Fostering a Campus

According to Ritter, the credit for establishing a permanent location for Scripps belonged to E.W. There had been some difficulty finding a suitable location for the marine laboratory between the years 1903, when Ritter first brought his summer field studies to San Diego, and 1907, when the Scripps campus was established. During those four years, the seasonal laboratory moved around the San Diego area from Coronado to Point Loma to a small facility built on Point La Jolla. But for various reasons, all proved unsuitable for the long term.

E. W.'s solution was typically shrewd: finesse from the city of San Diego a 177-acre tract of former pueblo land located between La Jolla Cove, north of the city, and towering cliffs a few miles further north. It was a fortunate choice as this coastal area encompassed a wide variety of habitats, from kelp beds and sandy beaches to rocky reefs and cobble. These natural laboratories provided ample opportunities for field studies and scientific collecting. There was also plenty of upland area for future campus expansion. And all this for $1,000, a below-market price guaranteed to the Marine Biological Association by a very supportive city council. Ellen, working with her brother, was the one who actually signed the check and paid for the purchase. In exchange for the bargain, Ellen also agreed to provide an additional $10,000 to pay for a public roadway through the acreage, the first step in developing the remote area. Thus, the research outpost was made accessible to cities throughout southern California.