With the unfortunate demolition of the great Coronet Theatre, drivers along Geary Blvd. now have a view of the Odd Fellows (now Neptune Society) Columbarium for the first time since the 1940s. The view won't last long, as the new construction is progressing at a rapid clip. The Columbarium was built by British architect Bernard J. Cahill in 1897 as the centerpiece of the 167-acre Odd Fellows Cemetery. It's open to the public daily and no San Franciscan interested in history should hesitate to visit. Harvey Milk has a place here, look for him on the right just after you enter the building. Magnificently restored, it affords hours of fascinating exploring. It's also a poignant reminder of the toll of the AIDS epidemic; many niches are filled with the remains of men, young and old, tragically taken before their time. It's located at 1 Lorraine Court, off of Anza St. between Stanyan and Arguello.
