1891: A Novel about Stanford University

Let's see we were at the mausoleum. Near there are the cactus gardens. For some reason, during Victorian Days, the well-to-do felt cactus gardens were exotic. Even today, some people love cactus. I am not one of them. When I was last there, about a year ago, some of the cactus lovers were restoring the grounds. I imagine the site has vastly improved. And while I am at it, the grounds where the old Palo Alto grows, on Alma Street, were also improved by some dedicated individuals. They did a wonderful job. Too bad, when I was there, no one else was. Some joggers from Menlo Park passed through, but it was old stuff for them. Back to the Cactus Gardens, now I am capitalizing, about the best thing is to imagine Stanford couples romancing in this secluded area. It must have been interesting.

In my mind, the museum would be the next stop. Now it is the Cantor Museum and mostly devoted to art objects. When I was in school, the museum was closed, going through some kind of renovation. In the lobby, if you can imagine, was Stanford's own Steam Engine in all its glory. With the new emphasis, the engine was moved to Sacramento. That must have been interesting. There is a room devoted to the Stanford family, but I bet there are lots of memorabilia that is stacked in boxes like the storage area in Citizen Kane. I like the stuff identified with the Senator---particularly the pearl handled cane. It is in all of his later pictures and there it is in all its glory. The boy's art and stuff he colected shows that he was a pampered child. And why not, he would die when he was fourteen. And if he hadn't died there would be no Stanford University.

From the library, walk toward the main quad and you will go by the Chemistry Building, now vacant and waiting for what? Someone to come along and tear it down or use it as a real museum. Who knows. I was never in it. Chemistry was way off the beaten path. The reason it was so isolated was the explosion over at  San Jose's College of Pacific Because of that most of the students transferred to Stanford. For obvious reason, COP, in Strockton, has brushed that portion of their history under the carpet. I don't see why. It is a great school, and I think, overcoming that diversity is a wonderful accomplishment. But, as you will see, history is funny. People pick and choose the portions they want, and we have to guess at what really happened.

That's enough for now. Stay with us. We are approaching the oval and getting to the interesting part about the realtionship between Senator Stanford and Frederick Omsted. Please forgive the typos.

In the back of my mind, I have been thinking about providing visitors to Stanford University with a guide to the historical sites that can still be seen, that haven't been covered with shopping centers and parking lots. The guide would be provided at my site Http://earthlink.net/~jerryfranks. There is already something there but this guide would be more comprehensive.

It would start out in Palo Alto at the infamous tree which gave the area its name and the reason for being. It is at the end of Alma Street. Somewhat overshadowed now, but at one time, it overshadowed everything in the vacinity. Further down Alma, you can see the old Waterworks, originally designed by Dr. Marx. There are other sites in PA but those come up at a later date, and I want to stick to those associated with 1891: A Novel about Stanford University. The next place to go would be the mausoleum where the Stanfords and their son are buried. Nearby is a statue of the family group. The statue should be in the Memorial Quad where the Roudin statues are located. But that is another matter.

I can see this is going to take longer than I expected, so will continue at a later date. Remember this is a rough outline of what I plan to do.