Golden Gate Park’s Stow Lake is now called Blue Heron Lake after the lake’s original namesake William W. Stow’s antisemitic past was brought to light.
Press Release: Stow Lake Renamed Blue Heron Lake
William W. Stow, the lake’s original namesake, was a State Assemblymember between 1854 and 1857 and served on the City’s park commission in the 1890s. He was also an antisemite who openly wished to rid California of its Jewish population, and attempted to tax Jews in order to discourage them from opening businesses.
Recreation and Park Commission to Select New Name for Stow Lake
A city supervisor will be seeking input from the public on a new name for Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park, after revelations that its traditional moniker honors a virulent anti-Semite led to a resolution to change it.
Press Release: Canoemobile ‘Floating Classroom’ Coming to Lake Merced, Stow Lake
Minnesota-based nonprofit Wilderness Inquiry is bringing its nationally-recognized Canoemobile program to San Francisco, CA, April 1–6, 2023, where it will connect more than 300 youth and families to Lake Merced and Stow Lake.
Great Blue Herons Return to Nests at Stow Lake
Starting April 15, San Francisco Nature Education volunteers will show the herons and their chicks to the public through high-powered spotting scopes. The program runs six Saturdays and concludes May 20.
Letter to the Editor: Give GG Park’s Patrick Quigley the Recognition He Deserves
I would like to publicly nominate Patrick Quigley, a man whom no one has ever heard of, as the most deserving person for the honor of having this feature of Golden Gate Park renamed in his honor.
Stow Lake May Be Renamed, Racism Charged
Another change for Golden Gate Park has been launched with an effort to rename Stow Lake, and the boathouse that serves it, after revelations that its namesake, the 19th-Century politician William W. Stow, was virulently anti-Semitic.
Great Blue Herons Return to Stow Lake for 29th Year
Four of the five nests have Great Blue Herons incubating eggs. The fifth nest is a newly constructed nest, and that pair of herons are now engaged in building the nest and courtship rituals.
Work Begins to Repair Stow Lake Paths
SF Recreation and Park Department workers removed eight trees. While several of these trees were downed because they hung over the road, most were removed because they have upended the asphalt path east of the Boat House …
Historical Photo: Sweeny/Sweeney Observatory
The Sweeny Observatory once graced the top of Strawberry Hill at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park.
Heron Lady: ‘My Feathered Friends Return to Stow Lake for 28th Year’
Six pairs of great blue herons are now sitting on their nests and incubating eggs in their island tree at Golden Gate Park’s Stow Lake. In April, eggs will begin to hatch in the various nests and a cacophony of squawking will be heard far and wide.
Great Blue Herons Return to Stow Lake
For the 26th year, great blue herons have returned to Stow Lake. They currently occupy six nests.
Arrest made related to fires in Golden Gate Park
An arrest related to several arson fires in Golden Gate Park has been made, although as of press time charges tied directly to those fires have not been filed. Police say the investigation is ongoing.
‘Ships Ahoy’
Photo of Stow Lake in Golden gate Park, circa 1900.
Strolling at the Lake
Photo from 1910 at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park.