Jack London (1/12/1876 - 11/22/1916)

Jack London

Jack London was an internationally famous American author whose career evolved in pace with the development of commercial magazines. As a result he was able to make a very good living from his writings. In 1905 he established his “Beauty Ranch” in Glen Ellen, where he sought a life in conscious participation with nature.

Early article about Jack London

“The Simple Life” Suits Jack London Author is Camping in His Farm Near Glen Ellen Special Dispatch to The [San Francisco] Call Santa Rosa, June 27 [1905]—

Hatless, coatless and with shirt-collar open displaying a broad sunburnt chest, Jack London, the writer, rode into Santa Rosa to-day. The object of his coming was ordinary enough— to look up the titles of the property he recently purchased near Glen Ellen in this county. He was accompanied by his reported fiancee, Miss Kettredge of Glen Ellen, the daughter of a former manager of the Overland Monthly. The young lady, who is a sprightly little demiblonde, was dressed as outre as London himself, wearing a khaki suit with leggings. She was hatless. London is so tanned that his entire appearance is changed. His hair, that was once dark, is now almost yellow.

Speaking of his purchase near the pretty little village of Glen Ellen he said he was “just camping on the farm now.” “Some time,” he said, “I will build a shack to live in.” He is writing short stories for Eastern magazines. [Verbatum from The California Digital Newspaper Collection.]