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| Landmark #743 | Sonoma County | Visited: February 19, 2012 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | The park visitor center and fantastic ruins of Jack London’s Wolf House! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: This is the “House of Happy Walls,” built in 1919 by Charmian K. London in memory of her husband, renowned author Jack London. Here are housed many of his works and the collection gathered in their travels throughout the world. In 1960, Charmian’s house, the ruins of Jack’s “Wolf House,” and his grave were presented to the State by his nephew, Irving Shepard.
OTHER TIDBITS: Insatiable adventurer and renowned author, who penned such works as The Call of the Wild, White Fang and The Sea Wolf, came here in 1905 to escape the “man trap” of Oakland! He had a ranch, a winery, and what would soon become his dream home here in the woods of the Valley of the Moon! His Wolf House is truly the most spectacular feature of this park! Since Mr. London wrote so much about dogs and wolves, he earned the nickname, “The Wolf!” So it made sense that his dream house should be called “Wolf House.” This fabulous mansion never made it from the dream stage, though, because in August 1913, the building caught fire, leaving only the stone foundations! Mr. London vowed to rebuild it, but he died from gastrointestinal uremic poisoning far too soon! This landmark is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Glen Ellen ANNOTATIONS: 2400 London Ranch Rd From Los Angeles: ~417mi (672km) — 7hrs |
| When should I go? | The park is open from 9:30 AM until 5:00 PM, but its days of operation are seasonal! It’s open every day from March 1 until November 30, but only Thursday to Monday from December 1 through February 28! |
