Lucky rides in a convertible in the 1962 Homecoming parade.
In this aerial view of Arcata, the Humboldt State campus is seen prior to several major changes that came in the years following 1957, when this photo was taken. Note the tennis courts occupying what is now the University Center Quad and Siemens Hall. In the upper portion of the photo, the Michael J. Burns Freeway portion of U.S. 101, which was finished in 1955, can be seen. Prior to the construction of the freeway, Arcata's G…
The marching band of the 1950s wore plaid backwoods machinaws and hard hats. The hard hats still remain today.
Members of HSU's Percussion Ensemble perform Brazilian samba music on the quad in this 2010 photo.
This photo, probably from the early 1960s, shows students engaged in the KHSC Television workshop. Broadcasting began on campus in partnership with KIEM radio, then located in the Vance Hotel in Eureka's Old Town.
3000 students and faculty voted for a one week "Strike for Peace" to protest the invasion of Cambodia in 1970.
Center Activities provides classes in outdoor, aquatic, and leisure activities for students.
KHSU was the first college state radio station in California. Created in 1960.
Today the Internet, cable television and video games compete for our attention. In the 1950s listeners to North Coast radio tuned into KHSC for much of their entertainment and the station was highly regarded from its outset. Creative original programming, both dramatic and musical, was a highlight of the student work. The station delivered news, had broadcasting duties at HSC football games and posted real-time scores during the…
Metro bus service started in Arcata in 1962.
Homecoming Queen Linda Arvola on a lumberjack float during the parade in 1962.
1911 Eureka's chamber of commerce begins an effort to win public support for a normal school. Eureka, Arcata and Fortuna offer proposals for the location of the school.
1913
A donation of 51 acres from William Preston and the Union Water Company ensures Arcata will be the home of Humboldt State Normal School.
California Gov.Hiram Johnson establishes Humboldt State Normal School.
April 6, 1914
Instruction begins at 11th and M streets in Arcata. Pictured above is one of the first applications to the normal school.
May 26, 1915
Commencement day for HSU's first graduating class of 15 women. Susie Baker Fountain is first to receive her degree.
1921
Humboldt State Normal School becomes Humboldt State Teachers College and Junior College.
1922
Construction of Founders Hall begins atop Preston Hill.
1924
Humboldt's first president, Nelson Van Matre, retires and is succeeded by Ralph Swetman who serves from 1924 to 1930. Arthur Gist takes over in 1930 and serves until 1949.
1927
Humboldt plays its first intercollegiate football game against Southern Oregon Normal School, losing 33-0.
1935
Another name change gives Humboldt the moniker Humboldt State College.
1937
Humboldt State College establishes bachelor's of science degree in education. Liberal arts degree programs in economics and business administration, speech and home economics are soon to follow.
1938 Forestry Club organizes
1942 President Arthur S. Gist begins writing "Humboldt News Letter" for men and women in the armed services
1944Founders Hall (known then as the Main Building) is camouflaged with paint and ivy to avoid detection by the Japanese
1946Students build bleachers for Redwood Bowl
1950Jenkins Hall, completed
1951Marching band forms
1958Registration and grade recording now involves IBM punch cards
1959Lucky Logger is adopted as mascot
Parking fees established—$13 per semester
1960 Football games are held in Eureka High School's Albee Stadium, as crowds are too big for Redwood Bowl
1962Forestry Building and Library are completed
Ronald Reagan visits campus during his campaign for governor.
Marine laboratory opens in Trinidad. Lab is renamed the Telonicher Marine Lab in 1979.
1967
Students protest U.S. incursion into Cambodia.
1968
Inaugural Humboldt Film Festival is held. Currently, it’s the longest running student-lead festival of its kind.
Marching Lumberjacks return as campus scatter band after a 10-year absence.
Humboldt State College renamed California State University, Humboldt. This doesn’t last long. By 1974 the school is known as Humboldt State University.
Arsonists set fire to Forestry Building, which reopens in 1980.
Aviary completed for Wildlife Department.
1987
Wells Fargo donates it’s former building, which then becomes home to HSU Natural History Museum.
May 20, 2013
Professor Brian Post strives to compose music that reaches people. That means it must be interesting and accessible, but no so soothing that it’s simply background noise.
“If someone says my music was ‘nice,’ that’s the kiss of death,” jokes Post, who specializes in composition, music theory and music technology at HSU. “You don’t want someone’s mind to wander…
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May 20, 2013
He traveled around the world and is considered the founder of modern geography. Charles Darwin once called him the “greatest scientific traveler who ever lived.”
Among his other claims to fame: being this university’s namesake. This fall, HSU students and faculty will pay homage to Prussian naturalist Alexander von Humboldt with a play commemorating his life and work.
The…
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Memories shared, from alumni and friends of Humboldt State. If you want to add your own photo memories to the collection, submit them here.
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Nearly all the historical facts and photos on this website are available due to the efforts of Joan Berman and others in HSU’s Humboldt Room; former HSU History Professor William Tanner who authored the comprehensive campus history View from the Hill (available in the University Library); and HSU alumna Katy Tahja who authored the recent photo history titled Humboldt State University (available from the Humboldt Alumni Office).
A slew of Centennial activities and events are in the works. Here are just a few:
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