University Archives Photograph Collection

Inscription on back: "Aerial view: Main Campus: General Views - looking northeast from Mustang Stadium to Thoroughbred Horse Unit (ca. 1950)"

Students dining at cafeteria in location in University Union plaza area. Mott Gym seen in center-left windows. Location has operated under the name "the Avenue" and others in more recent years.

Three students enjoying a coffee and cigarette break at one of Cal Poly's cafeterias.

Seating inside of the South Cafeteria.

In the 1950s, the campus bookstore sold these miniature photos of the San Luis Obispo and Pomona campuses, cleverly packaged to mail to family and friends.

Buildings at Ornamental Horticulture Unit, when it used to be located where Yosemite is currently located on Grand Ave.

Children playing in a sandbox in Vetville

Students appear to be present for registration. Ed Jorgensen, coach for Cal Poly Men's basketball, seen in bottom left, looking into the camera.

A photo by Gus Beck of the main campus buildings- Looking west from Agricultural Mechanics to Business. This includes an ariel of Dexter Lawn, the Administration Building (now the Cotchett Education Building, 02) (center-left), the Library (now the Walter F. Dexter Building, 34) (center-right), classrooms and cubicle buildings with a parking lot out front (far-left), with the Agriculture Education Building (also then known as the Household Arts Building) mostly obscured in the background (where the now Architecture and Environmental Design Building, 05, is located) (shown to the left behind the Library/Dexter).

Commencement ceremony held in the Mustang Stadium, circa the 1950s. The Men's Glee Club is pictured to the left of the image, next to the stage.

A Cal Poly graduation circa the late 1950s or early 1960s. Julian A. McPhee is pictured talking with a colleague. A man just to the right of McPhee wears a cap and gown.

A group photo of the Men's Glee Club in their uniform at Cal Poly. The group was led by Harold P. Davidson.

Students and faculty working inside one of the air conditioning laboratories on campus. This department was originally a part of the Engineering Division.

A large clamshell and fishes are used as decorations for the dance.

Two students lift a barrel of apples into a FitzMill machine. They are wearing hats have the words "Cal Poly Processing" printed on them. There is a man in the background taking a picture of them. Boxes of regular mason jars are stored behind them.

Two people scrape off honey into a metal bucket with hot knives. In the background, there is a parking lot of cars.

Three students work at the Cal Poly Creamery. One dispenses the ice cream into the tubs while the other two weigh and organize the items. Behind them is the machine that stores the ice cream.

The students are reaching down into a freezer machine (a Cherry-Burrell Nu-Vat) to handle frozen food. They all wear the same uniform, including a white hat.

Gus beck, the former Dean of the College of Agriculture, holds a metal bar to remove the ice cream while the other man holds a metal scooper. They are both dressed in white lab coats.

Two students stand as they fill tubs with ice cream. Both are wearing a standard white uniform of a white shirt and pants, as well as black boots.

The professor and student observe a sample. In front of them, a microscope and a bottle with the words 'Cal Poly Creamery' sit on the table.

Two customers add Cal Poly dairy and poultry products to their basket, in what appears to be a Cal Poly dairy and poultry store. On the shelves, there are Cal Poly eggs, milk, whipping cream, butter, apple sauce, and yogurt. There is one sign that says 'Fresh Poultry: buy six or more get 10% off', and another that reads 'CP applesauce- 20 cents'.

Road curving around Dexter Lawn

View of lawn outside of the Business Administration and Education building

Photo from Cal Poly News Bureau

Photo from Cal Poly News Bureau

Photo from Cal Poly News Bureau

Photo from Cal Poly News Bureau

Photo from Cal Poly News Bureau

Photo from Cal Poly News Bureau

Students dining at a self serve facility on campus.

Student handbooks published by the Associated Students welcomed new students to campus and provided essential tips on academic topics as well as on Poly clubs, student government, recreational opportunities, and school spirit.

On back: "1951-1952, Old Lab"