The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-11-19
IN MEMORY OF HIS SON.
How Magnificent University Came
to be Erected with Endowment Of
S2O. 900 600

How Magnificent University Gam
to be Erected with Endowment q
| S2o,ooO,OOo.
Special Correspondence OF the Inquirer
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 26.-Seven year
ago Senator. Stanford announced his in
tention of building great university il
memory of his son. 1t was opened
few weeks ago, and it is not too much tt
say that the Leland Stanford, Jr., Uni
versity is one of the most remarkable il
the world.
| 10 enable the Senator to carry out hi
desires a special act of the Legisla
turehad to be passed, which was
approved March 9th, 1885, The act le
Called the conveyance to a trustee, OF
number of trustees, of property for the
endowment of educational institutions
together with the establishment of nee
essary rules for the government and
trustees Senator Stanford and his wife
conveyed by deed tbs fine estate of Palo
Alto, comprising 1890 acres, the Vina
ranch in Tehuma county of $4,000 acres,
which includes the largest vineyard in
the world; the Gridley ranch in Butte
county of 81, 900 acres, and other valua-
BILE property. The total endowment is
+ $40, 000,0 900, and the revenue from the
various properties is large. 1t was de-
cided to erect the University buildings
not far from the Senator's residence on
the Palo Alto ranch. The site selected
is about three miles from Menlo Park,
suburban homes of San Francisco mills
lionaires. The site is an almost level bit
of land just at the edge of the foothills
on the east side of the rich Santa Clara
valley. It is the ideal place for seat of
learning, as it is removed about three
miles from the railroad and is in a dis
trict that is sheltered from winds and is
especially suited to the growth of all
trees and shrubs. One hundred acres
were set apart for the University
grounds.
The architecture of the buildings is as
unique as the plan of the university
The buildings, with the exceptions that
will be noted, are all one>story, and are
built of cream-colored sandstone, with
broad low curved tiles. It was Senator
Stanford's desire to perpetuate the old
mission architecture, and also, so far as
possible, use only California products in
the construction Of the buildings With
the exception of the tiles, which it was
found could not be made on this coast,
all the material in the buildings rs from
this State
There are three separate sets or groups
of buildings, each inclosing a large quad
rangle. 1t is the group around the cen
tire and largest quadrangle which is now
approaching completion. This group
will in turn be surrounded by still other
rows of buildings, all connected by Gov
cred corridors or arcades. The quad
rangle, which is now inclosed, is 600 feet
long and $50 feet wide, and about it are
grouped fourteen buildings which are
really separate structures, but are so ar
ranged as to be parts of one harmonious
whole. In the center at either end is
massive tower, and a driveway passes
directly across the quadrangle and
through the gateway thus formed. The
inclosed space, some three and one. half
acres in extent, is laid out with flowers
and ornamental shrubbery.
The boys dormitory is built of sand
stone, but the building for the girls is
made of concrete. The boys building
is probably the finest structure of the
kind on this coast. No expense was
spared on it; everything is genuine, even
to the brass in the cutters that carry
was spent on it, and it is a thing of
beauty in its finish. The main dining
hall is the handsomest room in the
building, and no hotel in New York has
finer apartment, so far as harmony of
tones, light, and outlook are concerned.
The building is finished throughout in
hard woods, and though the furniture is
plain it is very handsome. Senator
Stanford's idea is to have nothing that
sayors of luxury. On the same principle
the board furnished will be good but
simple. Those who may come to the
university under the idea that every
modern luxury will be furnished because
the institution has a great endowment
will be disappointed, as will those who
fancy they can get along without solid
work. Mrs. Stanford has provided each
room in the dormitory building with q
handsomely bound Bible-a reminder
that though the university is not bound
to any creed, it is to be Christian in spir-
it, and religion will form vital part Of
all instruction.
In founding the university and endow-
ing it as few institutions in this country
are endowed, Senator Stanford has had
in view mainly the large class OF boys
and girls who desire to make their own
way in life the moment they come out
of school. While the higher education
will not be neglected, the greatest at
tention will be given to those special
studies that will enable pupils to do
something for their own support as soon
as they are graduated For this pur-
pose the schools in mechanic arts, in
manual trainings, and in all the sciences
will be made the most perfect in the
country The collections already Sc
cured in botany, mineralogy, and geol~
ogy, are among the most valuable inthe
world, and in other sciences collections
and apparatus will be equally perfect in
time. With a faculty thoroughly il
earnest great results ought to be accom-
plished in original work.
| A short distance from the university
building, but entirely hidden from view
by dense masses of shrubbery, is the Sc
verely simple but massive tomb in which
repose the remains of the youth whose
memory this great institution of learn
ing is designed to perpetuate.
The project of university at Palt
/ Alto, in the very heart of the rich Sants
Clara valley, was taken up by Senate
Stanford as distraction in the grea
grief of his life He had made an impe
rial fortune by building the overland
.:Inoo1 IN tho faoa of mn l,lio doI1ht q mr.