Humboldt State Normal School was established as a teacher's college on June 16, 1913, by then-California Governor, Hiram Johnson. It was named after the famous German scientist Alexander von Humboldt. The cities of Arcata and Eureka (and to a lesser extent Fortuna) competed with one another to host the new campus. Arcata eventually won the university when William Preston, and the Union Water company, donated 55-acres. It opened on April 6, 1914 in the former Arcata Grammar School building with 78 students and 5 faculty. On May 26, 1915 the first commencement of the first graduating class occurred, a class of 15 women. The first graduate awarded their degree in 1915 was local historian Susie Baker Fountain, who went on to catalog much of Humboldt County history from 1850-1966. Baker was a columnist for the Blue Lake Advocate and her extraordinary, lifelong collection of newspaper clippings and images are available for viewing in HSU Special Collections.