[2] In the novel Little Town on the Prairie, Wilder describes her sister's curriculum at the college as "political economy, and literature, and higher mathematics, and sewing, knitting, beadwork and music."

The subsequent novel These Happy Golden Years mentions Mary's use of a Braille slate and attendance at the college's chapel.

As part of its transformation from a residential school to a state agency, it underwent a name change to the Iowa Statewide System For Vision Services.

Iowa Educational Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired (IESBVI), is now headquartered in Council Bluffs.

[4] Since 2008, the North Central Region headquarters for AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) has been located on the campus.