Married student housing at Central dates from 1945. Before World War II, housing for married students at colleges and universities in the United States was rare, since there were few married students. In 1945, Central bought thirty-six trailers from the federal government. These trailers, known as "Vetville," were located on the present site of Larzelere and Trout Halls. They remained there until 1952.
In 1946, the university installed an additional twenty-six metal trailers to house fifty-two families on the present site of Calkins Hall. Rent for these units was $40 per month. This area, known as "Centralville," had a village council and drew up a constitution. They had annual elections, traffic laws, a speed limit, and designated parking areas and rubbish collection sites, all organized by the inhabitants. The units remained until 1957. By 1955, there were 250 full-time married students, comprising twelve percent of the population at Central.
In
the spring of 1954, Preston Apartments opened. This complex, which was located
to the east of the library, consisted of 48 permanent apartments for married
students and their families. Forty-eight more units were added in 1955. In the
fall of 1967, these apartments became unmarried housing to accomodate a rapid
rise in enrollment, but reverted to married housing after the completion of
the Towers.
In
1957, Washington Apartments were constructed. These furnished apartments rented
for $60-$70 per month. There are 108 one-bedroom units and 84 two-bedroom units.
Northwest Apartments were constructed in 1968 on the site that was originally
planned for the Towers. There are 48 one-bedroom units and 148 two-bedroom units.
Construction of Northwest was plagued by delays due to worker shortages and
strikes in 1967. The unit finished three months behind schedule, then controversies
over the open-backed staircase design and the lack of storage space further
delayed the opening.
In 19??, the Kewadin Village complex opened. This complex consists of forty one-bedroom, forty two-bedroom and twenty three-bedroom units.
This page last updated August 2001.