Campus History - The First Years

   It may safely be assumed that Long Beach State College is one of the most rapidly growing institutions of its type in the nation. The original idea for the school was conceived as a result of a survey made by the State Department of Education and the Regents of the University of California in 1947-48, which recommended that a State college established to serve the needs of Orange county and the southeast portion of Los Angeles county. Approval by the governor was given on January 27, 1949, to an assembly bill providing for the creation of the college. This gave the green light to the adaptation of the temporary quarters at 5301 East Anaheim St. for occupation in the fall semester of 1949.
    On September 28, 1949, the first 49ers fumbled their way to the classrooms through the maze of busy workmen and our faculty competed valiantly with noises of the trip hammers and buzz saws. The campus was a converted apartment building of about 13 classrooms and the first student services consisted of a diminutive bookstore and the promise of a library and canteen soon to be erected. The name of the institution at that time was Los Angeles-Orange County State College. In June of 1950, this was changed to Long Beach State College, upon donation of the site by people of Long Beach.
   During the first semester, there were 160 students attending classes. In the spring of 1950 this number jumped to over 600 students, and an extended day program was inaugurated to provide for classes after 4:30, accommodating many working people who could not attend day classes.
   Student organizations got under way the first semester with the creation of the Associated Student Body and Women Students Organized for Service. Smaller clubs were organized then , but were not given recognition under the ASB constitution until the spring of '50. The first "49er Day" was sponsored by WSOS and began a tradition. It was held on campus in the spring of '50 and was an immediate success.
   On March 10, 1950, the first printed newspaper was issued, replacing the mimeographed editions of the fall semester; and the student council considered the possibility of a yearbook, which was published before the end of the semester. The ASB also passed a resolution permitting the organization of fraternities and sororities on campus. The first graduation exercises were held on June 16, 1950, at which time 30 students received their Bachelor of Arts degrees.
   The fall of 1950 saw an increase to 1100 students and 40 faculty members. The range of instruction was widened to include a variety of subjects not previously in the curriculum. Student organizations were developed during this year, such as the Music club; Beta Sigma, Science club ; Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship; and Psychology Colloquium.
   Many organized student activities were presented this year for the enjoyment of the 49ers. Intercollegiate athletics made their appearance with the basketball, track, golf and swimming teams performing creditably. Community cooperation and support to the school was outstanding during this year ; many individuals and civic organizations devoted time and resources to our benefit.
   The college was authorized to grant the degree of Master of Arts, and in June, 1951, 11 students received that degree, while 218 received the Bachelor of Arts degree.
   In the summer of 1951, construction began on the permanent campus with the rearing of temporary structures on our present location, 6201 East Anaheim. In the fall of 1951 the first classes convened on the new campus. The 49ers were again confronted with the problem of construction in progress while classes were meeting. Carpenters, painters, and electricians were frequently encountered crawling in and out of doors and windows in the ambitious pursuit of their trade; and more often than not we had no idea where our next classes would meet. The parking lot was situated on the side of a hill, and every time it rained, there was a mass migration of automobiles sliding into each other in the mud. But we took it all in the spirit of true pioneering, and the thirst for knowledge led us past these material obstacles.
   Student activities got off to a slow start the first semester on the new campus, but finally swung into stride with the "Sorority Presents" dance at the Recreation Park club house and the 19th Hole. This was followed by the Christmas formal at the Pacific Coast club and the campus-warming "Hello Day" dance. In the spring semester, "49er Day" again highlighted the events of the season.
   Student dramatics got under way during the first semester, and the amateur theatrical entertainers presented several good productions during the year. The "Graduate Lecture Series," which began in '50, became the current popular "Evenings on Campus". Still sponsored by the graduate class, this interesting and informative series provided a variety of programs ranging from teachers' lectures in their fields of specialization to concerts and film presentations. Completing the year's social activities was the Spring Formal held at Lakewood Country club.
   The spring of '52 saw an enrollment of over 2000 students with an instructional staff of more than 80.
   We of the student body may well be proud of the excellent job which our administrative officers, faculty, student officers, public-spirited citizens, and friends have done in making our school the efficiently functioning organization which it is today. Looking back over the three short years of the existence of our institution we can appreciate the tremendous strides which have been taken toward the fulfillment of our ultimate ambitions; and we can look forward with confidence to the time when our school will take its place among the finest colleges of its the in the nation.

- From The Prospector, 1952