The university of Idaho opened its doors in 1892. It would be only seventeen more

years until heating and air conditioning would be introduced to the Moscow

campus.

The image above is the Historical information section of the history of the heating

plant from the archives providing background information when the current

powerplant’s construction was pending approved in 1927.

Here one can view the changes in the current University Power Plant over time:

Power plant, University of Idaho. [160-1]

The university of Idaho Plant in 1930

Power plant, University of Idaho. Engineering Building site. [160-2]

The university of Idaho Plant in 1941

There weren’t any major changes during the first 11 years of operation

The university of Idaho Plant in 2014

A floor was added as well as two more stacks

The university of Idaho Plant in 2017

No major changes in the last three years

The Power Plant had its humble begins an art building that in 1927 was converted

in a heating plant. Up until this point The Central Heating Plant had been used to

provide heating. The conversion included switching to a one boiler system. This

renovation had a relatively small impact on the campus since the one oil powered

boilers was not enough to power the whole campus. In 1947, the university

proposed to get more compacity and the university hired from the Lincoln Bolton

& Association of professional engineers to do a cost assessment1. Later that year

two more boilers were added. In 1985, after hiring a consulting firm, the

university installed three propane powered boilers and two more stacks added for

1 James, Specifications for new steam generating unit, page 1

the newly created exhaust.2 According to Plant manager Michael Lyngholm; the

Power Plant currently has switched from propane to wood. As a matter of fact, the

Plant uses around 45,000 tons of wood annually.

The improvement in heating and air conditioning would lead to a change in

clothing and a better learning environment for the students. Most of us take for

granted the fact we have heating and air conditioning. Unheated classrooms must

have been unbearable by modern standards, since all the students were wearing

trench coats and most had sweaters or suits.

“This book has all the answers” 1939 Idaho Gem3

2 University of Idaho, Proposed installation of Waste wood fired boiler, pg 13 Charelsworth, Bill,1939 Gem of the Mountains, pg 27

"A posed publicity picture" 1939 Idaho Gem

Please take note of the student's clothing. Just imagine having to write with gloves

on or have white knuckles; while carrying around an extra few layers.

Uncontrolled Temperatures can drastically impact student’s ability to study.

“The coming and going between periods through sweet hall” 1941 Idaho Gem

Notice how most of the room is wearing suit jackets, slacks, and dress shirts. In

just ten years; students have shifter more towards dress clothes as opposed to

heavily layered winter clothes. While heating may not be the only factor that

affected the evolution in students clothing styles, it did contribute. Another factor

worth mentioning is that students tended to dress up to look good on camera. The

university of Idaho’s for investment in heating-air condition is worthwhile because

it contributes to a better learning environment. Not all of campus has heating-air

conditioning, hopefully someday at least classrooms in sessions get that “luxury”.

Campus life has evolved over time much like the power plant.

This blog is a part of a larger “campus Obscura” project. Related posts can be

found through the interactive map below. Please explore and share.