Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Former Stanford President Is Quoted.

“I found 1891: A Novel about Stanford University to be both amusing and bemusing.” Gerhard Casper, president of Stanford University, (1992-2000).
 

1891 may be purchased at Kepler’s, Stanford Bookstore, B&N, Amazon.com or your local bookstore.

Posted by Jerry at 15:42:37 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Monday, October 22, 2007

The Relevance of Historical Stanford


 

Anyone reading this blog knows that I am not satisfied with the way historical Stanford is being commemorated.

 
Why is this commemoration so important? James Baldwin wrote, “History does not refer merely, or even principally, to the past. On the contrary, the great force of history comes from the fact that we carry it with us, are unconsciously controlled by it in many ways, and history is literally present in all that we do.”
 
During a Stanford student’s busy life, I doubt, with all the weight of study, social obligations, the future, that much time is spent contemplating what might have happened during Stanford’s early days. For returning alumni, visitors, prospective students, it would be a different matter. Seeing sites, statues, reading plagues, being told about the early difficulties, and honoring the people who overcame them, would give insight into why Stanford University is such a great institution, to enter, to support.
  
If this is the case, why is it that: the statue of the Stanford family is relegated to an isolated site; the Chemistry building stands deserted; the Stanford Museum is devoted to art objects; unrelated statuary dominates Memorial Court; the first administrative area is unmarked; the first temporary chapel is unmarked; the first library is unmarked; Encina Hall is an office building with no visitors; Escontite Cottage, the first domicile in the area is unmarked, no visitors, and probably up for demolition when a new housing complex is built; and Ernest Johnson, Stanford’s only African American graduate for five decades is not honored. (Imagine the  impact a statue of Ernest Johnson in Memorial Court would have on visiting tourists and prospective students.)
  
I am sure there are other sites and people that are being forgotten or neglected that deserve mention.
  
There is a Historical Society and there is an Archivist and I am sure they are doing the best job they can under prevailing circumstances. My head is not in the sand and I understand those circumstances involve considerations of donor dollars, growth, and space. If these considerations meet historical significance head-on, there is no question that they will prevail.
 
If you agree with me, please bother the Stanford hierarchy: president, archivist, historical society, trustees, or anyone else who has clout. A single voice will not be heard.
 
One day, twenty-five, fifty years from now, the Stanford Community may ask our grandchildren, “How could they have done this? What were they thinking when they destroyed our Stanford heritage?”
 
Will our grandchildren answer, “We think they thought there were other considerations that were more important. Yes, they were wrong, but, now, that it is destroyed, what can be done?”
Posted by Jerry at 16:00:00 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Friday, October 12, 2007

Forgotten and Unheralded: Escontite Cottage


 

It was the first domicile on what we now call Stanford University. It was built by Peter Coutts in 1873, and was his home until he returned to France in 1882. Bought by Leland Stanford, it was furnished with expensive, museum-like furnishings, some dating back to Marie Antoinette. In 1891, it was the destination of the group who would administer the new university: David Starr Jordan and his family, Orrin Leslie Elliott and his. On its porch, Leland Stanford and Jane Stanford greeted the Jordans and the Elliotts on the first evening of their arrival. On its porch, the first entrance tests were administered. On its porch, David Starr Jordan greeted the women of Roble Hall when, one evening, they came to celebrate the birth of his daughter, Barbara.

 

These are some of the recorded events taking place within the confines of this building. There must be countless others. And yet, now, hidden within the oaks of Comstock Circle, Escondite Cottage, now known as the Administration Building of Escondido Village, is unmarked as an historical site and closed to visitors.

 

As part of my research for a series of novels I am writing about Stanford University----1891: A Novel about Stanford University is written and published. 1892 is partially written and should be completed in a year---I am preparing an historical tour of Stanford University that could be used in conjunction with the books. In somewhat of a happenstance manner I have published this tour on my blog. I expect to combine these tidbits and place it on my site: http://home.earthlink.net/~jerryfranks.

 

The tour had just been to Encina Hall and I was about to describe Escontite Cottage when I decided to revisit the site, I had not been there in 3-5 years. I wanted to make sure it was still there. At first, I was not certain. The surroundings were different this time. Using a “where are you” map, I picked out the administrative building for Escondido Village and made my way there. Rounding the turn, I knew the building before me had to be it. The porch had been changed and a second floor added, but the narrow windows were unlike those of its single story neighbors, and it had an older, more majestic appearance.

 

Walking in, I was greeted by a young Hispanic woman. I asked her if she knew she was working in an historic site. She said that she did and had looked up the cottage on the Internet. She knew all about Peter Coutts and the history of the building. I was pleased. I asked her if I could look around. She said, nicely, no I could not. Could I peek around the doorway? Yes.  The building had not been gutted. The doors and woodwork looked like the original. Down the narrow hall, I could see various rooms that might have been the dining room, parlor, and bedrooms. Up and down that hallway, Kingsley Jordan and Lewis Elliott would have chased one another. I asked the young lady if the interior was pretty much as it was and she said yes, it was. I thanked her and exited, highly elated that Escontite Cottage remained, still pretty much as it was back in 1891.

 

If you would like to visit this historical site, take the Bowdoin exit to Stanford Avenue, turn left to Escondido Road, turn left, go past Olmsted---This is the only homage paid to Frederick Olmsted who designed the oval and its surroundings. For more information about the relationship between Leland Stanford and Frederick Olmsted, go to my site.----the next turning to the right is Comstock, turn. The address is 859 Comstock Circle. You won’t be able to go in and look around, but perhaps our friendly receptionist will let you take a peek down the hallway. Tell her the old guy with white hair sent you.

Posted by Jerry at 15:59:44 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Friday, October 05, 2007

Continuing Tour of Stanford---Encina Hall

Looking back at my blog, I see we were at the Quad. There are some things I left out about that historic place. It was the heart of the university. The Opening Ceremonies took place at the East Arch. How they hung the black velvet curtain up and the picture of Leland, Jr. I will never know. But they did it. Courting or queening as they called it in those days took place in the circular planters. Couples had a hard time making out. There were few private places. For goodness sake, the cactus garden. How romantic can you get? Sam MacDonald had a story when he was living in Cedro Cottage; he heard a couple making the sounds of love. He made his presence known and he was sure they thought he was a ghost. Roble Bridge was another spot, across the creek. As you know and I know, couples can be very creative when they want to, irregardless of Mrs. Stanford's wishes.

Back to Encina Hall. It's an easy walk from the Quad. Still there in all its glory. I walked into the lobby and walked around but that is about as far as you can get. The details behind the double doors were dug up from my memories of being there circa 1952. My first year was at Stanford Village, now the municipal center of Menlo Park, but that is another story that someone should write.

Encina was the most imposing building on the campus. Because of that, all the posed pictures you will see that were taken at that time (1891-1901) were taken on the steps or in front of the building.

Another thing to remember is that all the boys, men, professors, and even some visitors were housed there. Because of that broader friendship could be formed and more mischief could be conceived on a grand scale---the flatcar prank is a good example of that.

Going into the lobby will give you a feel for the place. You can see where the dining room was, dead ahead. I particularly like to remember how the Roble girls swept into the place and the Encina boys were hanging like monkies  from the bannisters.  

I lived on the western side, toward Mayfield. I could look out my window and see what was going on that side of the building. One incident sticks in my head. A Stanford Rough was proudly showing his mother around the place where, I guess, he lived. They wandered a little too close and a water bag rained on his mother's head. The rough made a fist at the bank of windows. In response, a high-pitched laugh rang out. I have heard that laugh described in other situations and can only think it is another Stanford tradition. Who am I to say? Enough for now. Will probably think of more, later. Otherwise, on to David Starr Jordan's residence----Escontite Cottage.

 

 

 

 

Posted by Jerry at 17:25:42 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) |