Wake Robin was originally part of a vast Mexican rancho and later a 160-acre ranch It was transformed into a lodge during the 1890s by Joshua Chauvet. The deed has changed hands numerous times in the years since.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the lodge was an octagonal building with a hip roof rectangular wing, owned by Ninetta and Roscoe Eames, who had published Jack London’s earlier writings in their journal, The Overland Monthly.

Jack London began living full-time at Wake Robin Lodge in April 1905, after he became engaged to Charmian Kittredge. He used the Glen Ellen retreat as his home base for about six years. Though Jack and Charmian never owned Wake Robin together as a couple, it was their home base for almost a decade and an inspiration to London, who wrote his bestsellers The Sea Wolf and White Fang while living there.

Over the years Jack and Charmian purchased a series of seven neighboring farms they called the Beauty Ranch which is now Jack London State Historic Park. They moved to Beauty Ranch in 1911.

The house underwent a major remodel in 2014 but retained the footprint from London’s day. The unique octagonal living room as well as the lodge signage and front door said to be original to the 1890s construction. The property sold for $4.75 million in 2024.

The property is not visible from the public right-of-way.

Wake robin is is the common name for the perennial wildflower trillium. Named for its early spring blooming, the flower gets its nickname because it blossoms around the same time migratory robins return to northern latitudes.