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Things to Do in Champaign, Illinois: A Ten Week Series, Week 8- Tour the University of Illinois

By
Real Estate Agent with Beringer Realty

University of IllinoisThings to Do in Champaign, Illinois: A Ten Week Series, Week 8- Tour the University of Illinois

If you've ever set foot in Champaign-Urbana, chances are that you were on the University of Illinois campus at some point. It's kinda hard to miss.

But have you ever taken the time to learn about its history, tour the buildings, and visit the libraries and museums? If not, I suggest that you do! You might be surprised by what you discover...

For instance, did you know that during the construction of Memorial Stadium in the early half of the 1900s, a rainy season caused a bulldozer to sink into the football field? Apparently, it's still there.

Here's a fun fact: the undergraduate library was built two stories underground. Why? So that the building wouldn't cast a shadow on Morrow Plots, the oldest experimental corn field in the Western Hemisphere.

I could keep going, of course, but I don't want to give too much away! Anyone can take a guided tour of the campus, or you can make your own tour! A good place to start would be the Illini Union, and you'll certainly want to see the Quad and the Observatory built in 1896, you might enjoy checking out the Sousa Archives or the Spurlock Museum, perhaps the Arboretum and maybe end with dessert at the Krannert Center. Oh, the possibilities!

The University of Illinois website will have everything you need to start your journey!

Here's my complete list of Things to Do in Champaign. Check back next week for number 9!

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Shannon Lewis is a Realtor® and broker at Beringer Realty located in Urbana, Illinois. She and her partner, Debbie Hensleigh, help home buyers and sellers in Urbana, Champaign, Savoy, and many other surrounding communities.

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To contact Shannon with a question, for real estate assistance, or just to say "hey!":

call 217-552-8059, or email Shannon@HomeplaceAdvisors.com

Comments (4)

Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

I was amazed to learn about the bulldozer that sank.  Incredible that it is still there today  LOL.  Sounds like this is an interesting tour.

Aug 07, 2010 03:23 PM
Shannon Lewis
Beringer Realty - Champaign, IL
Realtor, Broker - Champaign-Urbana, IL

A university nearing 150 years old is bound to have lots of stories...but the bulldozer is a pretty crazy one! Haha! If you're ever in Illinois, Joan, let me know and I'll give you the tour myself:-)

Aug 07, 2010 03:32 PM
Jeremy Lamb
Champaign, IL
Champaign-Urbana, IL

The Steam tunnels are my favorite....you ought to check them out if you haven't!

 

 

Aug 08, 2010 07:16 AM
Shannon Lewis
Beringer Realty - Champaign, IL
Realtor, Broker - Champaign-Urbana, IL

Jeremy, I'm not sure I'd want to go down into the steam tunnels. I'm a bit of a fraidy cat when it comes to dark, enclosed places. BUT I did find this video in case anyone else would like to check out those steam tunnels the fraidy cat safe way:-) Enjoy... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9-eL2_d0Mw

Aug 08, 2010 11:45 AM