On March 10, 1887, a legislative act is
enacted to create the Northern Branch State Normal School of California. Less than a month later, Chico is chosen as the
location. On June 24, 1887, general John Bidwell donates 8 acres (32,000 m²) of land from his cherry orchard.On July 4, 1888, the first corner stone is
laid. On September 3, 1889, doors open
from the 90 enrolled students.The library open on January 11, 1890
with 350 books. On June 20, 1891 the first
graduation takes place, a class of 15.In 1910, Annie Bidwell donates an additional two acres (8,000 m²) of land to be used for
work with elementary agriculture. The next year Mrs. Bidwell donates an orange orchard lot 55 x 440 feet as the children's
playground, which is connected to the Training School. Twenty years later in 1921,
legislation in enacted to change the school's name to Chico State Teacher's College. In 1922, Chico State Teacher's College added a junior college curriculum and awarded a certificate after two years. Also
in 1922 Bidwell Mansion was
turned into a female dormitory, Bidwell Hall. In 1923 the first college paper,
The
Collegian was published. In 1924, the state board of education allowed the school to
grant baccalaureate degrees. Also in 1924, the wildcat was chosen as the mascot. In 1925 the alumni
organization was founded. In 1927 a fire destroyed the Normal Building. That same year a
gym was built on the grounds of Bidwell Mansion. In 1929, the corner stone for the new
administration building was laid on top of Normal Building's original corner stone. In 1929 the student bookstore was
established.In 1935, Bidwell Hall was turned into a recreation and student center - the first
student union. Also in 1935 a legislative act changed the college name from Chico State Teachers College to Chico State College.
In 1937 evening classes started on campus and athletic fields were purchased from the Chico
Board of Education. In 1939, chimes were installed in library tower. Sororities held fund
drive to raise $600 for them. In 1940 the college offened civilian pilot classes. In
1948, dorms for 200 male students were set up on west side of Warner Street. The buildings
were built during World War II and were used as batchelor quarters for a
Marine Hospital in Klamath Falls, Oregon. They were
brought to Chico State in sections and reconstructed in the spring of 1948. The two story barracks-like structures had 36 rooms,
each occupied by 4 students. North Hall later became a girls dormitory.In 1950, California's governor, allowed state colleges to grant MAs. In 1951 the college reorganized from 18 departments into seven divisions with chairmen. In 1956 a new flagpost and sign for infront of Kendall Hall was donated by the class of 1956. In
1957 a new cafeteria was built the rose
gardens were planeted. In 1958 the first "telecourse" taught, Psychology 51.In 1963, the university farm was dedicated. In 1964 KCSC, a student run radio station
launched and could be heard in Lassen and Shasta halls. In 1966 new chimes were
installed.In 1972, Chico State College became California State University, Chico as a result of
legislation passed in 1971.In 1975, broadcasts of classes through closed circuit TV was used for the first time by
residents in Oroville, Marysville and Colusa. Also in 1975,The Orion, the campus student newspaper published its first issue. In 1977,
the other campus paper,
The Wildcat, changed its name to
Chico News and
Review and moved off campus to become an independent publication. In 1978 bike
riding is restricted from campus.In 1981, the library is renamed for Ted Meriam. In 1985 the 75th Pioneer Days is held, only to be cancelled in 1988 because of
riots. In 1989
The Orion wins the National Pacemaker
Award.