National Register of Historic Places

San Diego State College

San Diego, San Diego County, California
Listed
September 3, 1997
Type
District
Period
Listed
Ref No.
97000924

About this property

San Diego State University (SDSU) is a public research university in San Diego, California, United States. Founded in 1897, it is the third-oldest university and southernmost in the 23-member California State University (CSU) system. SDSU is the oldest higher education institution in San Diego; its academic roots were established as a normal school in University Heights, then known as the San Diego Normal School. In the fall of 2025, the university enrolled a record 41,184 students. SDSU comprises eight colleges and offers over 200 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. It is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The university is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". It is a federally-designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) as well as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SDSU's athletic teams compete as the San Diego State Aztecs; the Aztecs nickname was chosen by students in 1925. They compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I, primarily as a member of the Pac-12 Conference. SDSU currently fields varsity teams across 17 NCAA-sanctioned sports. As of 2021, athletes from the university had won 14 medals at the Olympic Games.

Location

5300 Campanile Dr.
San Diego, San Diego County, California
32.77682, -117.07176

Categories

ARCHITECTURESOCIAL HISTORYEDUCATION
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
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Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Spotlight
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Points of Interest
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Timeline
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Nearby Historic Sites

Lindstrom House
Industrial
1.8 mi
San Diego Mission Church
Colonial
2.1 mi
University Heights Water Storage and Pumping Station Historic District
Industrial
4 mi
Lafayette Hotel
Industrial
4.3 mi
Bancroft, Hubert H., Ranchhouse
Early Republic
4.6 mi

Questions about this property

When was San Diego State College listed on the National Register?

San Diego State College was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 3, 1997.

What type of historic resource is San Diego State College?

San Diego State College is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for San Diego State College?

The period of significance for San Diego State College is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near San Diego State College?

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