In 1857 the San Francisco Board of Education established an evening school for current and prospective teachers in the city. The school became know as the Minns' Evening Normal School, named after the principal, Washington Minns. In 1862, the California State Legislature formally established Minns' school as the first California State Normal School. The school remained in San Francisco until the California State Legislature voted to move the Normal School to San Jose and provided the funds to construct a new building on Washington Square in San Jose. The State Normal School moved into temporary quarters in San Jose in 1871, and moved into the new building prior to the fall term in 1872. In 1887 the California State Normal School was renamed the San Jose State Normal School. In 1921 the various State Normal Schools were renamed State Teachers Colleges, reflecting the increased needs and curriculum requirements for the education of teachers. The college began offering education-related bachelor's degrees at this time and the first degrees were conferred in 1923. In 1928 the college offered general academic bachelor's degrees, and formalized the merger of the junior college with the teachers college. The institution transformed from a vocational school to that of a full-fledged academic institution offering four year degrees. In 1935 the California State Legislature renamed the San Jose State Teachers College to the San Jose State College.
In 1972 the school was renamed California State University, San Jose, a change long overdue since the institution had been providing university-level curriculum and degree programs for several decades. This change met fairly broad opposition from students, alumni, and faculty, since the institution had long been known as San Jose State. Their persistence paid off, and in 1974, the school was renamed San Jose State University.
From the description of San Jose State University Archives photograph collection, 1860-1986, (bulk 1890-1960). (San Jose Public Library). WorldCat record id: 70835451
