High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The history of Arizona State University began March 12, 1885 with the founding of the establishment originally named the Tempe Normal School. The school was founded after John Samuel Armstrong first introduced House Bill 164, "An Act to Establish a Normal School in the Territory of Arizona to the 13th Legislative Assembly of the Arizona Territory. Instruction was instituted on February 8, 1886 under the supervision of Principal Hiram Bradford Farmer. Land for the school was donated by Tempe residents George and Martha Wilson, allowing 33 students to meet in a single room.