San Francisco Ghosts

4. Neptune Society Columbarium

San Francisco, CA

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The next stop on our tour is a structure built by Bernard J.S. Cahill in 1898 and is an excellent example of Neoclassical construction, the Columbarium in San Francisco is often considered for the final resting place of the city's elite. Today, it is the only active nondenominational cemetery in the city. Originally built as part of the Odd Fellows Cemetery, the Columbarium holds over 8,000 inurnment spaces. In the early twentieth century, San Francisco banned underground burial in the city limits. After the removal of the four cemeteries within the town's limits, the Columbarium was all that remained. As the final resting place for those who choose cremation, the Columbarium gives the same feeling as a cemetery; feelings that a nonliving person is present have been reported by many visitors. Other people say they heard footsteps when nobody else was around. However, it is the story of the building's caretaker that makes this stop warranted. It is said the caretaker once heard a little girl speaking in one part of the Columbarium. The caretaker followed the noise and found the little girl near a particular niche where remains of the dead are held. When the caretaker stepped closer to the girl to see if he could help find her family, she disappeared. The remains were those of a little girl who lived near the Columbarium in the beginning of the twentieth century. According to records, the little girl died soon after the San Francisco earthquake in 1906. After the earthquake, clean drinking water was very difficult to find, and the little girl drank water that had been polluted and died soon afterwards. The little girl was cremated and placed in the Columbarium. Today, the Columbarium is still active. It stands as a historical building in San Francisco, and welcomes visitors to tour the building. However, at night any unsuspecting guest might hear footsteps or the chatter of a little girl.