FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

When was John Muir born?

He was born on April 21, 1838.

Where was John Muir born?

Muir was born in Dunbar, Scotland, about 28 miles east of Edinburgh.

Who was John Muir?

John Muir was a writer, lecturer, geologist, botanist, glaciologist, explorer, school teacher, inventor, fruit rancher, husband, and father. He is considered America's most influential naturalist and a key figure in the creation of Yosemite National Park, among others. He co-founded the Sierra Club in 1892 and served as its first president until his death in 1914.

What did John Muir write?

He wrote and published over 300 magazine articles and 12 books, filled with his love for adventure, nature, and wilderness. At his death, he was working on a book about his travels in Alaska and had plans for ten more books.

What are the names of John Muir's books and when were they published?

  • Picturesque California (1888)
  • Mountains of California (1894)
  • Our National Parks (1901)
  • Stickeen (1909)
  • E.H. Harriman (1911)
  • My First Summer in the Sierra (1911)
  • The Yosemite (1912)
  • The Story of My Boyhood and Youth (1913)
  • Travels in Alaska (1915)
  • A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf (1916)
  • Cruise of the Corwin (1917)
  • Steep Trails (1918)

Why did John Muir choose to live in Martinez?

He married Louisa (Louie) Strentzel in 1880. Her family owned a large 2,600-acre ranch in the Alhambra Valley. Muir partnered with his father-in-law and managed the fruit ranch for ten years.

What was the population of Martinez during John Muir's time?

  • 1888: 875 people
  • 1890: About 1,000 (statistics destroyed in a fire)
  • 1900: 1,380
  • 1910: 2,115 (Martinez City Hall and Martinez City Museum)

Was John Muir a wealthy man?

In his youth, John Muir was not wealthy and took odd jobs to support himself. After managing the fruit ranch for ten years, he accumulated significant wealth and then focused on writing and preservation efforts.

Did John Muir have any children?

Yes, John and Louie had two daughters:

  • Wanda: Born March 25, 1881, died July 29, 1942 (61 years old)
  • Helen: Born January 23, 1886, died June 7, 1964 (78 years old)

Are there any descendants of John Muir?

Yes, John Muir had ten grandchildren. Wanda married Thomas Hanna, and they had six children. Helen married Buel Funk, and they had four sons.

What is the square footage of the Strentzel/Muir house?

The house has 10,010 square feet according to the architect's drawing, including all porches, attic, and basement.

Is all the furniture in the house original?

Much of the furniture is similar to what the Muirs owned, with many original pieces still with family members. Authentic Muir objects are displayed throughout the house, including Muir's desk in his study.

Did Theodore Roosevelt ever visit the house?

No, Theodore Roosevelt never visited the house, according to Helen Muir.

What famous people visited John Muir at this house?

  • William Keith (premier California artist)
  • John Swett (Superintendent of California Schools, Father of California Public Schools)
  • Charles Keeler (Berkeley poet and noted ornithologist)
  • Robert Underwood Johnson (editor of Century magazine)
  • William Colby (Sierra Club co-founder)
  • John Burroughs (famous American naturalist)

Was John Muir really a lousy father and husband?

John Muir was unconventional, but diaries and letters indicate he had a loving and understanding relationship with his family. Louie Muir supported his preservation efforts, and Muir spent time with his daughters on nature walks and trips.

How old was John Muir when he died, and where was he buried?

John Muir was 76 years old when he died on December 24, 1914, in a Los Angeles hospital from pneumonia. He is buried beside his wife in a small family cemetery about a mile south of the home.

To which clan did John Muir belong?

The Muir family belonged to the Gordon Clan.

How long has the site been a National Historic Site?

The John Muir National Historic Site has been designated since August 31, 1964.

What is Hetch Hetchy?

Hetch Hetchy is a valley along the Tuolumne River northeast of Yosemite Valley. It was dammed in 1923 to provide water and hydraulic power for San Francisco, despite John Muir's opposition.

Last updated: July 20, 2024

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Mailing Address:

4202 Alhambra Ave
Martinez, CA 94553

Phone:

925 228-8860

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