One hundred years ago Jack London— internationally renowned writer, thinker, adventurer, social activist, innovator and pioneering farmer—passed away on November 22, 2025 at his beloved Beauty Ranch in Glen Ellen, California.
Jack was the most popular and highest paid American author of his day, and the first American writer to make a million dollars. Of the 50 books and hundreds of essays he authored, Call of the Wild, White Fang, and others have been translated into over 70 languages.
Jack is also famous for his adventures, world travels, as an innovator, social activist, artist, philosopher and for his pioneering farmer experiments with sustainable agriculture as early as 1906.
During 2016 Jack London State Historic Park—the land that was his ranch—will mark this Centennial milestone and pay tribute to London’s legacy.
“Jack London State Historic Park--Discover Your Call of the Wild” is a special yearlong celebration of the life of Bay Area native son. Each month, Jack London State Historic Park will present key events at the Park and throughout the Bay Area that highlight his inspiration and innovation.
These ongoing activities will be featured and regularly updated online at www.jacklondonpark.com. Also during the 2016 Centennial year, a renowned Jack London scholar/historian will post an article on the Park’s website exploring Jack's history and legacy.
Sample highlights of key 2016 events will include:
- “The Klondike Challenge,” a call to log 500 miles walking throughout the Bay Area in 2016, a nod to Jack London’s 500 mile trek during the Canadian gold rush
- First Look Screening of Jack London: 20th Century Man, feature-length documentary for PBS produced by Oakland based filmmakers Chris and Holly Million (http://jacklondonfilm.com.
- Ongoing hikes at the Park to explore the place where Jack lived, wrote and drew his inspiration: themed Nature hikes, a spring photography walk as well as various fitness hikes (check Park website for details)
- Student writing contest inspired by Jack London’s books
- East Bay events planned for Oakland’s Jack London Legacy Celebration 2016 will include an exhibit and lecture at the Oakland Library as well as 11 months of programs and events sponsored by the California Writers Club, Alameda County Historical Society and others.
- Sonoma Arbor Day event: The planting of seedlings from “Jack’s Oak,” the 400 year old Heritage Oak Tree
- Piano concerts, lectures, Art in the Park, and book club discussions
- Plowing Play Day in May
- Gala in the Winery Ruins on September 17
- Special celebrity reading from London book at San Francisco’s 2016 Litquake Festival in October
- Light painting at the Wolf House in October
- Celebration honoring student winners of Bay Area wide writing contest
- “The Great Read” of White Fang-a cooperative initiative from Oakland and Sonoma libraries
- London historical photography exhibition
During 2016, “Discover Your Call of the Wild at Jack London State Historic Park” is an invitation for all to delve more deeply into Jack London’s legacy and explore how it relates to life today. And, at the same time, visitors may experience the spectacular 1400 scenic acres and 29 plus miles of trails at the Park, which was once the place Jack roamed and where he drew his inspiration.
Events and activities will be regularly updated online at www.jacklondonpark.com. or call (707) 938-5216.
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