Leland Stanford purchases 650 acres of land for a stock farm for his horses. This farm will become the core of Stanford University campus. Future purchases by Leland Stanford will add to the property, leading to over 8000 acres total.
The great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 devastates the campus, permanently changing Stanford's architectural character. An archway over the entrance to the quad is destroyed. The church is badly damaged and its bell tower is destroyed. See the Stanford University and the 1906 Earthquake for photographs and additional information.
Stanford University is established. The first class has 559 men and women. There are 15 faculty members the first year, with 49 by the second year. Frederick Law Olmsted, the architect for New York's Central Park, designs the Stanford campus.