The history of Stow Lake, located in the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, is shrouded in mystery.
Some say that the lake is haunted, but is it actually true?
In this article, we will reveal some of the haunted secrets of Stow Lake, as well as point aspiring ghost hunters to the best place to encounter the famous White Lady of Stow Lake.
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The Haunted History of Stow Lake in San Francisco
The Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park has long been a popular tourist destination.
It is a charming little oasis inside the bustling city, complete with pedal boats, quiet wooded paths, and a beautiful waterfall.
Generally, Stow Lake is a great place to have a picnic or simply wander about. That is if you do not mind a run-in with the park’s resident ghost, the White Lady of Stow Lake.
Rumor has it, back in the 1900s, a mother drowned her baby in the lake.
The mother was taking a casual stroll through the park with her three children, the baby asleep in the pram.
Growing tired, she decided to take a rest and sit down on one of the benches overlooking the water.
She was joined by another woman, and, as they were chatting, the mother’s attention wandered away from the baby.
When she looked away from her chatty conversation partner, her baby was gone.
The pram had rolled into the lake, never to be seen again.
Some say the other woman was a mischievous spirit looking to lure children away from their mothers to cause them pain.
Could it be true?
You can always go ask the White Lady yourself.
Where to Look for the White Lady of Stow Lake
The mother who accidentally drowned her baby in the lake spent hours searching for him around the lake.
Unable to find him, she committed suicide by submerging herself in the shallow lake water, leaving her two other children behind.
Later on, the baby’s body was discovered and retrieved from the lake. Hers was not.
Since, visitors often report encountering her ghost, dressed in white from head-to-toe, near the exit of the park, frantically pleading with strangers to help her find her baby.
Another great location to go searching for her? The Pioneer Mother statue.
The legend states that the statue, depicting a woman with two children, houses the spirit that haunts Stow Lake.
With its severe discoloration, the Pioneer Mother statue looks like something out of a horror movie.
People have noted that at night, the statue seems to have three children surrounding her instead of two: two older ones, and one that’s barely a toddler.
If you dare, stop by the statue at night and see for yourself!
The Haunt Experience
The White Lady of the Stow Lake is not the only ghost to be found residing in San Francisco.
If exploring creepy places and learning more about the haunted history of San Francisco sounds like your idea of a fun night out, check out our Haunted San Francisco Ghost Tour.
It will take you on an unforgettable journey through the streets of downtown San Francisco to show you a different side of our beloved city.
Ready to discover the dark side of SF?