Canvas tents were used to house visiting summer students that could not be accommodated in Blackford Hall or one of the older homes used as dormitories at the Biological Laboratory.

As reported in the 1930 Annual Report of The Biological Laboratory, "Further minor improvements were made in living quarters, and all tents were eliminated from the laboratory grounds."

Following the use of the canvas tents came the use of elementary wooden cabins. They were originally on the lawn between Blackford Hall and the Animal House.