1887 to 1921
1887
March 10—Legislative act to create the Northern Branch State Normal School of California for the purpose of training and education of teachers in the art of instructing and governing the public schools of the state.
April 8—Chico was selected as the site for the school. June 24, 1887, General John Bidwell donates eight acres of his cherry orchard and permanent water rights for the school. Town citizens raised $10,000 to secure the bid.
April 19—First Board of Trustees appointed: John Bidwell, F.C. Lusk, J.W.B Montgomery, L.H. McIntosh, A.H. Crew.
September—Construction began on a three-story brick building.
1888
July 4—Cornerstone laid.
1889
April 20—Normal Board of Trustees appointed the following as first faculty members: Edward T. Pierce, Principal (1889-1893); Carleton M. Ritter, instructor in mathematics; Mrs. Emma Straight, preceptress; Minor L. Seymour, instructor in science; A.E. Garlich, teacher of music.
September 3—Doors opened and 90 students were enrolled for the first term.
1890
January 11—Library officially opened with 350 volumes.
1891
First graduating class of 15 on June 20.
1893
Robert F. Pennell was elected as principal.
1896
First issue of The Normal Record was published in March.
1897
Carleton M. Ritter was elected as president.
1899
Charles C. Van Liew was elected as president.
1910
Annie E. K. Bidwell donated an additional two acres of land to be used for work with elementary agriculture.
Training School built adjacent to Normal Building.
1911
Annie E. K. Bidwell donated an orange orchard lot 55x440 feet as the children's playground, which is connected to the Training School.
Allison Ware was elected as president.
1912
Pleasant Valley Model Rural School of the State Normal School at Chico opened offering courses in manual training, domestic science and art, school agriculture, and physical education.
1913
Little Chico Model Rural School of the State Normal School at Chico opened.
1915
Construction of swimming pool.
1917
Dr. E. I. Miller was elected as acting president.
1918
C. M. Osenbaugh was elected as president.
1921
Legislative enactment to changed the name to Chico State Teacher's College.