The first class matriculated October 1, 1903. It consisted of nineteen California youths and one from Colorado. Six were registered in mechanics, four in household arts and ten in agriculture. Herbert H. Cox from Morgan Hill, California, was a member of that first class, graduating in June, 1906, Mr. Cox joined the Los Angeles Bureau of Water and Power where he progressed up the promotional ranks to Chief Electrical Engineer and Chief Administrator for Electrical Power Generation and Distribution. In the early 1950's, he was a frequent visitor to the campus and the Department of Electrical Engineering.
The California Polytechnic School circular published in 1905 stated it was a secondary school of agriculture, mechanics, and domestic science. Under mechanics:
Power-House
The equipment consisted of a 50 hp return tubular boiler oilburner, an 18 indicated hp Bailey upright engine, and a 6-1/2 kW generator. Heat and light to the campus buildings were furnished from the power house.
Electricitcation
The 1904 legislature appropriated $2,000 for equipment in "electrical working." This was installed in the recitation building in conjunction with the equipment for physics. It stated that a competent and experienced instructor would be in charge and that it was hoped and expected that this department would grow rapidly. The equipment for this work was installed in a large, well-lighted room in connection with the Power House (Bldg. 76). The equipment consisted of 1.1KW Fort Wayne AC generator, 1 8 hp Western Electric DC motor, 3 small alternating and direct current motors for testing purposes as well as AC and DC lamps, voltmeters, ammeters, wattmeters, testing instruments, and a storage battery of 112 cells.
Curriculum Mechanics
| First Year | Arithmetic and Algebra Physical Science Carpentry English Drawing Bookkeeping |
|---|---|
| Second Year | Geometry and Trigonometry Science, Electricity Forging Carpentry and Electrical Working English Drawing Chemistry |
| Third Year | Higher Mathematics Electrical Working Engines and Boilers Architectural Drawing and Designing History Physics Surveying |
In 1906, the school admitted pupils ages 15 from grammar schools. The first catalog was published for 1906-07. The only person named on the cover was W. W. Shannon, Superintendent of State Printing. The acreage was given as 280. In 1907 the legislature appropriated $15,000 to purchase 30 acres of adjacent rich level land and $25,000 for the construction and equipping of a 50-person, single room, student dormitory.