John Steinbeck House - Monte Sereno, CA
Posted by: 
DougK
N 37° 13.920 W 122° 00.155
10S E 588477 N 4121075
This was the first home that John Steinbeck owned. While living here Steinbeck completed "Of
Mice and Men" and wrote "The Grapes of Wrath".
Waymark Code: WM8AJB
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 03/01/2010
Views: 15
From the San Jose State University website on the
Center for Steinbeck Studies:
In May 1936, John and Carol Steinbeck purchased a .663 hectare plot of land in what was then Los Gatos, California (now Monte Sereno). Carol designed a 139 square meter home, built in the summer of 1936. This small, one-story wooden structure was to be the first home owned by Steinbeck. To insure his privacy, Steinbeck built an eight-foot grape stake fence around the property. On the entrance gate he placed a carved wooden plaque, "Arroyo del Ajo" or "Garlic Gulch." While living in this house, Steinbeck completed Of Mice and Men and wrote The Grapes of Wrath. There he entertained guests such as Burgess Meredith and Charlie Chaplin. Because other homes were being built close by to the Steinbecks, they began to lose their privacy. Consequently they moved again, selling this house in September 1938. In December 1989, this house was added to the National Historic Registry.
This home is now a private residence. Do not disturb the owners.