Wolf House, the Magnificent Ruin

[NV Whino]

Jack London's dream home burned within days of its completion. You can visit the ruins at Jack London State Park in Glenn Ellen where you can also see his Beauty ranch.

This drawing by William R. Johnson depicts the completed Wolf House as it appeared before it burned down in August 1913. Designed by San Francisco Architect Albert Farr, construction started in 1911. The 4-story house was located on a small knoll overlooking the Valley of the Moon with a view toward the Mayacamas mountains. It was to have 15,000 square feet of living area, 26 rooms, 9 fire places with a dining room large enough to seat 50 and a 2-story party room. It was constructed of locally quarried rock, with a Mexican tile roof and redwood logs cut on the property. The fourth story consisted of a bedroom/writing room for Jack. And the "reflecting" pool is deep and more like a swimming pool. If you visit the park, there is a scale model in the museum.


There is a eucalyptus grove on the ranch. I haven't found any info on it, but it was obviously planted on purpose. I love these tall trees. Ive photographed and painted them several times.


After I left the park, I drove south out of glenn Ellen and stopped at the old mill. We crushed our first batches of olives at this place several years ago, but the olive crusher has moved, taking their original millstone with them. The water wheel is from an original grist mill. Several restaurants and a sculpture gallery occupy the location these days. They all looked good, but I opted to head back to Napa and have sushi.

[Solly Mack]

1. Nice shots! Thanks! Cool!

How was the sushi?

[NV Whino]

2. Sushi was so-so

My favorite place is Sushi Mambo at the other end of the valley. They were were in Napa, but were displaced by the earthquake. This place was originally owned by Japanese A couple of Mexican brothers bought it when Japan Airlines moved their training facility out of the Napa Airport. Sounds strange, but these Mexican lads know how to make good sushi.

[alfredo]

6. I guess if you can make Ceviche you can make sushi.

[Binkie The Clown]

3. Beautiful shots of a beautiful subject.

These truly need to be in B&W. They "sparkle".

[NV Whino]

4. Thanks

It's a real tragedy that London died so young, but his legacy lives on.

[alfredo]

5. Beautiful shots.

[Adsos Letter]

7. What alfredo and Binkie said.

First time I've seen these other than on my phone. They are beautiful.

[NV Whino]

8. Thanks.

You should stop by. There's a nice hike up to the lake, which I didn't take this time.