My first contact with Sacramento State College was before I had any idea that I would be employed there. It happened while I was a Budget Analyst with the State Department of Finance with responsibility for all State College and Department of Education budgets.

In about 1949, the then State Architect, Anson Boyd - a structural engineer from his staff, President Guy West, and I set about the task of selecting a site for the new college that was then operating in rented facilities on the Sacramento City College campus.

After some preliminary searching, the choice was narrowed to four basic alternatives; one was a site in south Sacramento in what is commonly referred to as the "pocket district" (at that date, I cannot describe it in any more detail). The State Fairgrounds at Fifth and Broadway was also considered as was an area at Fruitridge and Stockton Blvd, (this area now comprises the Fruitridge Shopping Center). The fourth site, and the one that was finally selected, was the "J" Street at the American River Site. The site selected by State officials was actually the fourth choice of the committee due to the fact that it was a long, narrow site hemmed in by the American River on the east, the Soutthern Pacific Railroad on the west, a main thoroughfare on the north (J Street) and a freeway (Folsom Blvd.) on the south. President West and I preferred the Fruitridge-Stockton Blvd. site; but our choice did not prevail.

The area, as considered, consisted of 281 acres. The State, however, originally purchased only 258 acres at a cost ranging between $1,650. and $1,800. an acre. A parcel comprising 23 acres bordering on Folsom Blvd. and the Southern Pacific Railroad on the west, was offered at $2,000 and acre, but was refused. It is interesting to note that after this area was developed, the State subsequently acquired the 23 acres in the early 1960's at a cost of approximately $461,000 as contrasted to the $46,000 original asking price ten years earlier.

The site had been utilized as a hop field, peach orchard and contained some undeveloped land as well. It contained only one structure - a rundown dilapidated barnlike edifice that was reported to house 3 dogs, 2 sheep, i goat, a cat and 3 humans. After the occupants moved, this structure was demolished by a heavy wind and rain storm.

The only tree of any consequence on the acreage was one Eucalyptus tree which also subsequently blew down in a wind storm. Hence, all of the landscaping that you now enjoy on the college site was planted subsequent to the acquisition of the site in 1951.

Construction of buildings and the original utility systems and landscaping commenced soon after site acquisition in January, 1953.

This "first phase" of construction was completed from an appropriation of $2,225,000. The State's investment in the land, buildings and equipment for the University today exceeds $50,000,000 and replacement costs closely approximate (estimated) $85,000,000.