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D−History
History · Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University dates to 1937

More historic than 3% of U.S. towns · #824 of 847 in California. What drives it

Most of Pepperdine University was built recently: 0.0% of its homes predate 1940 and the median home dates from 1987. Below: 1 old photo or paper and maps from 1903 on.

1937founded
0on the National Register
0.0%homes built before 1940
1old photo or paper
Add an old photoShare a memory
From Pepperdine University’s archive · credits on each photo
Quick answers

How Pepperdine University began

When was Pepperdine University founded?

1937

Pepperdine University dates its founding to 1937 (Wikidata).

2020 census: 2,74789 years

How historic is Pepperdine University?

D−

More historic than 3% of U.S. towns, on its age, its old homes and the National Register.

What drives the grade ↓
Founding year: Wikidata.The full story ↓
History grade

What drives Pepperdine University’s History grade

On its age, its old homes and the National Register, Pepperdine University is more historic than 3% of U.S. towns, #824 of 847 in California. Its National Register listings hold the grade up; its share of homes from before 1940 pulls it down.

D−
HistoryA character grade: shown, never part of Pepperdine University’s overall grade.
Founding era1937, from Wikidata: founded 1900–1944, an older era than 9% of U.S. townsDHomes built before 19400.0% of homes (±6.3) · typical CA town 3.4% · U.S. 8.4%D−National RegisterNo listings counted · typical CA town 0.0 per 10,000 · U.S. 2.4C
All U.S. towns we grade (21,289)Ahead of 3%
NewerOlder
California towns of 2,500+ (847)Ahead of 3%

Few California towns list much on the Register (a typical California town has 0.0 per 10,000 residents, the U.S. 2.4), so Pepperdine University’s 0.0 sits below most of its state (31% of California towns have fewer) while its 0 listings outnumber those of 23% of U.S. towns.

NoteThe founding year comes from Wikidata alone; no second source gives 1937.
How sure. Graded on any two of the three inputs instead, the letter would range from D− to D. The pre-1940 share is a Census survey estimate (±6.3 points).

Founding year: Wikidata (other dates in Quick answers). Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register: National Park Service, May 2026 list; each listing counted once (boundary changes and added documentation belong to their listing), and a historic district counts its contributing buildings. How TownRatings grades history →

What stands out about Pepperdine University’s past

Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.

A history waiting to be writtenOnly 1 old photo is in the public archives. The rest are in attics and albums.On the map since 19038 editions of the USGS map, 1903 to 1995. Watch Pepperdine University change.
★ What stands out · Help out

Start Pepperdine University’s collection

The first neighbors to add old photos shape how Pepperdine University’s history is told.

Decades since 1900 with photos
00s10s20s30s40s50s60s70s80s90s
0 of 10 decades. The empty ones are waiting for someone’s album.
Date a photo1 archive item has no date. Guess the decade.+2Retake an old viewPepperdinefire: stand where they stood+15Share a family photoSign in to add one+10
On the map

Pepperdine University on the map, 1903 to 1995

Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Pepperdine University. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.

Pepperdine University on the 1903 USGS mapPepperdine University on the 1929 USGS mapPepperdine University on the 1932 USGS mapPepperdine University on the 1944 USGS mapPepperdine University on the 1950 USGS mapPepperdine University on the 1967 USGS mapPepperdine University on the 1981 USGS mapPepperdine University on the 1995 USGS map1903Calabasas sheet · 1:62,500

U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Pepperdine University.

The story

How Pepperdine University came to be

From Wikipedia’s history of Pepperdine University.

Read it all →

In February 1937, against the backdrop of the Great Depression, George Pepperdine founded a liberal arts college in the city of Los Angeles to be affiliated with the Churches of Christ.

Pepperdine had built his fortune largely through the Western Auto Supply Company, which he founded in 1909 with a $5 investment. Pepperdine had a twofold objective for the college: "First, we want to provide first-class, fully accredited academic training in the liberal arts ... Secondly, we are especially dedicated to a greater goal—that of building in the student a Christ-like life, a love for the church, and a passion for the souls of mankind."

ChaptersEarly yearsRacial unrest, murder, and move to MalibuGrowth of the university

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

By decade

Pepperdine University, decade by decade

Date unknown1 to date
PepperdinefireDate?Pepperdinefire
Today30 recent
Christopher Parkening Master Class with Jubilant Sykes2019Christopher Parkening Master Class with Jubilant SykesChristopher Parkening Master Class with Jubilant Sykes2019Christopher Parkening Master Class with Jubilant SykesChristopher Parkening Master Class with Jubilant Sykes2019Christopher Parkening Master Class with Jubilant SykesChristopher Parkening Master Class with Jubilant Sykes2019Christopher Parkening Master Class with Jubilant SykesMalibu Pepperdine University P40703122018Malibu Pepperdine University P4070312Malibu Pepperdine University P40703112018Malibu Pepperdine University P4070311Malibu Pepperdine University P40703102018Malibu Pepperdine University P4070310Malibu Pepperdine University P40703092018Malibu Pepperdine University P4070309Pepperdine University2016Pepperdine UniversityPepperdine University2016Pepperdine UniversityPepperdine University + Pacific Ocean2016Pepperdine University + Pacific OceanPepperdine Tennis Courts2016Pepperdine Tennis CourtsPepperdine Shuttles2016Pepperdine ShuttlesDrescher Graduate Campus at Pepperdine2016Drescher Graduate Campus at PepperdinePayson Library2014Payson LibraryMalibu-Pepperdine-university-Aerial-from-north-August-20142014Malibu-Pepperdine-university-Aerial-from-north-August…Malibu-Pepperdine-university-Aerial-from-north-August-2014 crop2014Malibu-Pepperdine-university-Aerial-from-north-August…Wikimania dc 12.07.2012 16-18-522012Wikimania dc 12.07.2012 16-18-52Sylmar-San Fernando station 2126 012012Sylmar-San Fernando station 2126 01Pepperdine University, a Christian college known for its picturesque location in Malibu, California2012Pepperdine University, a Christian college known for …Pepperdine University 20112011Pepperdine University 2011Pepperdine University2011Pepperdine UniversityPepperdine2008PepperdinePepperdine University, Malibu, California2008Pepperdine University, Malibu, CaliforniaPepperdine University, Malibu, California (1)2008Pepperdine University, Malibu, California (1)Pepperdine University Malibu Canyon Entrance Gate2007Pepperdine University Malibu Canyon Entrance GatePepperdine University 20072007Pepperdine University 2007Pepperdine University 2007, 22007Pepperdine University 2007, 2Pepperdine University 20062006Pepperdine University 2006Pepperdine University 2006, 22006Pepperdine University 2006, 2
Then & now

Stand where they stood

No then-and-now pairs yet. Take a photo from the same spot as an old one and they appear here side by side.

Pepperdinefire
Retake this viewPepperdinefire

Find the spot, match the angle, and add your photo. It becomes the first then-and-now pair on Pepperdine University’s page.

Retake this view · +15
Famous people

Famous people close to Pepperdine University

Nobody well known was born in Pepperdine University itself, so here are the best known from just nearby.

See all →
Marilyn MonroeAmerican actress and model · b. 1926
Leonardo DiCaprioAmerican actor and producer · b. 1974
G
Gwyneth PaltrowAmerican actress, entrepreneur, writer and sing… · b. 1972
C
Chris PineAmerican actor · b. 1980
J
Jodie FosterAmerican actress and filmmaker · b. 1962
Kim KardashianAmerican media personality, businesswoman, mode… · b. 1980
Stories next door

History across the town line

Each neighbor’s History grade, on the same three inputs.

Malibu4 historic placesC

Questions about Pepperdine University’s history

What year was Pepperdine University founded?

In 1937, according to Wikidata.

How does Pepperdine University rank for history?

Pepperdine University is more historic than 3% of U.S. towns, #824 of 847 in California. The History grade combines the town’s founding era, the share of homes built before 1940 and its National Register listings. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.

How old are the homes in Pepperdine University?

0.0% of Pepperdine University’s homes were built before 1940 (Census estimate, ±6.3 points), against a typical 3.4% for a California town; the median home was built in 1987.

Memory lane

What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.

Town Square →
Start a conversation
Sources

Where this page comes from

Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).

From Wikimedia Commons (31), Wikipedia and U.S. Geological Survey historical maps. Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.