University of California Berkeley - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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The College of California There were some young men who came to California in the early years as explorers to report conditions as they might find them. In fulfilling their duty a few of them became so interested in the opening country that they remained, and devoted their lives to the beginning of institutions most needed in every new country. A college, or University, was the thing in view in the educational field. But first a preparatory school was necessary before the former could be attempted. Early in 1853 Dr. Henry Durant arrived in California, anxious to take part in the work of establishing a school for young men who, in a few years, would be seeking a liberal education. Oakland was then what its name calls for, a land of oaks, but with very few inhabitants. Land titles were uncertain. Possession was regarded as the main thing. The men in possession sometimes met together in those days, to gain acquaint- ance as a measure of self defense. To such a visiting as this Dr. Durant came one day. Taking off his hat, he explained to the company that we wanted ground on which to build a school, a school which might develop into a University in time. To this they all gave their hearty consent and told him to make his selection of a site, and none of them would lay claim to it. That was a great point gained. With the advice of friends the four blocks and the included streets lying- between Twelfth and Fourteenth Streets and between Franklin and Harrison Streets was the area set apart for pur- poses of education. A good fence was put up around it, and I do not remember that the title was ever disputed. A building in which to open the boys ' school was first commenced by Dr. Durant, but the construction being delayed on account of lack of funds, jumpers planned to go into the unfinished building and get first possession. Dr. Durant, learning their intention, immediately took possession of an enclosed room and slept there. Next day the jumper came and made a show of force in order to get possession of the property. 12

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DEDICATORY EXERCISES. STAUI LP.M I ' .KNOHl ' M. Junia 7th, A. D. 1885. College Cycle, 5 times. ! iiTI ' KK. (IT Ur.-li. tra Waiiu, we li.. -ith vari- SALtTDITOBY. }] ' - ' iiplnmaruui Mill influi-ii ii ( iff ! Hit 1 Imrnurn mm honum . t. ijimd r |i:iin!ni-uiii mri u no inli citorum tl riln : I i hithi i-t j.l.-.- ' tmniin y- Minr (tlnt bo mm, au rvfolr. KI.UAH JANKS. ORATION. I-i ' x i.rMu (ii?i i- ptMiiurtivi- ctf a luperior qatlitj of bortc : in nil t.t i, ic five trannUtion of JCochylun unl TfteUon Ivanml hy t diet uid ftvqncnt dwnge of botrjlni .IIM K H1IKUMAN. o.i.v riox. NIIII ;n nili ' ti ' in i ln 1r, ' iii!t -it!ly roimiilnvil. Tin- ii|MTiorilv of tlic Y ul tli Oinniy F!iiiii tm-i , - m tni ' il1ll t t- |)titnitici|. Thi 1 W;if ( -r Ilt ' of Uomo iiinl Snmrfcmllr tiinpiirt ' i|. Th ' - nf.tfiif iu ut-r, n, mi arcotmt of iij. .t i ' ;cn. . ' I will crhihit n lump of mud fnnn Jrf) ' I):i i- ' )ut -lUrli. (iAKDNKK K. WIM.IAMS. MI ' SK - I!..:,,, -r,-H, Ilume-ttad Swfwt ( ' n-ad. OrcMfttra. oHATION. ' I ' rln- V. . r llald lli ' ioli-. ' I ' lir %irtui- nf Juviii ' llnir 1 Ktratnl nml iin power fxrinpliti.il in ili - IlinoW rhanrtarof T iior. , KI.UAH JANKS H ' NKK.U. (II i:i: l. Six ] ----- Thr ljil.v.1 Xi- from Crlty,- lniiV- A OHATJOX. Hcflcx Power of Wonl.-. Suit Righu Kebel Fritthu ; Nulliltration Damnation; Scccwlon Concewion; IMH Diuh llini ninti ' lliti-h ; Corfxhnite Cun-tliief rle. .IOHN R. (il.ASCiK K VALE3DICTORY. tribnte to A farcunll to the Southern Confedcmi v, with a gl heroic Amaion of the prosont century, Ji ' tf l):ivi. .M)!! U. GLA8COCK. By the P(une . P. 8. Nary exit ad hn--lium, Scd omncs, gruhstrarkam, Skedaddle ad ddinum. 14