San Diego

County History

An Illustrated History of Southern California - The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago - 1890

SAN DIEGO COLLEGE OF LETTERS.

ADDENDUM TO GENERAL HISTORY.

        San Diego College was founded in 1887, by a company of gentlemen who associated themselves together for the purpose of establishing an undenominational college in Southern California. The company was constituted as follows: C. S. Sprecher, pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles; F. P. Davidson, Professor of Natural Science in the High School of Springfield, Ohio; Harry Wagner, editor of the Golden Era. The plan and details of organization were so thoroughly marked out, and the purpose with which these gentlemen addressed themselves to the work was so strong, that they at once secured offers of large land grants in four eligible places. It was ultimately decided to locate the college at Pacific Beach, for several reasons: 1st. The climate of the south coast is unequaled for adaptedness to study, on account of its equability. 2d. Pacific Beach is near San Diego, the future metropolis of Southern California, and yet not in the city where the students would be exposed to many temptations. 3d. The view from Pacific Beach is unequaled. There is a broad south slope looking out over both bays, and toward the sun and the city at the same time, with the mountains on the left, and the ocean on the right.

        The Pacific Beach Company conveyed to the college, at a nominal price, a campus of sixteen acres and about 600 lots. The work of building began just at the departure of the boom, so that the college had no benefit of that phenomenal activity in real estate, but has had to push its way along through a depression in business circles such as the country has never known, during which property has come down in value to very near a nominal price.

        They have created a property which assets in the judgment of fair appraisers about $80,000. This has been realized by the liberal interest taken in the cause of education by the citizens of San Diego.

        The college was incorporated in 1887 with the following board of directors: C. S. Sprecher, President; F. P. Davidson, Vice President; Harr Wagner, Secretary; O. S. Hubble, F. S. Van Dyke. By this charter the college is authorized to confer all the collegiate degrees.

        On the 20th of June the corner-stone of the college was laid with imposing ceremonies in the presence of 2,500 people, the elite and literati of San Diego.

As the corner-stone was lowered the words expressive of the principles of the college were pronounced by the president of the company as follows: "In the name of God and humanity, as revealed in the Christ of history, we lay the corner-stone of San Diego College—undenominational but not unchristian. Our faith is the faith of christendom; our hope the hope of christian civilization." The college is altogether undenominational, but thoroughly christian; as all the control is in the hands of christian men.

        On the 20th of September, 1888, the college was formally opened with an attendance of thirty-seven. The faculty was organized with S. Sprecher, D. D., LL. D., President; C. S. Sprecher, A. M., Vice President; F. P. Davidson, A. M., Superintendent of Instruction, and a corps of eleven teachers. Over 100 students were enrolled the first year and the present year promises to surpass that number.

        The students are graded in the three years of preparatory and in the Freshman and Sophomore classes. The curriculum is high-grade in the regular course, comparing favorably with that of any college East or West. Music and drawing are taught with enthusiasm. The college has a first-class set of models from Paris, presented by R. A. Thomas of the First National Bank.

        In the fall of 1889 assistance was secured of O. J. Stough, of San Diego, for the erection of Stough Hall, a commodious building in which all recitations and chapel exercises are held. The building is part of the original plan of the main college building and will be enlarged as needed. There is now an elegant building for a ladies' dormitory, secluded and with appointments unsurpassed in the State; a boys' dormitory, and Stough Hall.      

        At several critical times in the financial history of the college Rev. L. Groh. A. M., of Pennsylvania, a man of large means and philanthropic spirit, extended important aid to the college, and at its last meeting was made a member of the directorate.

        The discipline of the school is thorough. The military department is efficient and imparts system and thorough physical training. The faculty is composed of:

Samuel Sprecher, D. D., LL. D.; Rev. L. Groh, A. M.; F. P. Davidson. A. M.; Harr Wagner, A. M.; C. S. Sprecher, A. M.; E. R. Wagner, Ph. D.; Lucie V. Woods, Laura G. Riddell, Rawlins Cadwallader, A. M., I. H. Hill, J. L. Mande.

        In the month of November, 1889, arrangements were made with Prof. C. R. Orcutt to place the zoological and botanical collections of the West Coast Museum in Stough Hall. Thus the students of natural history will have access to a collection of nearly 200,000 specimens.

        The first commencement of the college showed unusual scientific and literary training and popularized the college with the people. There is a juvenile department, under the efficient management of Mrs. Riddell. Students are received at all stages of advancement, and while the college encourages the regular college course of the high-grade curriculum, it receives those who wish to pursue a partial or select course of a few years. The boarding facilities are excellent.

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.