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| Landmark #417 | Santa Clara County | Visited: August 28, 2016 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A plaque on the front of San Jose State University’s Tower Hall! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: Originally founded as a private institution, “Minns’ Evening Normal School,” in 1857, the school became a public institution by act of the State Legislature on May 2, 1862. In 1868 the board of trustees took up the matter of permanent location, and Washington Square in San Jose was chosen. Destroyed by fire February 11, 1880 and heavily damaged by the 1906 earthquake, the school was rebuilt after each disaster.
OTHER TIDBITS: What’s a normal school, you ask? It’s an institution specifically designed to train new teachers! This normal school was founded by George W. Minns in San Francisco before moving south to San Jose. It taught both academic and craftsmanship courses and even added athletics just to encourage more men to attend! In 1882, the school opened its Los Angeles branch, which would come to be known in 1927 as UCLA! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: San Jose State University Located on Tower Hall in Washington Square NE corner of San Carlos and 4th Sts San Jose, CA 95192 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~339mi (546km) — 5.7hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |
