Where Did Jack London Live in Oakland?

By Anna Duncan

Oakland, California is a city with a rich history, and one of the most famous residents to call it home was Jack London. Born in San Francisco in 1876, London spent much of his youth in Oakland before becoming a renowned writer and adventurer. Many people wonder where exactly Jack London lived during his time in Oakland, so let’s explore that question.

Jack London’s Life

Before diving into where Jack London lived in Oakland, let’s take a brief look at his life. As mentioned, London was born in San Francisco but moved to Oakland with his family when he was young. He attended school there until the eighth grade when he left to help support his family.

Despite not finishing his formal education, London was an avid reader and self-taught writer. He became known for his adventure stories such as “The Call of the Wild” and “White Fang,” which were set in Alaska during the Gold Rush.

London also had a deep connection to Oakland and often wrote about the city in his works. In fact, he based one of his most famous novels, “The Valley of the Moon,” on a trip he took with his wife to Sonoma County from their home in Oakland.

Where Did Jack London Live?

So where exactly did Jack London live while he called Oakland home? The answer is not straightforward as he moved around quite a bit within the city.

One of the most well-known places associated with London is the home located at 1219 DeFremery Street. This house is now known as the Jack London House and is open to visitors as part of the Oakland Parks and Recreation Department.

However, while this house may be the most famous, it wasn’t actually where London spent most of his time in Oakland. In fact, he only lived there for about six months before moving on to other residences.

One such residence was located at 1524 9th Street, which is now a designated historical landmark. London lived here for a longer period of time and even wrote some of his most famous works in this house.

Another residence associated with London is located at 1032 34th Street. This house was where London lived with his second wife, Charmian Kittredge, and is now a private residence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the Jack London House may be the most well-known residence associated with the famous writer, it was not where he spent most of his time in Oakland. Instead, he moved around quite a bit within the city and lived in various locations such as 1524 9th Street and 1032 34th Street.

Regardless of where he lived within Oakland, Jack London’s legacy lives on throughout the city through various landmarks and tributes to his life and work.