The Stanford Family: The Mysterious Death That Built California
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- Опубліковано 30 тра 2024
- In today’s episode, we tell the full saga of the Stanford Family of California (who founded Stanford University) -
From unfathomable wealth and political influence to an untimely demise that cast a shadow over the family’s legacy and the university that stands as a monument to their name.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
0:59 Chapter 1: The Sumptuous Stanfords
3:39 Chapter 2: Starting As A Stanford
6:25 Chapter 3: The Rise of Leland Stanford
11:02 Chapter 4: The Matriarch
14:55 Chapter 5: The Mysterious Death of Jane Stanford
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Stanford University, one of the United States' most hallowed institutions, boasts a magnificently verdant campus meticulously planned and funded by the legendary family that bears its name. It is home to some of America's brightest minds and holds one of California's most enduring mysteries: the mysterious death of Jane Stanford.
This illustrious academic haven was born from the vision of Leland and Jane Stanford, whose influence helped sculpt the history of the Golden State through their construction of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad. The Stanford dynasty, however, was marked by a chilling end-the mysterious death of Jane Stanford.
Leland Stanford, a nineteenth-century tycoon, amassed a fortune worth 50 million dollars (around 1.8 billion today).
His journey to the top began with the Central Pacific Railroad, where he served as president from 1861 until his death in 1893. Under his leadership, the First Transcontinental Railroad connected the East and West, transforming frontiers into economic hubs and enriching Stanford immensely.
His estates, including the Palo Alto farm and a mansion on San Francisco's Nob Hill, symbolized his status, although the latter was lost in the 1906 earthquake.
Leland and his wife Jane faced the unimaginable grief of losing their only child, Leland Junior, to typhoid fever at 15.
Out of their heartbreak, they forged a lasting monument: Stanford University. Jane ensured the university would memorialize their son and serve as a beacon of learning and innovation for generations.
Their names are forever cemented in the annals of American education through this prestigious institution.
The Stanford name, deeply rooted in Anglo-Saxon England, tells a story of ancient landscapes and the intrinsic link to "stan" (stone) and "ford" (river crossing).
Leland's lineage began with Thomas Stanford, who settled in New York in the seventeenth century. Born in 1824 in Watervliet, New York, Leland grew up in a farming family. He studied law and, after a devastating fire in 1852, moved to California, where he would make his fortune.
In 1856, Leland moved to Sacramento with his wife Jane, diving into large-scale mercantile ventures. He became one of the celebrated "Big Four" who backed the Central Pacific Railroad. As governor of California, he faced challenges like the Great Flood of 1862.
His leadership extended to the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, despite relying on Chinese immigrants who faced severe persecution.
Jane Stanford, born in 1828, married Leland in 1850. The death of their only child in 1884 led to the establishment of Stanford University in 1885.
Jane played a crucial role in its formative years, especially after Leland's death in 1893. She steered the university through financial crises and the 1906 earthquake, securing its future.
Jane Stanford's death in 1905 was shrouded in mystery. After consuming bicarbonate of soda, she exhibited symptoms of strychnine poisoning.
Despite initial claims of heart failure by the university president, an autopsy confirmed poisoning. The lack of a thorough investigation and conflicting reports fueled suspicions of a cover-up.
The true circumstances of Jane Stanford's death remain unresolved, highlighting the dark undercurrents beneath America's elite society and its institutions.
The legacy of Leland and Jane Stanford is rooted in the inception and evolution of Stanford University, which stands as a tribute to their vision for higher education and public welfare.
Today, Stanford University is celebrated globally for its contributions to research, particularly in technology and engineering, instrumental in the rise of Silicon Valley.
The campus's architectural essence, shaped by the Stanfords and Frederick Law Olmsted, creates an inspirational environment. The tragic loss of Leland Stanford Junior catalyzed the couple's philanthropic efforts, aiming to benefit "the children of California."
COMMENT: Are you or any loved ones graduates of Stanford University - or natives of Northern California? And what are your opinions on the Stanford Family legacy?
Today, if you are going to go straight across the country. I think it would take 3 days by car. From the Florida panhandle, not sure how long to Washington. I am limited in my travels. Up and down the East Coast. I have also been to Texas and Tennessee. I haven't driven to Tennessee
In times past, my family would have attended University in the New England, maybe New York area. The family has, since the 1960s, moved about to 15 different states. Before the 1600s, we were in France. We moved to Nouveau France (Canada 🍁). In the the 1700s, we moved to Massachusetts
I have heard a story many times about how the Stanfords intended to give money to build a building at Harvard University. When they got off the train at Boston, they were tired and dirty, but they went straight to the Harvard president's office. He refused to see them, or rather, he made them wait for hours. Finally, he impatiently agreed to meet with them. They said that they had had a son who died, and they wanted to give a memorial for him. The Harvard president laughed at them and asked them if they knew how much a new building cost. The Stanfords turned to one another and decided right then to build an entire university in their own state in honor of young Leland. ---- So, is that story true? I've heard it so often as a cautionary tale in "don't judge a book by its cover."
I found this presentation on the Stanford very interesting. I think you left out a significant comment about how the Stanford arrived at creating Stanford University. The legend has it that the Stanford‘s actually after their son’s death traveled back to Massachusetts to Harvard University and sought an opportunity to meet with the president of Harvard. They waited at his office and finally were granted an audience. They indicated their situation and wanted to do something in memory of their son arrogantly the president said well, not knowing what their true wealth was that they might be able to memorialize your son in someway on the campus then the Stanford asked, how much it cost a university gave them a sum they thank them for the information left and then went back and established Stanford University. You may want to verify that incident, but I think it’s absolutely true.
God bless the legacy of Stanford couples for ages in the history of the USA and the world. The founders wishes helped thousands of Stanford University students flourish in their life immensely in the recent past. Their spiritual presence helps the future generations achieve great heights in transforming the world for better tomorrow.
Great find regarding this story!
I really loved this episode. You always give a comprehensive history of the old money families but between the death of Leyland and the mysterious death of Jane Stanford, this one has movie potential.
Thank you so much for putting this out there!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! :) very kind words
I'm not a graduate of Stanford University. But thank you for this interesting video.
Incredible
As CA governor, leland declared the chinese "an inferior race". However, he turned to chinese labor in desperate when he was president of the central pacific rail road, he was hypocritical and prejudiced history figure.
California native never knew the specific reason we had the levees nice to know it was governor stanford that had to row to inauguration
are we going to ignore the genocide part?
Hi sorry but no, I wish I was but I am here on the east cost near MIT .
Iconic legends
Ahhh old money always always always getting their money in a unmoral and unethical way yet still benefit from it centuries later 😂 America!!! Lmao 😂😂
Stanford = Spook School
He was adisgusting coolizer.
You meant to write "a disgusting"
@@goldenvulture6818but you’re fine with “coolizer”?🤣 just say it to yourself as it’s written and it’s hilarious. Also not wrong. Great they established the university, sad about their son, and yes dude was racist and fine to exploit people for his needs.