Repository: UIHistories Project: Course Catalog - 1870-1871 [PAGE 13]

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In 1869, the Legislature appropriated $25,000 to the Agricultural Department for barns, tools, stock, etc., and $20,000 to the Horticultural Department for green house, bavns, drainage, trees, tools, &c, besides $5,000 to Chemical Laboratory, and $10,000 for Library and apparatus. The present Legislature has lately appropriated $75,000 to begin the erection of a main building which is to cost $150,000; and $25,000 for a Mechanical Building and machinery, to include a large Drill Hall for the Military Department. Plans have been adopted and the erection of these buildings is to begin at once. The new Mechanical Building is to be ready for use at the opening of the Fall Term, and the walls of the main building are to be erected this year. The University began in 1868 with seventy-five students. The number has rapidly increased, till now its catalogue shows a total number of two hundred and seventy-seven in attendance during the year closing June 7, 1872. As fast as required, the several Departments have been organized, till at length all the great industrial classes are represented, including Agriculturists, Mechanics, Engineers, Miners, Architects, Chemists, Merchants and Publishers, and each class may find here the instructions necessary to the best understanding and performance of its work. In the Autumn of 1871 the University was opened for the instruction of female students, and now it offers all its advantages to all classes of society, without regard to sex, sect or condition.

LOCATION.

The University is situated in the city of Urbana, adjoining the limits of the city of Champaign, in Champaign County, Illinois. It is 128 miles from Chicago, on the Illinois Central Railroad. The new and splendid Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railway passes near the grounds. The County is one of the most beautiful prairie regions in the West. The two contiguous cjties, constituting, really, only one community, have together a population of nearly 9,000, well supplied with churches and schools, and affording boarding facilities for a large body of students.

UNIVERSITY GROUNDS AND FARMS.

The lands occupied by tne University embrace about 623 acres divided as follows: 1. The Campus, about 13 acres, including ornamental grounds and a Military Parade ground. 2. The Horticultural Grounds, about 130 acres, embracing gardens, orchards, nurseries, arboretum and forest plantations. 3. Experimental Farm, 70 acres, including the experimental plats and fields. 4. The Stock Farm, 410 acres,