Today in 1970, College of the Canyons (COC) held its first classes in portable buildings located just south of the future Cougar Stadium.

The new college, created after Santa Clarita Valley voters approved a junior college in 1967, opened with hundreds of students and more than 160 courses across subjects including art, science, business, and police science. 

Classes had been held on the Hart High School campus since the previous fall, but the first “on-campus” classes would not be held until 1970.

The on-site classes took place in a grouping of 99 prefabricated buildings that faculty, staff and students would alternately call the “Instant Campus” or “Stalag 13,” the latter a reference to the stark World War II-era German prisoner-of-war camp featured in the TV sitcom “Hogan’s Heroes.” 

Once the village of modular buildings was in place, work commenced on the adjacent football field and surrounding all-weather “Tartan track.” The massive concrete stadium and lights would come later, after the visitors’ stands were built.

At the start of the second academic year, more than 1,200 people were attending classes. It was a strong indicator of community need and the growth yet to come.

Early student life included organizing sports teams, drafting a student constitution, and participating in theater and other activities. 

For many, including local residents and recent high school graduates, the new campus was a source of pride and excitement, laying the foundation for what would become one of California’s fastest-growing community colleges.

To read yesterday’s Today in SCV History, click here.

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