This August marks the 50th anniversary of the completion of the Wallace Residence Center on the University of Idaho campus.
File photo | Student Media Anthony Outman | Argonaut
Wallace is a residence hall with four wings and a variety of living spaces. There is co-ed, single gender and Greek housing sectioned by floors. Wallace also holds the University Housing office and Bob’s Place. The photo below appeared in the 1964 University of Idaho yearbook, Gem of the Mountains.
Last year, University Housing celebrated the 50th anniversary of the beginning of construction by unveiling the finished renovations to the Ballard wing. Ballard renovations began in 2011.
“Wallace is one of our most unique communities on campus. It is home to almost 1000 people every year,” Kelsi Nagle, recruitment coordinator for University Housing said. “That’s a lot of people in fifty years.”
On opening day in 1963, the Wallace complex was home to the first residential elevator on campus. The complex included Ballard Wing, Stevenson Wing, the cafeteria and the housing office. Wiley Wing was finished in 1965 and Gooding Wing was finished in 1967. The wings were named after Idaho senators Frank R. Gooding, N.B. Wiley, Edward A. Stevenson and David W. Ballard.
The Wallace Complex is named to honor the first territorial governor of Idaho, William H. Wallace. The complex was planned under University of Idaho President Donald R. Theophilus and designed by the Boise firm of Wayland, Cline and Smull.
Wallace has undergone several renovations since it was first constructed. The most recent renovation included new carpeting, cabinetry, vanity sets, curtains, lounge spaces, ceiling tiles, paint, doors and updated door locks and hall furniture in all four wings.
Constructed and renovated during the Cold War, Wallace was one of 28 facilities listed in Latah County’s civil defense program as a bomb shelter if a nuclear attack were to occur.
Bob’s Place, the campus cafeteria, is an original part of the complex and was renovated in 1977. To this day it is still the primary dining hall for students that live on campus. The buffet-style cafeteria offers a variety of meal plans and dining options to meet student needs.
Wallace is the largest residence hall on campus and houses freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
“I absolutely loved my freshmen year in Wallace,” UI student Vanessa Kaminski said. “I wouldn’t do it any differently even if I could. It’s college and definitely an experience I will always remember,”
Students will begin to move in to the Wallace Complex August 21.
Kaitie Martin can be reached at [email protected]