Located near Glen Ellen, Jack London State Historic Park is a real gem for those who love nature, literature, and history. The land that the park resides on was purchased by London in 1910 with hopes of becoming a rancher. Today, it’s home to what London left behind, including most famously a dilapidated structure known as the Wolf House. The unfinished property was meant to become the author’s main residence, but today its ruins are a reminder of simply what could’ve been.

Jack London State Historic Park is full of fascinating destinations, but the Wolf House is by far the most popular structure to visit.
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This 15,000-square-foot structure was intended to become London's main residence. However, that would never happen. The stone mansion was destroyed by fire on August 22, 1913...when the house was nearly complete.
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We can only imagine what a beautiful mansion these ruins would've made. Construction began in 1910 on the house, which was designed to include a reflection pool, a two-story-high living room, a giant library, a wine cellar, and refrigeration.
Orin Blomberg/Flickr

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With 26 rooms and nine fireplaces, the Wolf House completion would be a tour de force. The final cost of the mansion was about $75,000, or about $1.9 million in today's dollars.
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When the mansion was destroyed by fire, it devastated London - both mentally and financially. Only able to collect about $10,000 in insurance claims, London pledged to rebuild the mansion someday. Unfortunately, London died in 1916 before reconstruction could begin.
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Today, seeing the Wolf House is a mesmerizing experience. It's a shame to think of what could've been and how the mansion's destruction affected one of the country's most prolific writers. However, there's no denying that the mansion still holds a certain beauty even in its current state.
Frederique Lavoipierre/Flickr
No visit to this incredible state historic park is complete without seeing the Wolf House. Although in ruins, what remains of Jack London's ultimate masterpiece will evoke wonder. Learn more about the park by visiting its website.
Frederique Lavoipierre/Flickr

Have you been to Jack London State Historic Park? Tell us about your favorite thing about this park in the comments below!

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Jack London State Historic Park, 2400 London Ranch Rd, Glen Ellen, CA 95442, USA