1901:
The state legislature establishes the California Polytechnic School.
1915:
A faculty group starts the informal operation of a student store.
1933:
The school president, Julian A. McPhee, establishes El Corral Bookstore. A faculty committee assists with our management.
1940:
The California Polytechnic School Foundation incorporates.
1941:
We operate a snack bar inside the bookstore.
1966:
El Corral Bookstore becomes a commercial operation of the California Polytechnic College Foundation.
1971:
El Corral Bookstore moves to the new Julian A. McPhee University Union.
1972:
We accept charge cards.
1984:
Apple, Leading Edge, and Sanyo are the first computers we sell.
1993:
Cal Poly Downtown opens its doors on San Luis Obispo’s main street.
1997:
www.elcorralbookstore.com hits the Internet.
1998:
Textbook Reservation Service is offered to new students for Fall Term.
1999:
Textbook Reservation Service is offered to all students for Winter Term.
2001:
Shop Once Service makes it easy to “reserve” an out-of-stock textbook with prepayment.
2002:
We invent VIP Buyback for Fall Term.
2004:
www.elcorralbookstore.com is reborn as Version 1.
2006:
A new philanthropic foundation assumes the name of California Polytechnic State University Foundation. The original foundation is now the Cal Poly Corporation. El Corral Bookstore takes over Pony Prints, a full-service print & copy center at the university library.
2007:
Cal Poly Downtown gets a second make-over.
2009:
www.elcorralbookstore.com upgrades to Version 2.