Repository: UIHistories Project: Course Catalog - 1877-1878 Version A [PAGE 18]

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Illinois Industrial University.

HISTORY.

The Illinois Industrial University, the State University of Illinois, had its origin in a movement for the higher education of the industrial classes, begun in 1851, and resulting in the Congressional grant of lands for this purpose, made to the several States in 1862, and amounting in this State to 480,000 acres. The University was chartered in February, 1867, and opened to students in March, 1868. In addition to the endowment from the land grant, over $400,000 were donated by Champaign County in bonds, buildings, and farms. The State has also made large appropriations for fitting up and stocking the farms, for library and apparatus, and for buildings, including the large Main Building erected in 1872 and 1873, and the Mechanical Building and Drill Hall. Successive Colleges and Schools have been added as required, till four Colleges, including fifteen distinct Schools, have been organized. The whole number martriculated as students since the opening is 1285. The number graduated from the several Colleges, including the class of 1877, is 160. In 1871 the University was opened for lady students, on the same terms as to gentlemen. In 1874 a fine Art Gallery was established, containing a large collection of casts of celebrated statues and sculptures, and of engravings and autotypes.

LOCATION.

The University has a beautiful- and healthful situation on the high grounds between the contiguous cities of Champaign and Urbana, and within the corporate limits of the latter. It is one hundred and twentyeight miles south from Chicago, at the junction of the Illinois Central Railroad and the Indianapolis, Bloomington and Western Railway. The county is a region of beautiful rolling prairies, with large belts of timber along the streams, and is one of the richest farming districts in the State.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.

The domain occupied by the University and its several departments embraces about 623 acres, including stock farm, experimental farm, orchards, gardens, nurseries, forest plantations, arboretum, botanical garden, ornamental grounds, and military parade ground. The University buildings, fifteen in number, include a grand Main Building for public use, one large and two small Dormitory buildings, a large Mechanical and Drill Hall, a Veterinary Hall, a small Astronomical Observatory, three dwellings, two large barns, and a large green-house.