Local History

          It’s not every dog who has the run of the Stanford campus in his own backyard. Lucky me, I do.

          I started the day bright and early today with a brisk campus walk at 7 a.m. I have a few favorite spots I like to show my walking partners – the historic sandstone and tile old quadrangle where freshman girls become Stanford women by kissing a senior under the full moon; the sparkling new science quadrangle with its contemporary interpretations of the original, mission-style architecture; and the Papua New Guinea sculpture garden with its Rodin-inspired carvings of totems, animals, and even The Thinker!

          My favorite spot of all is the little-known cactus garden that Mrs. Stanford planted near the proposed site for the new family home. Sadly, in the throes of grief over the death of Leland, Jr., the new family home never was built. Instead, a mausoleum occupies the site, housing the remains of Mama, Papa, and Leland Stanford, Jr.

          Mrs. Stanford’s Arizona cactus garden is just a stone’s throw from the mausoleum, off the beaten path but not far from civilization. This time of year the succulents are in bloom – prickly and colorful. Some of the plants look like something out of Dr. Seuss … or The Flintstone’s!

          Next time you’re on campus, check it out!