Stanford University history: How Leland Stanford Jr tragically inspired a renowned institution, plus over 40 old photos

Leland Stanford Jr University

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Leland Stanford Jr inspired a legacy that has endured for more than 100 years

Stanford University is considered one of the most prestigious and well-known universities in the world. With a reputation for academic excellence and cutting-edge research, it attracts students from all corners of the globe.

What many people don’t know is the fascinating story behind the university’s establishment and growth over the years. From its humble beginnings as a memorial to a tragic event, all the way through to its evolution into one of the most respected institutions of higher learning, Stanford University history is a saga worth exploring.

Leland Stanford Jr
The school’s namesake, Leland Stanford Jr.

Below, you can discover the tale of how Leland Stanford Jr inspired the founding of Stanford University, and learn about the vision that drove its founders.

We’ve also collected more than 50 old photos of the Stanford campus — offering a glimpse into what the school looked like in its earliest years.

Front entrance of Leland Stanford Junior University in 1900

Stanford University history: It started as a monument to the memory of a senator’s son (1888)

Wilkes Barre Times Leader, the Evening News (Pennsylvania) July 6, 1888

The Leland Stanford Jr University of California… had its origin indirectly in the death of the only son, indeed the only child, of Senator and Mrs. Stanford.

The boy died abroad [of typhoid fever], and his body was brought home and buried with great ceremony.

How Stanford University started out as a monument to a senator's son

Having no heir to inherit his wealth, Senator Stanford decided to erect a university as a memorial to his son. He set aside some $20,000,000 for this purpose.

A conveyance of these moneys has been made to a board of twenty-four trustees, but it is specified in the grant that Mr. and Mrs. Stanford are to retain absolute control of the property granted during their lifetime, and “to amend, alter or modify the conditions of the grant and the trusts therein created.” 

At the same time, “this reservation does not include the right or power to sell or encumber any of the real property granted.”

Leland Stanford Junior University - Mrs Jane L Stanford (Dec 1900)
Leland Stanford Junior University & benefactor Mrs Jane L Stanford (Dec 1900)
Leland Stanford Junior University

The institution is to be called the Leland Stanford Junior University. The buildings are to be like the old adobe houses of the early Spanish days; they will be one-storied; they will have deep window seats and open fireplaces, and the roofs will be covered with the familiar dark red tiles, which are shaped like long chimneys split in two. The material is to be a fine cream-colored sandstone.

There are to be fourteen of these buildings, all exactly alike, and built about a quadrangle 600 feet long by 250 feet wide. There will be a memorial church on one side and a handsome memorial arch on the other.

Within the quadrangle will be a splendid sweep of lawn, relieved here and there by large flower beds and a continuous arcade, covered and supported by pillars like a cloister. These buildings will be twenty feet high, with immense windows. There will be five of them on each long side of the quadrangle, and two on each of the shorter.

Leland Stanford 1890

In addition to the university proper, there are to be a large number of buildings erected at once for the benefit of the professors and parents of students, and these will be multiplied as the demand increases. The male and female colleges “are to be distinct institutions, yet with a mutual interdependence.

The higher course is to be free, and the collegiate may be enjoyed for a nominal sum. The professors will receive liberal salaries, so that the highest talent may be secured.

In addition to the ordinary collegiate course, there are to be buildings devoted to the instruction of the science of government, law, medicine, painting, mechanics, agriculture, and there will be art galleries, museums and a conservatory of music.

There will be free scholarships awarded to the children of men who have died in the service of the country, and of worthy mechanics who cannot afford even the modest prices of the university. There will be no discrimination in regard to sex, unless, indeed, it be in favor of women.

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Leland Stanford Jr University, Western entrance to inner quadrangle (c1895)

Western entrance to inner quadrangle Leland Stanford Junior University


Leland Stanford University (c1895)

Main entrance and driveway Leland Stanford Junior University

MORE: See old Lake Tahoe: How the Sierra vacation destination looked a long time ago


Old Stanford Mansion, Madrono Hall and frat houses

Fraternity houses for Phi Kappa Psi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi & Delta Tau Delta

Old Stanford Mansion, Madrono Hall and frat houses (1900)


Old Stanford fraternities in 1900

Kappa Kappa Gamma, Sigma Nu, Delta Upsilon, Zeta Psi, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi

Stanford Kappa Kappa Gamma, Sigma Nu, Delta Upsilon, Zeta Psi, Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi (1900)


Book cover: Stanford University California (1900)

Book cover - Stanford University history photo


View from Church tower in 1903

View from Church tower in 1903 - Stanford University history photo

ALSO SEE: The dazzling lobbies of these 22 historical hotels will take your breath away with their glamour


Panorama of north facade

Panorama of north facade - Stanford University history photo


Panorama of north facade – Left

Panorama of north facade - Left - Stanford University history photo


North facade – Stanford University
North facade - Stanford University history photo

Roble Hall

Roble Hall - Stanford University history photo


Side arch

Side arch - Stanford University history photo


Side Arch and Chemistry Building

Side Arch and Chemistry Building - Stanford University history photo


Encina Hall

Encina Hall - Stanford University history photo


Museum lobby

Museum lobby - Stanford University history photo


Birds-eye view of campus – Stanford University

Birds-eye view of campus - Stanford University history photo


Lake Lagunita

Lake Lagunita - Stanford University history photo

MORE: See amazing pictures of elegant old Pasadena, California, from the days before cars


Inner Quad

Inner Quad - Stanford University history photo


People reading – the Quad

People reading - the Quad - Stanford University history photo

People reading on the Quad - Stanford University history photo


Quadrangle loking north

Quadrangle loking north - Stanford University history photo


Rainy day on the Quad

Rainy day on the Quad - Stanford University history photo


Arcade arches

Arcade arches - Stanford University history photo


The old Arcade in 1903

The Arcade - Stanford University history photo


Stanford Arcade and Museum

Arcade and Museum - Stanford University history photo


Leland Stanford Memorial Statue

Memorial Statue - Stanford University history photo


Angel of Grief statue

Angel of Grief statue - Stanford University history photo


Mausoleum

Mausoleum - Stanford University history photo

ALSO SEE: Abraham Lincoln’s letter of condolence to Mrs Bixby, who lost sons in the Civil War (1864)


Memorial Arch

Memorial Arch - Stanford University history photo


Memorial Court view

Memorial Court view - Stanford University history photo


Memorial Court

Memorial Court - Stanford University history photo


The Palo Alto and Memorial Church

The Palo Alto and Memorial Church - Stanford University history photo


Memorial Church, rear view

Memorial Church, rear view - Stanford University history photo


Interior of Stanford church

Interior of Church - Stanford University history photo


Interior of Memorial Church

Interior of Memorial Church - Stanford University history photo


Memorial Church

Memorial Church - Stanford University history photo


Memorial Church and Memorial Arch

Memorial Church and Memorial Arch - Stanford University history photo


Campus street – Stanford University
Campus street - Stanford University history photo

Campus – Street and sidewalk with homes

Campus - Street and sidewalk with homes - Stanford University history photo


Mrs Stanford’s residence

Mrs Stanford's residence - Stanford University history photo


Class plates – starting with 1895

Class plates - starting with 1895 - Stanford University history photo


Stanford’s old smoke stack and boiler room

Smoke stack and boiler room - Stanford University history photo

ALSO SEE: Vintage card catalogs at the library – and how we used them

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