South Courts (1963)

‌Following World War II, the Iowa State Teachers College experienced a continued demand for married student housing. The immediate postwar response was the construction of Sunset Village, which consisted of 72 buildings made from postwar military surplus corrugated steel and accommodated 144 families. Those temporary buildings were meant to last five years but were used for 25. The next response was College Courts, built between 1956 and 1959. These were permanent buildings that housed 48 families until they were demolished in 2011.

By the early 1960s, the college needed more family housing, but the level of bonded indebtedness of the dormitory system did not allow for the construction of further permanent units. In March 1961, the Board of Regents considered a request for $200,000 to purchase 50 trailers for use as family housing. Some objected, stating that the trailers would be unsightly and short-lived. They said the proposed $45 per month rent could not amortize the cost of the trailers within their useful lifespans. But in September 1962, the Regents approved a bid of $127,240 from Hilton Mobile Homes of Guttenberg, Iowa, for 50 trailers. The two-bedroom units were 38 by 10 feet, varied in color, and were placed on permanent foundations.

In April 1963, Dennis Jensen, assistant to the dean of students, announced the trailers would be available in summer 1963. All rooms, except for one bedroom, would be furnished. A model trailer would be available for inspection. Rent would be $45 per month, and tenants would pay for utilities. Preference would be given to families with children.

By June 12, 1963, twenty-seven units were occupied, with the remaining 23 units to be installed that summer. The total cost of the project, including landscaping, roads and sidewalks, was reported as $174,950. Early in spring 1964, the Student League Board donated money for a playground for children living in Sunset Village and South Courts.

South Courts trailer unit being lowered by crane — South Courts trailer unit being lowered by a crane, c. 1960s, University of Northern Iowa Photograph Collection, BUI Box 32, BUI 79.01 South Courts Folder 7, #23, University Archives, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa.

South Courts units, c. 1960s, University of Northern Iowa Photograph Collection, BUI Box 32, BUI 79.01 South Courts Folder 7, #23, University Archives, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa.

In December 1966, the Board approved $240,000, supported by the Dormitory Improvement Fund, for the purchase of 50 more trailers. These units were to be available for occupancy by September 1967. Rent for these units was to be $55 per month and $50 per month for the older units. The Regents also approved $15,000 for sidewalks in South Courts.

By November 1975, the administration was preparing a master plan for married student housing. The trailers were nine to 13 years old, one had been destroyed in a fire, one had been abandoned due to its condition, and two required unsustainable repairs. An architect drew up a study on the replacement of the capacity of the South Court units. For reasons of aesthetics, lifespan, wind hazards and site terrain, installing new trailers would not be considered. As Director of Planning Leland Thomson said, “An 'austerity' design is implied in the rental price, but should not result in sloppy construction … our goal is to provide standard housing accommodations at rental rates that our students can afford.”

South Courts unit kitchen — Residents in a South Courts kitchen, September 12, 1967, University of Northern Iowa Photograph Collection, BUI Box 32, BUI 79.01 South Courts Folder 7, #23, University Archives, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa.

Living room in South Courts unit, July 26, 1963, University of Northern Iowa Photograph Collection, BUI Box 32, BUI 79.01 South Courts Folder 7, #23, University Archives, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa.

In March 1976, the Regents commissioned a married student housing master plan contract, not to exceed $31,500, to study site development, grading, building schematics, walks and utilities for three hundred housing units. The architect was to study all housing options and compare costs of construction, operations and energy use of the various options. At that time, UNI offered 425 units of married student housing: 278 in Hillside Courts, 48 in College Courts, and 99 in South Courts. The Board of Regents executive secretary Wayne Richey wanted UNI to bring its accommodations for married students up from 20% of enrolled married students to 30%.

Work began in spring 1977 on 40 more Hillside Courts units. Housing administrator Jan Hollins said UNI would "be gradually decommissioning our older 1963 model trailers… we will maintain the trailers as long as we can to provide low cost housing for summer students and those who can't afford to pay for renting other married housing units."

In April 1978, the Regents passed a resolution allowing UNI to decommission the 49 remaining 1963 trailers. At that point, some were already out of service and others were increasingly hard to maintain. The Regents resolution allowed the university to sell the units when they became irreparable. Later in 1978, when the 40 new Hillside Courts were available for occupancy, the university began to look for ways to replace the 1967 trailers. In November 1981, Mr. Hollins said, "We are phasing out South Courts because, as rental properties, they have well fulfilled their objectives. Apartments are more practical and they are more in demand than mobile homes." Rent at that time was $96 per month in South Courts.

The Northern Iowan reported in spring 1982 that the last of the trailers would be removed that summer.

Compiled by University Archivist Gerald L. Peterson, with scanning by Library Assistant Gail Briddle, September 2002; updated March 21, 2012 (GP); photos and citations updated by Graduate Assistant Eliza Mussmann April 5, 2023. Copyedited by Student Assistant Sara Shannon, January 2026.