According to this historical document from 1895, Mayor William H. Carlson convened a mass meeting to discuss offering the Russ School house and grounds to the State Normal School. This proposal was prompted by the growing population of the city and the scarcity of teachers, making the establishment of normal schools a pressing necessity during that era. It's worth noting that the Russ Public School, which was founded in 1882 and named after lumberman Joseph Russ, eventually evolved into the present-day San Diego High School. Subsequently, the San Diego Normal School was established on March 13, 1897, and is now known as San Diego State University, situated in University Heights.

• 18950114 Doc0333 Message of the Mayor Offering Russ High School grounds to the State for a ‘Normal School’