so many. Jack London lake and dam, Fern Lake, the orchard and many others. During the spring time this part is bright with wildflowers and deserves a good days worth of time to be able to explore everything there is to see.
Helpful Resources:
Visiting the Jack London State Park was my main resource. I also spoke with people who worked there, as well as the historical library and newspapers.