The Beauty Ranch
Jack London’s Legacy
Famed novelist Jack London became America’s highest paid author in 1905, writing about adventures in the Klondike and the Russo Japanese War and sailing his 60’ boat halfway around the world. Yet perhaps one of London’s finest legacies is his 1400 acre ranch on the slopes of Sonoma Mountain. Sometimes called “Beauty Ranch” or the “Ranch of Good Intentions,” the land, building and house museums exemplify both early 20th century life and London’s passionate pioneering efforts in agriculture and architecture.
The presentation by Chuck Levine and Elisa Stancil, authors of the book titled Jack London State Historic Park, will feature images from London’s photography rarely seen as well as curated photos from their research in Utah and the Huntington Library, where most of the London collection is now housed.
In 2012 Levine and Stancil were on the board of a small non-profit that re-tooled itself to become the first operator of a California State Park. Today about 100,000 visitors a year encounter the past and enjoy the 28+ miles of trails on the mountain where London lived, and died. Levine and Stancil will chronicle the 120 year history of London’s vision and the efforts of his widow, Charmian London and his step sister, Eliza Shepard, manager of the ranch, to carry on London’s legacy.
All courtesy of the Huntington, digitized from the Ranch Albums created by Charmian London during London’s lifetime
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Sonoma Community Center
276 E Napa Street
- Sonoma
Price: $10.00