SF Supervisors urge a name change for Golden Gate Park’s Stow Lake
During his time as Assembly Speaker, William Stow proposed a tax on Jews and publicly embraced antisemitic rhetoric, such as wishing he had the power to eliminate Jewish people from California.
By Olivia Wynkoop | Bay City News
San Francisco supervisors approved a resolution on Tuesday urging park officials to rename Golden Gate Park’s Stow Lake to a name that reflects the city’s “values of celebrating diversity.”
The lake was named for former California State Assembly Speaker William Stow when it was created in 1893. Stow had been assembly speaker in 1855 and after leaving office was appointed to the San Francisco Park Commission in 1889.
During his time as speaker, Stow proposed a tax on Jews and publicly embraced antisemitic rhetoric, such as wishing he had the power to eliminate Jewish people from California, according to the resolution.
The resolution asks the Recreation and Park Commission to rename the lake, its boathouse and the drive circling Strawberry Hill that are named after Stow.
“The city’s parks and outdoor spaces are for everyone in this diverse community and should not enshrine names of persons who utilize their positions of power to promote hatred or exclusion,” the resolution reads.
It argues that as the biggest lake in the park and a popular tourist destination, Stow Lake should be a landmark that represents city values.
The choice to change the lake’s name is up to park officials, and city supervisors must hold three public hearings before it can make a recommendation to the Recreation and Park Commission.
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