Lake Merced

On September 13, 1859, this quiet shoreline became the site of the most notorious duel in California history. David S. Terry, the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, faced off against United States Senator David C. Broderick in a violent political disagreement that ended in tragedy when Terry shot and killed the senator. The event shocked the nation and effectively ended the era of high-stakes, public dueling in the state. Today, the lake remains a peaceful recreational spot, but its secluded history as a place for settling private grievances remains a foundational part of its lore.