{"url": "https://zh.localwiki.org/api/v4/pages_history/1461268/", "name": "Polytechnic College of Engineering", "slug": "polytechnic college of engineering", "content": "
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\n\n\tThe Polytechnic College was founded in 1898 as the Polytechnic Business College, and chartered in 1911. It was also sometimes called the Polytechnic Business College of Engineering, or the Polytechnic Business College and School of Engineering. It was in various locations, most notably on the northeast corner of 13th and Madison Streets.
\n\n\tJune 25, 1898, Professor A.V. Feight, formerly of Shenandoah, Iowa, announced the school was to open soon. 3 Initially no location was specified, but by July it was announced that it would be at 12th and Clay in the YMCA building. That had previously been the home of Aydelotte's Business College. The 1904 directory lists the Polytechnic Business School at 12th and Clay, with W.E. Gibson, president, A.V. Feight, superintendent, and H.C. Ingram, secretary. Although most of the classes at that point were focused on business, a 1903 ad also mentions civil engineering, electrical engineering, mining engineering, and drafting. 4
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\n\n\tBy 1905, they had moved into a new building at 306 - 12th St. at Harrison. 5 It's unknown when Feight left the school. but a 1905 article only mentions Gibson and Ingram. 6
\n\n\tThe 1906 earthquake damaged the building. In 1911, a fire badly damaged it, along with destroying other buildings on the block. 1
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\n\n\tIn 1908, Joseph R. Knowland and Frank K. Mott spoke at the graduation. 7 A 1909 article says they had 175 graduates in the recent glass, the largest in the school's history. The majority were business graduates; only 6 of the 175 were in the college of engineering.\u00a08
\n\n\tThe following is from a 1920 advertisement for the college:
\nA University of Practical Education - Embracing Engineering - Vocational - Commercial\n\nOne of the best equipped Technical Colleges in the United States Grants degrees to those completing Engineering Courses. Owns and occupies its own buildings and grounds, machine shops, laboratories, field instruments. Intensified, thorough and practical courses. Students do practical work while pursuing their courses.\n\nEngineering College: Includes Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Mining and Architectural Engineering.\n\nVocational: Includes Automobile Engineering, Machine Shop and Practical Work in electricity.\"\n\nCommercial: Includes Business Training, Private Secretarial Stenography, Banking and Office Practice.\n\nFaculty - Composed of Specialists - those who have qualified especially for the work they are doing. They have been chosen by reason of ability and experience, and are experts in their special subjects.\n
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\n\n\tThe Merritt Book (Merritt, Frank Clinton. History of Alameda County. Chicago: SJ Clarke Publishing Company, 1928.) has a biography of Professor Willis Ervin Gibson that might be helpful in this entry.
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