In 1884, 15-year-old Leland and his parents were touring Europe when Leland became sick with typhoid in Italy. After a month of the finest care available, he died.
Mrs. Stanford was particularly grief-stricken by her son's death, and felt somehow responsible. Please read Theresa Johnston's excellent article to understand this better. It has even been suggested that Stanford University was first conceived during a seance.
This location is where Leland Stanford, Jr., was first buried after that fateful trip. Later, when the mausoleum was built, his body was moved to that location.
I find this poem very moving. I can feel her grief.
MUST I NOT HEAR WHAT
THOU HEAREST NOT,
TROUBLING THE AIR OF
THIS SUNNY SPOT?
IS THERE NOT SOMETHING
TO NONE BUT ME,
TOLD BY THE RUSTLING
OF EVERY TREE?
SONG HAS BEEN HERE WITH
ITS FLOW OF THOUGHT,
LOVE WITH ITS PASSIONATE
VISIONS FRAUGHT,
DEATH BREATHING STILLNESS
AND SADNESS AROUND
AND IS IT NOT, IS IT NOT
HAUNTED GROUND?
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YES IT IS HAUNTED, THIS
QUIET SCENE,
FAIR AS IT LOOKS
AND ALL SOFTLY GREEN,
YET FEAR THOU NOT, FOR
THE SPELL IS THROWN
AND THE MIGHT OF THE SHADOWS
ON ME ALONE.
HAVE I NOT UNDER
THESE WHISPERING LEAVES
WOVEN SUCH DREAMS
AS YOUNG HAPPY HEART WEAVES
SHADOWS UNTO WHICH
LIFE SEEMS BOUND
AND IS IT NOT, IS IT NOT
HAUNTED GROUND?
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On a brighter note, at this location is also the only remaining building from the time of the Stanfords!