From Jack London to Luther Burbank: A look at 19th century Sonoma County homes

Imagine yourself curled up with a book on a plush velvet armchair aside a carved marble fireplace, the light from the flames flickering off a crystal chandelier as the bell sounds for dinner. It is fun to imagine what life was like in Sonoma County at the turn of the 19th century. These historic Sonoma County residences and living history museums offer visitors a chance to step back in time and explore a by-gone era.

Click through the gallery above to take a peek at this historic Sonoma County homes. Below, learn how you can see these homes in person.

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Jack London's Cottage and the House of Happy Walls

Travel back to the early 1900s, at Jack London Historic State Park. Imagine what life was like on Jack London's famed Beauty Ranch, an ahead of its time ranch that employed techniques foreshadowing of the organic and biodynamic methods of today. Multiple structures are yours to explore at the park including the Pig Palace, House of Happy Walls, London Cottage, winery and Wolf House ruins.

The Cottage, faithfully restored in 2006, is furnished with period furniture and artifacts from Jack and Charmian London's life at the ranch and travels. The principal home on the property, the 1911 structure was the environment in which many of London's later stories and novels were written. Both the Cottage and restored Stone Dining Room are open for visitors daily from noon to 4 p.m. Admission fees are $4 for adults, $2 for seniors (age 62+), and $2 for students (age 13-18). Admission is free for children age 12 and under.

2400 London Ranch Rd, Glen Ellen. jacklondonpark.com/index.html

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Luther Burbank Home and Gardens

Explore the turn of the century home and gardens of one of Santa Rosa's most famous residents Luther Burbank (1849-1926). The famed horticulturalist, responsible for such discoveries as the Burbank Russet Potato, Shasta Daisy, and Santa Rosa Plum lived in Santa Rosa from 1875 until his death in 1926. Although the grounds contain some of Burbank's experiments in plant breading including a plumcot tree and paradox walnut, most of Burbank's work was conducted at his Gold Ridge Experimental Farm in Sebastopol.

The Greek revival cottage on site was the primary residence of Luther Burbank and his first wife Helen; although his second wife Elizabeth returned to live there following Luther's death in 1926. It contains period furniture, colored glass, family keepsakes and photos. The furnishings are consistent with how they looked when Elizabeth inhabited the residence in her final years.

Drop-in guided tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday, April through October from 10 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. & Sunday 11 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Adults $10; Children 12-18, Seniors and College Students with ID $8.50; children under 12 free with an adult.

204 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa. lutherburbank.org

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General Mariano Vallejo's home, Lachryma Montis

Visit Lachryma Montis, the house and estate built by General Mariano Vallejo (1807-1890) when he returned to Sonoma as a State Senator.

Vallejo was a Spanish born military commander, politician, and rancher who guided the transition of California from a Mexican territory to a U.S. state. His Sonoma home built on a natural mountain spring, which he called Lachryma Montis which means “mountain tear” in Latin.

The structures you can visit include an 1852 Swiss style chalet currently housing the Vallejo museum and the 1851 Victorian Gothic main residence. This living history museum is furnished with period style furniture and many of Vallejo's personal affects.

Visit Lachryma Montis and the other structures in the Sonoma State Historic Park daily from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. for $3 per person age 17 and up and $2 for those ages 6 to17. The admission charge allows you to visit the Sonoma Mission, Sonoma Barracks, Toscano Hotel, General Vallejo Home and the Petaluma Adobe on the same day the ticket is purchased.

Sonoma State Historic Park, 20 E Spain St, Sonoma. sonomaparks.org/pub/htdocs/locations.html

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Petaluma Heritage Homes

The city of Petaluma contains several historic homes built at the turn of the 19th century. Many of the homes are registered National Historic Places built by famed architect Brainerd Jones who built around 80 percent of the city's earliest houses. Styles include Queen Anne Victorians, Arts and Crafts bungalows, and Edwardian-era Colonials.

The grandeur of these faithfully restored homes can be seen by a simple stroll around downtown Petaluma, but the Heritage Homes & Landmarks Association (a committee of the Petaluma Museum) offers a few opportunities for a closer view.

On December 3rd, they will be holding a holiday parlor tour, that allows visitors to see inside of some these historic structures.

To learn more about this or nominate a home for their biennial preservation award (entries due by June 1, 2017) visit www.petalumamuseum.com.

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Mableton/ McDonald Mansion

Currently a private residence, this stately home was built in 1877 for the McDonald family, a prominent San Francisco clan who made their money in roadways and property development.

You can view the exterior of the Victorian Stick/Eastlake style estate, as well as other homes on McDonald Avenue, on Halloween. The estate is also open to the public for charitable events.

1015 McDonald Ave., Santa Rosa