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Monte Sereno, California Home of John Steinbeck

16250 Greenwood Lane

John and Carol Steinbeck purchased a 1.639 acre plot of land in what was then Los Gatos, California (now Monte Sereno) in May 1936.

In the summer of 1936 Carol and John Steinbeck’s 1,452 square foot home was built.

This small, single story, wood home was the first owned by Steinbeck. An eight-foot grape stake fence was built around the property to ensure Steinbeck’s privacy.

A carved wooden plaque, "Arroyo del Ajo" or "Garlic Gulch” was placed on the entrance gate.

Steinbeck completed Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath while living in his first Monte Sereno, California home. He also entertained Burgess Meredith and Charlie Chaplin in this home.

John and Carol Steinbeck sold this house in September 1938 because they began to lose their privacy as other homes were being built near by. In December 1989, this house was added to the National Historic Registry.

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