In 1898 land was donated to the State of California to build a “Normal School,” a  state-sponsored teacher-training college.  A Neoclassic Revival college building, designed by local architects William S. Hebbard and Irving Gill, was completed and opened in 1899.  In 1922 an annex was built for use as the San Diego Normal School Drafting Classroom and Men’s Locker Room. By 1928, the student body had outgrown the facilities at the Normal School and moved to its present day location on Montezuma Mesa, where it eventually became San Diego State University,

Originally named El Cajon Avenue, the thoroughfare started as a dirt road and was home to the first small business district in San Diego. In 1912 Highway 80 — the first transcontinental highway — was joined with El Cajon Avenue and spanned from San Diego to Georgia.  In 1937 the city voted that El Cajon Avenue officially change to El Cajon Boulevard because of its significance for travelers. As the transition from Avenue to Boulevard went underway, the street was widened by 100 feet and decorative street lighting was installed.  San Diego Normal School and the annex can be seen in the distance of this photo, perhaps taken around 1915. It could be the shortest road race ever, with a considerable crowd of folks back up the hill, and a group of well-wishers next to the car.

The first time I saw this photo I guessed that it might be around 43rd and El Cajon. I've included it here because I like it. 

The 1922 Normal School Annex is still in use to this day.  That's the remodeled "Frank the Trainman" building on the right, with the original neon sign preserved and placed on the south wall of the building.  You can see it behind the Jacaranda Tree.