Discover the San Francisco Columbarium
In a quiet corner of the Richmond District, the San Francisco Columbarium is a treasure trove of architecture, history, and heartfelt stories. This copper-domed beauty is the only non-denominational final resting place in the city, and it's open to the public, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of generations past. With its stunning neoclassical design, fascinating history, and one-of-a-kind charm, the Columbarium is more than a burial site—it's a journey into the soul of San Francisco.
The History of the San Francisco Columbarium
The Odd Fellows Cemetery
Let’s rewind to the late 1800s. The San Francisco Columbarium wasn’t always a solo act; it was part of the sprawling Odd Fellows Cemetery, a 167-acre resting place for San Francisco’s dearly departed.
British architect Bernard J.S. Cahill designed the Columbarium in 1898, adding a touch of grandeur to the Odd Fellows’ grounds. This columbarium was paired with a crematorium Cahill had built just a few years earlier in 1895, and together, they served as the heart of the cemetery.
But San Francisco was a growing city with a problem: space. In 1902, the city banned new burials, and by 1910, cremations were outlawed too. Cue the great exodus of the deceased to Colma, now famously known as “The City of the Dead.”
Graves were emptied, urns were packed up, and the once-bustling cemetery slowly faded into history. Yet the San Francisco Columbarium held its ground, watching as its neighbors were replaced with suburban houses and a public swimming pool.
The Great Decline: Pigeons, Raccoons, and Bootleggers
With no income from new burials, the Columbarium was left to fend for itself, changing hands like a hot potato. From the 1930s to the late 1970s, this once-majestic building fell into disrepair.
Vandals took over, mushrooms sprouted in shadowy corners, and rumors swirled that bootleggers had turned the place into a hideout during Prohibition. Oh, and let’s not forget the pigeons and raccoons who made it their unofficial headquarters.
But just when it seemed the San Francisco Columbarium might crumble into oblivion, a hero stepped in.
A New Lease on Life: Enter the Neptune Society
In 1980, the Neptune Society of Northern California bought the property and rolled up their sleeves. Enter Emmitt Watson, a painter-turned-restorer who not only revived the Columbarium but became its unofficial historian and storyteller.
Watson scrubbed away decades of grime, fixed up the ornate niches, and ensured the Columbarium shone like a phoenix rising from the ashes—quite fitting, don’t you think?
Thanks to these efforts, the Columbarium earned its spot as a San Francisco Designated Landmark in 1996. Today, it’s not just a place of remembrance but a living history book, with rooms named after mythological winds and constellations, and stained glass windows that cast kaleidoscopic light on tales of the city’s past.
Secrets Beneath the Surface
Of course, the Columbarium has its fair share of mysteries. Beneath its mosaic-tiled floors and Greco-Roman columns lie stories that were never exhumed. One such story surfaced in 2016 when the mummified remains of Edith Howard Cook, a two-year-old girl from the 19th century, were discovered underground. It’s a reminder that the past isn’t so far away, even in a city as fast-moving as San Francisco.
Stepping Inside the San Francisco Columbarium
What is a Columbarium?
A columbarium, derived from the Latin word columba meaning dove, originally referred to structures housing doves or pigeons. Today, the term signifies buildings designed to house cremated remains in memorial niches. Unlike traditional in-ground burials, columbaria allow for a more personal tribute, often showcasing the deceased’s personality, hobbies, and passions.
Architectural Design
The San Francisco Columbarium is an architectural masterpiece, blending Baroque and Neo-Classical styles. The structure features a stunning copper dome, a 45-foot-high rotunda, mosaic tile floors, and intricate stained-glass windows. Each of the four floors reveals balconies overlooking a central atrium, with over 8,500 niches that serve as a testament to the lives and stories of San Francisco's residents.
Notably, the columbarium includes eight ground-floor rooms named after mythological winds, many adorned with beautiful stained-glass artwork. Among these, the Aquilo room's depiction of three angels is an artistic highlight, possibly created by Louis Comfort Tiffany or John LaFarge.
Personalized Niches
One of the most distinctive features of the columbarium is the customization of niches. Families personalize glass-front niches with photographs, memorabilia, and items that celebrate their loved ones’ lives. From baseball-themed tributes to cherished jewelry, these displays add a deeply personal touch, transforming each niche into a unique story.
Burials at the San Francisco Columbarium
Honoring Individual Stories
The San Francisco Columbarium offers thousands of niches and vaults, each uniquely reflecting the personality of the individual interred. From urns shaped like golf bags to tributes adorned with dancing figurines, these memorials celebrate lives lived with vibrancy.
Veterans' Memorial Services
As a Level One Founding Community Partner with We Honor Veterans, the columbarium provides specialized services to honor veterans and their families. These tributes are crafted with respect and dignity, reflecting the sacrifices made by America’s heroes.
Notable Interments
Among those memorialized here are some of San Francisco’s most prominent figures, including:
- Harvey Milk: A dedication to the trailblazing politician and LGBTQ+ icon.
- Chet Helms: Known as the "Father of the Summer of Love."
- The Folger Family: Founders of Folgers Coffee.
- Jerry Juhl: Writer and puppeteer for The Muppets.
These interments, along with many others, paint a vivid picture of San Francisco’s cultural and historical tapestry.
What Makes the San Francisco Columbarium Stand Out?
Depicting San Francisco’s History
Step inside the San Francisco Columbarium, and you're transported through the decades. The niches lining its halls hold more than urns—they tell the stories of lives touched by moments of triumph and tragedy, from the 1906 earthquake to the AIDS epidemic. The Hall of Olympians, Hall of Titans, and Hall of Heroes each carry their unique significance, reflecting mythological grandeur and personal tributes alike.
Architectural Details
The Columbarium’s beauty is undeniable. Its grand rotunda features intricate mosaic tile floors, while its stained glass dome floods the space with ethereal light. The baroque and Greco-Roman influences shine through in every detail, from the delicate railings of the upper balconies to the carefully designed niches that turn each corridor into a visual delight.
Fun Facts About the San Francisco Columbarium
- A Survivor Against the Odds: The building outlasted San Francisco’s cemetery bans, the 1906 earthquake, and even raccoon invasions.
- A Famous Neighbor: The Columbarium is just a stone’s throw from Golden Gate Park, adding a dash of serenity to its already tranquil setting.
- Tour Guide Extraordinaire: Emmitt Watson, the resident caretaker, doesn’t just maintain the Columbarium—he brings its history to life with his unforgettable tours.
Visiting the San Francisco Columbarium
The San Francisco Columbarium is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Cremation gardens, benches, and pedestals provide spaces for visitors to pause and reflect. These beautifully landscaped areas create a peaceful environment, ideal for honoring loved ones and contemplating life’s moments.
To fully appreciate the columbarium’s intricate design and historical significance, visitors can schedule guided tours, (there is even a legendary Edith Howard Cook tour). These tours offer insights into the lives memorialized within its walls and the architectural marvels of the structure itself.
Explore Beyond the San Francisco Columbarium with CityDays
After immersing yourself in the history and beauty of the San Francisco Columbarium, why not extend your adventure with a CityDays scavenger or treasure hunt tour?
Scavenger Hunt tours are a great way to bring family and friends—or even dates and colleagues—together for an afternoon of great fun and adventure, solving clues and snapping photos. Clues will lead you to the big sights and those that you'd walk straight past.
For more information about our San Francisco Scavenger Hunts then click here: Top 6 Immersive San Francisco Scavenger Hunts & Treasure Hunts | CityDays.
