from 1924 Polk's Oakland
The Polytechnic College of Engineering, founded in 1898 and chartered in 1911, was located on the northeast corner of 13th and Madison Streets, Oakland, California.
By 1920 the college was simply referred to as the Polytechnic College, of which W. E. Gibson, was President and H. C. Ingram, Vice President. The following is from a 1920 advertisement for the college:
"A University of Practical Education - Embracing Engineering - Vocational - Commercial"
"One of the best equipped Technical Colleges in the United States. Grants degrees to those completing Engineering Courses. Owns and occupies its own buildings and grounds, machine shops, laboratories, field instruments. intensified, thorough and practical courses. Students do practical work while pursuing their courses."
"Engineering College: Includes Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Mining and Architectural Engineering."
"Vocational: Includes Automobile Engineering, Machine Shop and Practical Work in electricity."
"Commercial: Includes Business Training, Private Secretarial Stenography, Banking and Office Practice."
"Faculty - Composed of Specialists - those who have qualified especially for the work they are doing. They have been chosen by reason of ability and experience, and are experts in their special subjects."
The Merritt Book (Merritt, Frank Clinton. History of Alameda County. Chicago: SJ Clarke Publishing Company, 1928.) has a biography of Professor Willis Ervin Gibson that might be helpful in this entry.
The 1904 directory lists a Polytechnic Business School at 12th and Clay, with W.E. Gibson, president, and H.C. Ingram, secretary. See this photo from 1906 showing earthquake damage.
from 1941 Polk's guide
via Internet Archive
from 1941 Polk's guide
via Internet Archive 
1911 Sanborn map
Links and References
- ad Berkeley Daily Gazette December 10, 1930
