Jack London Historical State Park

The House of Happy Walls was built for Charmian London in 1919, and she lived here during the latter part of her life until her death in 1955. The building is now a museum housing much of the Londons' memorabilia.

Statement of Significance (as of designation - December 29, 1962):
On this site stand the ruins of Wolf House (1913) and the House of Happy Walls (1919), as well as the graves of John Griffith London and his wife, Charmian. "Jack" London (1876-1916), the most popular novelist and short story writer of his day, wrote passionately and prolifically, drawing from his first-hand experience at sea or in Alaska or in the fields and factories of California; between 1900 and 1916 he completed 51 books, hundreds of short stories, and numerous articles on a wide range of topics.
. {Marker is located at the east end of the lower parking lot.}

Jack London, noted writer, traveler and lecturer, occupied these premises from 1905 to 1916. Born San Francisco, January 12, 1876. Died here, November 22, 1916.

"The Valley of the Moon", one of his best known books, is descriptive of this valley. Erected by Historic Landmarks Committee

Native Sons of the Golden West, June 9, 1940

{Marker is located at the east end of the lower parking lot, at the start of the trail up to the House of Happy Walls.}

{From the interpretive sign}: Construction began in 1911. Influenced by the catastrophic San Francisco earthquake and firestorm, London worked closely with architect Albert Farr. The rustic, fireproof design used local volcanic rock and unpeeled redwood mounted on a concrete foundation that could hold a 40 story building.

The four-story, 15,000 square foot house commanded a view of the Sonoma Valley. Its 26 rooms and 9 fireplaces cost about $50,000 and included such modern conveniences as hot water, heating, electic lighting, and refrigerating and vacuum cleaning plants.

{From the interpretive sign:} Tragically, a month before the Londons were to move in - August 22, 1913 - a fire probably caused by spontaneous combustion destroyed the home. "It was a very quick fire", said a devastated London. "The walls are still standing, and I shall rebuild." But suffering from poor health, London never recovered from the blow. Three years later, at the age of 40, he died of kidney failure.

In 1905, London originally bought the first 129 acres in the area as a place to live and write in. However, by 1913 he had expanded his holdings to over 1,300 acres, determined to create a model farm, using techniques that many today would consider a part of sustainable agriculture.

In the foreground are a type of Spineless Prickly Pear Cactus, developed by Luther Burbank, that were grown on the ranch as cattle fodder. In Hawaii, London had seen well-fed cattle that had cactus as part of their diet. London's experiment failed, as there were more efficient fodder crops.

In the back ground, left to right, are the stable (formerly the sherry distillery for the Kohler and Frohling Winery, built 1884), a building for processing and holding manure, and a barn for London's thoroughbred Shire stallions.

These silos, completed in 1913 and 1915 and built of hollow-core cinder blocks, were the first of their kind on the West Coast, storing corn silage for feeding cattle and pigs.

In 1911, the London's bought the former Kohler-Frohling Tokay Ranch buildings, including this one, which became The Cottage. Of the three houses in the state park, this is the only house in which Jack actually lived.

{Per the interpretive sign:}"...Six days a week he was up early, often by 5:00 a.m., working on his latest story and writing at least a thousand words before sharing the midday meal with Charmian and their guests."

It was here that Jack was found unconscious on the morning of November 22, 1916. He died later that evening, with the cause of death listed as uremic poisoning due to kidney failure.

{Per the interpretive sign:}"On November 26, 1916, in a silent ceremony, Charmian London placed her husband's ashes on the chosen knoll under this stone. After she passed away in 1955, Charmian's ashes were also laid to rest here."

Vineyards, formerly owned by Jack and now held by some of his descendants, border The Cottage grounds and provide a golden backdrop to the park during late fall.