Stanford University - The Beginning

Stanford University's story begins in 1884 when railroad baron and former California governor Leland Stanford and his wife Jane’s only child died from typhoid fever. Upon their son's death, Leland Stanford said to his wife, "The children of California shall be our children." After consultation with Harvard University President Eliot about their ideas of establishing a university, a lecture hall and museum, or a technical school in their son's name, the Stanfords chose to proceed with a university in Palo Alto. Stanford University opened its doors in 1891 with a co-ed student body of 559.

Hotel near Stanford University. Located just a few miles from Stanford University, Holiday Inn Express Redwood City offers convenient hotel accommodations for family members visiting Stanford students and faculty, and for prospective students touring the campus. The hotel is also an ideal location for a weekend getaway to Palo Alto for Cardinals home games, especially the "Big Game," when the Cardinals take on rival Cal Berkeley at the close of each football season.  [Top]