Hello, I would like to asked about stow lake in Sanfrancisco. It's that true the mother and two kid die in stow lake. Some people say that the sprit are still there and if you go at night time you can heare the children crying. Also some people say the moter knock the car window and ask for her children. If you know any true thing happend in that stow lake please respond me. And I would like to know about the statues in the lake too. Which is One lady, one boy and one girl. Thank you for reading my letter. Have a nice day. Phyu...

-- Phyu Ei Lwin (lovely80girl@yahoo.com), April 24, 2001

Answers

My Grand Father Died in Stow Lake in the 1960s. He lived in Golden gate park when he was a boy, after his home was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake. He always had a special attachment to the park as do I. He would go there in the middle of the night sometimes. He was very ill the last time he went there. He had a siezure, fell in the lake and drowned. I don't know of any other deaths in or around the lake. I am sure there must have been one or two others. The lake is named for William Stow. HE was the director of the park at one time. He is buried in Mountian VIew Cemetary in Oakland California.

-- Timothy John Zuniga (mexilad@hotmail.com), August 11, 2001.

I did a little reearch about the statue. The Statue is called the Pioneer Woman and Children. It is located adjacent to a log cabin style building that houses the California Women's Pioneer Assosciation. That appears to be the connection and signifigance of the Statue. I hope this helps you. Good Luck.

-- Timothy J. Zuniga (mexilad@hotmail.com), August 17, 2001.

Well, from what I heard is that the statue is haunted. The story is that the woman originally had three kids. One day, one of her kids was taken from her and was found dead in the lake. So late at night, strange things happen when you go up to the statue or around the lake. Also, on certain nights, you will actually see three kids instead of two. The woman's hands look like they're open for three kids instead of two kids. They say that at night the woman walks around the lake looking for her missing child.

-- (Ajathegr8@aol.com), September 27, 2001.

I found this on a paranormal website. It’s a personal narrative about the Stow Lake statue:

http://members.tripod.com/~Ghostlyguy/073099.html

This is probably being conflated with the legend of “La Llorona.” La Llorona occurs in all cultures, not just as a hispanic legend. She is a woman who kills her children (sometimes, the symbolic “three children”) and wanders the earth in search of them, weeping and scaring the wits out of and people who pick her up as a hitchhiker:

http://www.castleofspirits.com/cryingwoman.html

-- Rosa Debonneheure (rosadebon@yahoo.com), September 27, 2001.

I RECENTLY WENT TO THAT LAKE AND STATUE..IT GIVES ME THE CREEPS.. I BET IT REALLY IS HAUNTED.. BUT I WANT TO KNOW THE REAL STORY THAT GOES BEHIND THAT STATUE..MY FRIEND SAID HE SAW THE STATUE CHANGE POSITIONS..WHEN COMMING BACK..AND WE HEARD WIERD NOISES COMMING FROM THE LAKE..THEN ALL THE SUDDEN ..IN THE DEAD SILENCE.. RIGHT BEFORE WE GET IN THE CAR.. A BIG SPLASH ..THEN BURN RUBBER AND EXIT THE PARK AS FAST AS WE COULD.. ANYONE ELSE WITH PAST EXPERIANCES PLZ LET ME KNOW

-- mister ghostly (casper@friendlyghost.com), September 05, 2002.

I wennt past stow lake and the statue in 2000 during the day it is a peaceful place, people walking by playing frisbee and catching the rays, it seams like any other statue. but at night it is a total change like something out of a horror film. During the day there was two kids and at night there were three, word to the wise don't get stuck.

-- Conrad Delmundo (cychomantis@attbi.com), May 23, 2003.

I have been to stow lake on many occasions and saw the statue numerous times. I hear that the statue changes positions, although all the times Ive been there the statue looked the same. The lady with her arms wide open to two kids.But......I can tell you what happened to me, my freshmen year of high school at SSFHS. Story- There are more than one incident that happened to me at Stow Lake, however I am not sure if the second one can be related, that is another story. This happened about five years ago when I was a freshmen in High School. I was into singing and enrolled myself into the school chorus. We had evening practices that were mandatory to attend, 7pm. - 9pm on Mondays and Wednesdays in the Auditorium. One night as I was getting dropped off to practice by my father, I raced to the auditorium thinking I was late. As I arrived at the auditorium doors there were only three people there (including myself) in the auditorium, my friend Jasmine and Jade. I asked them where everyone is, and they said that they all just didn’t show up. Therefore, since there were only three of us we couldn't practice any of our pieces, therefore we just sat around for maybe fifteen minutes trying to think about what to do. Since Jasmine had a car, she said "Do you just wanna go out?" I just said "Sure," as well did Jade. As a young teen not even the age of fifteen yet, this was an exciting first time to play hooky. As we drove down the street, Jasmine suggested to go to Stow Lake. Jasmine being the driver, Jade and I agreed. As we reached Martin Luther King Jr. Street (where the Lake is located), Jasmine started telling us the story of Stow Lake. From her acknowledgement, there used to be a lady and her two kids that lived next to the lake (Jasmine was telling us the story while driving down the dark, foggy road with no lights). One day when the kids went to go swimming in the lake, the mother suggested that she will meet up with them soon. As she made her way to the lake, she could not find her kids. She looked around the lake and also back home. She began to get worried, so she called the police. They set up a search party around the lake. They searched everywhere including the island in the middle of the lake. They couldn't find their bodies. The mother then dedicated her life into finding there bodies, however lost her life trying and now haunts the lake still looking of her children. On the lake, there is even a statue of the lady and her two kids. As we made our way to the lake we went straight instead of making a right (which leads towards the lake and the bridge to the middle Island.) As we went down the road we saw the infamous statue. Jasmine then exited the lake, however went back in again. This time we went right on that road instead of straight. As we went down the dark road, we saw the bridge and parked next to it. We got out of the car and walked around. Scared as we were we linked arms and started to walk. We only walked for maybe five minutes then went back to the car. We drove down the road towards the exit, as Jasmine was exiting she went back in the exit back towards the lake, so she was going the wrong way on a one way road. As we went near the bridge, Jasmine said she saw something, Jade and I started to say, "Yeah right Jaz, don’t try to scare us." As we approach the bridge she made a U- turn in the road, now the car was facing the right way and the entrance of the bridge was about twenty feet from the right side of the car. That’s when all three of us saw a bright - white figure walk down the lake. It had NO face and NO legs. As it approached the car, Jade and I yelled at Jasmine to get the hell out of there. She burned out in her 97 Accord and sped through the exit. We were all shocked at what we saw.All three of us had never seen anything so horrifying in our lives. The next day, during chorus class, we told people about our experience, however no one believes us. I know its something that only us three will share and remember. Even till this day, people don't believe me. Was it the lady looking for her kids? Or was all three of us seeing things? That is something that you the reader should ponder about. Till next time...... My email is Malekoakoni@msn.com, Please send me any feedback about a similar story or opinions. Thank you.

-- Mark Anthony Anat (malekoakoni@msn.com), June 13, 2003.

i went to the lake last night 9/9/03 thinking the story was fake, we parked next to the 2nd bridge and turned the truck off. in the silence we heard someone humming. so my boyfriend and i got out of the truck while our friend,Jeff, stayed in the truck. i put my hands on the bridge and my boyfriend said that i started to hum a song and froze for about 2 minutes. while i was standing there Jeff and Paul were yelling my name, i didn't even hear them, i was fixed on something in the lake that caught my eye, it looked like a little girl dressed all in white reaching for me to help her out of the water. i couldn't even walk away from the bridge because i had forgotten how to walk. then i ran to get in the truck and we left and drove around again and got out of the truck again, this time at the first bridge. i put my hands on the bridge and the humming got louder then we saw a cloud of smoke approach the bridge so we took off. then on the way out we slowly pulled up to the second bridge we stopped for a second and we saw a cloud of smoke come in front of the truck and went back and forth in front of the truck and the humming began to start again. we got out of there so fast that i don't think i ever want to go back there again.i belive the story now.

-- jessica coffey (twilight03@msn.com), September 10, 2003.

In response to jesica's reply... My brother Jeff has been talking about stow lake and the stories that have been told, so last saturday night i accompanied jessica and her boyfriend and jeff down to the lake. I drove a seperate car so I could leave soon after. I was pretty sceptical when we pulled up to the bridge. I waited in my car for the guys to get out of there's. Soon after they did, i hopped out. I was sitting in my car for a few minutes before i got out...nothing. But shorlty after I got out my car, it started rolling down the hill. I have driven a stick for 8 yrs. and NEVER leave the break down...EVER. It is second nature for me to pull it up....plus i was sitting in the car for a few before i got out ...why didn't it roll then? And it rolled soo slow considering it was on a hill..i walked up to it and jumped in. I took it as a sign to leave and i did. I am not sure if I'll go back.

-- jennifer (bellabenben@aol.com), September 18, 2003.

well nuttin serious happened 2 me in stow lake. i think i wuz 13 or 14 den wen me n' mai kuzzzins drove 2 stow lake. we parked da car next to the lake n' looked around. i didn't really believe my cuzzo's bout stow lake being haunted. den da same thang dat happened 2 jennifer happened 2 us. our car started moving backwards slowly but the parking brake wuz up, therefore the car shudn't be moving. then we heard the engine rev up, so we got out of there as soon as we can. den we came bak agen to check out da statue but nuttin really changed in the appearance of the statue. well dat aint dat serious like da white stuff but its still scary in a way.

-- Donnie (F0baL1cioUS@yahoo.com), October 16, 2003.

i like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shiti like to shit

-- i like to shit (shit@yomamasmouth.com), October 22, 2003.

I went to Stow Lake on 10.31.03 (yes Halloween) and we went in a huge van with 10 people including me, we followed the road for a while, then we saw this old chinese looking area where they would drink tea like in the chinese movies, and we saw a figure in the little canopy area, but we weren't quite sure so we just made a joke out of it and said it was prolly someone creepin' round tryin to get some by the lake for romantism or somethin. it was quite strange...then we decided to get out of the van after we U-turned and we walked towards this place a building of some sort next to a tiny area where the lake attached to a tiny pool area and there was a walk way which looked super creepy in the dark. but other than the "figure" or possibly someone we saw was the only creepy thing we saw.

-- Kimmie (vietlaydeephosho@yahoo.com), November 01, 2003.

Man, I was there on Halloween too! (10/31/2003) Just a couple hours ago actually... I must say.. I didn't experience anything that you guys did, but that place scared the life out of me and my friends. We couldn't find that bridge, but we went to the side of the lake and walked around. It was rather weird.. like you just get this weird feeling. Then we left... Then we went to the statue... we actually walked around it... and was messing with it but tot ell you the truth, i felt the most chilling feeling on my spine, no joke. Man, i must say that that place is weird. The statue didn't move.. and I didn't want it to but yeah... It's a scary place.

-- James (chri5jame5@aol.com), November 01, 2003.

i was there to on halloween maybe ya saw us we, we was the 5 kids hangin around takin pictures haha it was 3 grls and 2 guys, but yeah its just reallie freaky, but we didnt see nuthing, maybe cause there was hella ppl out there...but i heard in order for sumthing to happen u have to look the mom in the eye and i said i have your kids or sum shit, and if ya take pics of the statue the pics turn out freaky, who knows.

-- Whitney Nguyen (Oomunchkino0@aol.com), November 01, 2003.

I went to the lake about 3 or 4 years ago with my ex-boyfriend David and his friend named david S. I was very skeptical but at the the sametime intrigued and curious about the legend i was told. I was told that the woman drowned her two kids in the lake and in her despair, grief, and guilt is doomed to wander the stow lake site for the rest of eternity in search of her children murdered at her own hand. I was told if you go to the lake with no more than 3 people after 12:00am she will come to you and ask you if you know where her children are if you say you know where they are she will drown you in the lake if you say you do not know where her children are she will pass you by. On this particular night all three of us were looking for a rush. Armed with a baseball bat in the trunk of Davids car. We stood before the statue laughing and cracking jokes. After about 3-5 minutes of doing this David S said "hey shhh you guys i think i hear a baby crying!" David and i laughed and called david a wimp amongst other names. However david and i got quiet for 30 seconds and heard a baby's cry coming from inside the statue! we got scared and ran back to davids car. Later that same night we went back with two other friends and nothing happened. Perhaps because we had too many people with us the ghostly being was too shy to come out. It is true that you hear the baby's cry theres no mistakening that when three different people hear it all at the same time.

-- Lauren (LOULOU637@aol.com), May 25, 2004.

I went to the statue last night at about one in the morning. No one was really around so it was all silent and dark. Me and my two friends went up to about fifteen feet of the statue when a big gust of thick fog rolled in right in front of us, between the statue and us. It brought a really chilling wind, and all three of us started getting goosebumps. We all were about to take a step forward when we heard footsteps and a whisper coming from behind the statue in the dark woods. I have no idea what it was but we all ran back to the car to wait what appeared..nothing did. So we walked back up to the statue again, and I SWEAR the facial expressions of the mother and the children changed. I can't really describe it, but they looked angry. One of the children ceaseslessly stares at whoever is there and it looked mad. As we heard footsteps again, we decided it was probably best to leave. We got back to the car, and its windows were fogged up to the point where you could not see anything inside. I don't know why they were since no one was in there. My friend tried opening the door but it was locked. He swore he left them unlocked, we all saw him and agreed to purposely leave them unlocked. Luckily he had his keys, and was able to unlock them. As I got in, I realized it was VERY cold inside, like a freezer. A lot colder than it was outside, you could have stored frozen foods easily. As my friend started to turn the keys in the ignition, the car would not start. Possibly because it had gotten so cold? Which may have been due to the statue but I don't know. But, needless to say, we were all getting really scared and started to panic, and finally on like the sixth try, the car started and we got out of there in a hurry. I will say that I will never forget this. Beware all who approach her.

-- scared shitless (esugart@hotmail.com), July 17, 2004.

nuthin really happens der. me n my friends go there alot of times. whenever we are bored. we have walked around it alot of times. the only thing is that its dark n spooky dats bout it. weve been up the stairs to the cabin, weve kicked it on both bridges and even stayed a while in the tea garden thingey. but yea it aint all dat bad. its pretty fun cus wen u think u hear sumtin, it ends up to be a bum pushing a cart. theres always a group of people checkin it out so ur most likely to see other people der.

-- ben marcelo (binhamen1@comcast.net), October 16, 2004.

its all bs nuttin happens.. yall niggas is stupid, i be kickin it there erri day bluh aint shit over there nigga i drank n smoke down there.. the only scary thing is u cant get no munchies down there maNg.. ye ye so jus drank n smoke forEVer bluh Nigga fillmoE SuP wIcHu bLuh??????? he hA yeEEE nigga sTow Lake sTow bLunTS nigga and fORTIEs and BITCHES YEEE NIGAAA. im white

-- Dont beleieve this bs (yeayea@hotmail.com), December 27, 2004.