In Search of Emperor Norton’s Grave
So this weekend Jen and I went in Search of the Emperor Norton’s Grave
Who was this crazy looking man? Joshua Abraham Norton, was a San Francisco businessman who not only lost his fortune to bad investments but also his mind. Deciding that the corruptness of government was as much to blame for his troubles as anything else, Norton declared himself “Emperor of these United States and Protector of Mexico.”
He used his new title to dissolve Congress and issue several new laws which….no more in power took seriously. But he became immensely popular amongst the people of city. Local printers issued money with his portrait which was considered legal tender in the city of San Francisco, policemen saluted him as he passed by, he ate free of charge at the city’s finest restaurants and no play ever took place in city limits without a reserved box seat for the Emperor. Exploits of the Emperor frequently found themselves in the paper (San Francisco reporter, Mark Twain used him later as a character in the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn) and he was so beloved that when he eventually died, 10,000 people attended his funeral.
A particularly grizzled photo of the Emperor.
Originally buried in San Francisco, his body was moved to Colma in 1930.
Colma’s claim to fame is that more people are below ground than above. Land became too valuable in San Francisco so all cemeteries (with the exception of two) were moved to Colma.
The Emperor’s Grave.
Okay, now here’s the weird part of Norton’s grave. Next to him is an identical grave to “Empress Norton” who 1. Is still alive, and 2. was born 42 years after Norton died. So he’s got some strange following, even in the cemetery.
In addition, there are smaller graves to other Emperors that ruled after Norton. I guess if a man can make up he’s the Emperor of America others can rule after him.
Keep on Riding Emperor!