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Stanford Mausoleum: A Place of Remembrance and Reflection

Visit the Stanford Mausoleum, the final resting place of the Stanford family, and a unique landmark on the Stanford University campus.

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The Stanford Mausoleum, located on the Stanford University campus, is the final resting place of Leland Stanford Jr. and his parents, Leland and Jane Stanford. Originally intended as the site for the family mansion, it became a memorial after their son's death and a focal point of the university they founded.

A brief summary to Stanford Mausoleum

  • Palo Alto, California, 94304, US

Local tips

  • Visit during Founder's Day in October for a rare opportunity to see the inside of the mausoleum.
  • Explore the nearby Arizona Cactus Garden, originally planted as part of the Stanford family's estate.
  • Take a moment to view the Angel of Grief statue, dedicated to Jane Stanford's brother.
  • Bring a flashlight if you plan to visit the mausoleum in the evening, as there is no lighting in the area.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the central campus area, such as the Main Quad, the Stanford Mausoleum is accessible via a pleasant walk through the Stanford Arboretum. Head west, following signs towards the Arizona Cactus Garden. The mausoleum is located near the cactus garden. The walk is approximately half a mile on paved paths. No costs are associated with this approach.

  • Public Transport

    From the Palo Alto Transit Center (Caltrain and bus hub), take the Marguerite Shuttle Line P towards the campus Oval. Get off near the Oval and follow the walking directions through the Arboretum to the Mausoleum. Alternatively, from the Caltrain station at University Avenue, you can take SamTrans bus routes that service the Stanford area. Check SamTrans schedules for the closest stop to the Arboretum. Costs: * SamTrans: $2.25 standard fare. * Caltrain from San Jose Diridon to Palo Alto: $5 - $7. * Palo Alto Link: $4 regular fare.

  • Driving

    From US-101, take the Embarcadero Road West exit. Turn onto Galvez Street, then right at the roundabout onto Arboretum Road. Turn left onto Quarry Road and look for parking options near Vineyard Lane. From I-280, take the Alpine Road exit north, turn right on Junipero Serra Boulevard, and left on Campus Drive. Veer left onto Quarry Road. Parking is available in lots near the Center for Academic Medicine and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Building on Vineyard Lane. From the parking area, follow the paved path towards the Mausoleum (approximately half a mile). Costs: * Parking at the Vineyard Lane lots is free. * Daily rate at Palo Alto Caltrain Station: $5.50.

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Discover more about Stanford Mausoleum

The Stanford Mausoleum, completed in 1889, stands as a poignant reminder of the Stanford family's legacy and the university they established in memory of their son. Located in the northwest area of the Stanford University campus, within the Stanford University Arboretum, the mausoleum is near the Arizona Cactus Garden. The original plan was for this site to be the location of the Stanford family's grand mansion, but after the tragic loss of their son, Leland Jr., to typhoid in 1884, their plans shifted to building a university in his name. The mausoleum itself is an architectural gem, adorned with four marble sphinxes. Interestingly, the Greek sphinxes, initially intended for the front, were moved to the back at Mrs. Stanford's behest, who found their artistic effect "not pleasing". The front was then graced with more androgynous Egyptian-style sphinxes. Beyond its architectural features, the mausoleum holds a unique place in Stanford's history and student culture. It is the site of the annual Founders' Day ceremonies and, perhaps more famously, the traditional Mausoleum Party, a student Halloween event. University archaeologists have also found small shrines near the tomb, indicating its significance as a place of contemplation and spiritual reflection. The nearby Angel of Grief statue, a copy of a work by William Wetmore Story, serves as a memorial to Jane Stanford's brother, Henry Clay Lathrop. While the mausoleum is not always open to the public, it remains a compelling landmark, inviting visitors to reflect on the Stanford family's story and the enduring impact of their vision.

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