Author: rgrennan

Life and Death Of the Elephant: the Secret History Of the First University Building

Posted on by Rory Grennan

When Urbana was chosen as the site of the Illinois Industrial University (now the University of Illinois) in 1867, one of the advantages it had over other potential locations was the Urbana and Champaign Institute, a brand-new, five-story, empty school building that was ready for the University’s immediate use. This building became the University of Illinois in 1867, and was the only campus building until the Mechanical Building and Drill Hall was erected in 1872.

But how did Champaign County happen to have an empty school to donate to the University in the first place? The answer involves God, money, war, and politics. Continue reading “Life and Death Of the Elephant: the Secret History Of the First University Building” →

Homecoming History: Hobo Band Parade

Posted on by Rory Grennan
Hobo Band Parade, ca. 1926
from RS 39/2/20, Box 2, ACT-5

Parades are almost a given at any Homecoming celebration, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is no different.  However, in the early years of the 20th century, Illinois Homecoming weekend featured something other than floats:  the Hobo Band Parade. Continue reading “Homecoming History: Hobo Band Parade” →

JFK

Posted on by Rory Grennan
John F. Kennedy and Otto Kerner
Photo c1960 by C. F. Marley
Record Series 26/20/79, Box 1, Sleeve 10160

In honor of election season, here’s a photo of John F. Kennedy visiting downtown Springfield, IL on the presidential campaign trail in October 1960. The man beside him is Democratic Governor-to-be of Illinois Otto Kerner Jr., also campaigning that fall.

This was not Senator Kennedy’s first visit to central Illinois.  He was invited to speak at the University of Illinois Senior Convocation in Urbana on January 27, 1957, and gave an address entitled “Politics: Our Most Neglected Profession”.  Among other topics, he humorously touched upon his brief candidacy for the Vice-Presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago the year before:

I will not comment, on this wholly non-partisan occasion, on that race…except to note what must be a record of some sort.  When I got into the race, almost everyone favored my getting in; and when I got out, almost everyone favored my getting out — and all this in about four hours.1

1. “Politics: Our Most Neglected Profession”, John F. Kennedy, January 27, 1957, Record Series 39/1/5, University of Illinois Archives.

EDIT (6-21-2013): The original post erroneously identified the location of the photo as Champaign, IL.

Squirrels!

Posted on by Rory Grennan

 

Squirrel in tree, circa 1912
Found in University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana Photo-Gravures, ca. 1912
This image is in the public domain.

Love them or hate them, everyone knows that squirrels are a fixture on the UIUC campus, and especially on the Quad.  And why wouldn’ t they stick around, with all the friendly students throwing food their way?  What you may not know is how they came to campus in the first place.

Continue reading “Squirrels!” →