ABOVE: Students pose for a photo by the old Humboldt State College sign. The sign, made from a single redwood round, was likely donated by a local timber company. The students were participating in a campus Work Day, which included students and faculty cleaning windows, removing clutter, weeding, repairing roads, cleaning classrooms and more. At the end of the day, students enjoyed a free bean feed and a faculty show of spoofs and skits.
ABOVE: During World War II, travel was restricted and gasoline was rationed, putting a serious damper on intercollegiate competition. In a 1944 women’s archery tournament, the results were tallied and mailed to officials. Humboldt placed fourth in a field of 24 colleges, all competing by mail. The Archery club is still active, holding twice-weekly practices in the Field House.
TOP: Students hit the books in a simple, yet functional, residence hall room. To the right, a student uses a slide rule on his coursework. Slide rules remained popular on campus through the 1970s, when the introduction of the pocket calculator spelled the demise of the nearly 400-year-old calculation tool. MIDDLE: Students relax during a summer picnic in 1955. BOTTOM: In spring 1959, the graduating class could still fit in the Main Hall’s courtyard. In November that year, the building was dedicated as “Founders Hall.”