Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Lady of the Night

Photographed By Dennis Gobets, circa October 11, 2011

1. Lady of the Night Marker

Inscription. Here lie the remains of Marie Holmes, a lady of the night, who on the evening of May 5, 1898, met a lonely and untimely end with the quaffing of carbolic acid. Born in England, she resided in San Francisco, Salinas and Watsonville before spending her last few months in Santa Cruz, where she died in the streets outside the Merrill Brothers Saloon.

Erected 1997 by The Museum of Art and History and El Viceroy Marques De Branciforte Chapter 1797 E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 5, 1819.

Location. 36° 58.892′ N, 122° 2.151′ W. Marker is in Santa Cruz, California, in Santa Cruz County. Marker can be reached from Evergreen Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker and gravesite are located at the Evergreen Pioneer Cemetery in Wagner Grove. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 261 Evergreen Street, Santa Cruz CA 95060, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Arthur A. Taylor (within shouting distance of this marker); California Pioneers (within shouting distance of this marker); Williams (within

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shouting distance of this marker); Isaac Graham: “Swashbuckling Soldier of Fortune (within shouting distance of this marker); Grave of Grove C. Cook (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Remembering Chinese Pioneers (about 400 feet away); Mary Amney Case (about 400 feet away); Louden (London) Nelson (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Cruz.

Additional commentary.
1. Marie Holmes headstone found
The headstone on the grave of Marie Holmes which has been missing for many years has been located near Bonny Doon Creek, by a gentleman known as River Wolf. The headstone has been rescued and will be re-installed at her grave in 2013 by E Clampus Vitus Chapter 1797.

See story here:
http://www.santacruzmah.org/2013/local-homeless-man-finds-missing-19th-century-headstone/

— Submitted January 7, 2013, by Dennis Gobets of Boulder Creek, California.

Additional keywords. prostitution,

January 3, 2013

2. Lady of the Night Marker

sex work

Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2012, by Dennis Gobets of Boulder Creek, California. This page has been viewed 1,443 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on February 8, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1. submitted on February 7, 2012, by Dennis Gobets of Boulder Creek, California. 2. submitted on January 6, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.