USC — officially founded Oct. 6, 1880, when Los Angeles was little more than a frontier town — first opened its doors to 53 students and 10 teachers.

Back then, the “city” still lacked paved streets, electric lights, telephones and a reliable fire alarm system.

Today, USC is home to more than 47,000 students and some 4,000 full-time faculty, and is located in the heart of one of the biggest metropolises in the world. The school’s first building lives on as Widney Alumni House.

Learn more about the history of what is now one of America’s leading research universities.

VIDEO | USC history — Honoring the past:

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