The University Archives contains papers and publications, together with histories, photographs, and ephemera, generated by the various administrative, faculty, and student branches of the University from its inception in 1851 to the present.

Founded on July 10, 1851, the University of the Pacific is California's oldest university. It was founded in Santa Clara as the California Wesleyan University but changed to University of the Pacific the following year. A privately endowed college, founded by leaders of the Methodist church, Isaac Owen, Edward Bannister, and William Taylor, the school provided both preparatory and college instruction. In 1871 the University began moving to its new College Park campus in San Jose and became the first coeducational campus in California. Napa College was consolidated in 1896 with the University of the Pacific and discontinued as a separate organization. In 1911 the name was changed to College of the Pacific – a name more appropriate to the size and limited liberal arts curriculum at the time. Due to intense competition for students in the Bay Area and the need for more land, the leadership under President Tully C. Knoles relocated the College to Stockton, California in 1924. A number of professional schools and programs were added over the years and in 1960 the College of the Pacific was renamed University of the Pacific.

~1000 linear feet

Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Collection open for research.