On the evening of January 8, 1880, Norton collapsed on the corner of California Street and Dupont Street (now Grant Avenue) in front of Old Saint Mary's Cathedral while on his way to a lecture at the California Academy of Sciences.
Om aftenen den 8. januar 1880 faldt Norton om på hjørnet mellem California Street og Dupont Street (nu Grant Avenue) foran Old St. Mary's Church på vej til en forelæsning ved California Academy of Sciences.