Interests at the depot, however, were not passive. Residents raised a storm of opposition, sending a representative one Mr. Pierce to Springfield by the slow mail stage, then making two trips a week, charged with the duty of strangling the infant city.
On January 18, it published a glowing report on the depot and the values of unification. Several tasty dwellings are in course of construction. Quite a change has taken place in that locality within one year. One year from this time it will contain a thousand inhabitants-our word for that. The act of incorporation, which we hope soon to get, which will unite the interests of the two points, will very much enhance the interests of both.
This charter, if adopted, will, we think, prove a great utility to the interests of our town. Order will come out of confusion. Narrowly focused self-interest, however, continued to playa significant role in the course of events. The love of the almighty dollar seems to reign supreme in the minds of our people to the exclusion of other and better things. In the same issue, the editor, while optimistic, nevertheless called upon his fellow citizens to do better.
He ended a commentary with a final plug for incorporation:. Let no one consider himself excused from the work of public improvement, for every man is interested. Incorporation … shall form a basis for improvements, and the work once commenced it will go on. The early optimism proved somewhat premature; the opposition was effective, and the depot was not included in the charter granted to Urbana by the legislature on February 14, Printed in its entirety by the UNION in its edition of March 29, the charter clearly describes the designated western boundary where Wright Street is today.
Four days later, the charter election was held in Urbana. We will take this opportunity of saying that we will wager our hat that these same men either want to keep a whisky shop, or let their pigs fatten in the street where they have always kept their wood piles. We presume they are good fellow, if they are not ex whiskey sellers, but we advise them not to let it get out how they voted.
During the same period, several town plats were recorded, including that of Farnham, Clark and White, either unnamed or designated as additions to Urbana. Then, on April 27, , White recorded a large, new plat immediately to the west of his earlier speculation. The railroad stood fast, continuing to list the station as Urbana for more than half a decade.
The position of the Illinois Central was that the station location was Urbana-and that was that. Meanwhile, on May 5, a committee composed of four prominent Urbana citizens divided the City into wards for the first municipal election. On June 2, , Archa Campbell became the first mayor. That same summer, a census taken in West Urbana showed a population of persons. While West Urbana failed to incorporate, civic activities were taking place. Urbana interests realized very early the importance of the railroad.
Thus, while certain citizens had successfully resisted moving the town, there seemed to be little dispute concerning the need for access to the upstart Depot.
This would cost but a trifle compared with the advantages to be derived from it; it would tend to do away with that jealousy which is now so apparent, and which is having a bad effect upon the interests of the whole place.
The article went on to say:. Much grander approaches were undertaken to connect Urbana with the outside world. The interest of our citizens demand it.
It was clear from the report that the degree of interest transcended mere talk. But like the Decatur, Monticello, Urbana and Danville, its time would be more than 15 years in the future. By , there was significant concern in Urbana that the new town, with the railroad, would overshadow the old. Thus in less than three years, it was Urbana, not the Depot that was on the defensive. The early fears of the new town had proven hasty and unfounded. The irrefutable evidence of this, should any have been needed, was the second census of West Urbana.
The population had mushroomed to 1, -of which were between the ages of four and 21 -all accommodated in homes. The first inventory of businesses indicated:. Today, restored with the help of the City of Champaign, the building stands on the northeast corner of University Avenue and First Street. It is the oldest surviving commercial structure in the twin-cities.
Cunningham later wrote:. While it appeared to be an uphill fight, Urbana interests were quick to utilize those devices at their disposal to keep the old town alive. Again, according to Cunningham:. The work of maintaining the position taken was hard and at times, very discouraging on the part of Urbana.
West Urbana grew like wildfire, until it was much bigger than Urbana. In they voted to make their town into a city, and to name it Champaign. This worried the people of Urbana. What if the city of Champaign tried to take over the county seat? Urbana, to assure that this would not happen, tore down its ten year old courthouse, and built another one so big and fancy they would be sure to keep the county seat!
Both cities grew, with a mile and a half of open land between them. Planks had been laid to make a road across the swampy land and a horse drawn streetcar took people back and forth between the cities. It began when a reverend from Champaign decided to build training school for ministers there. After finishing one huge five-story building, though, the Civil War interrupted their work, and the school was never finished. The huge building, which was nicknamed the Elephant, sat empty for a time, until another idea came along for its use.
The people of Champaign-Urbana learned that the state of Illinois was looking for a place to build the downstate branch of a college to teach agriculture. They decided that the area between the towns would be just right for a college.
The people elected Clark Griggs to the State Legislature, his main task to convince the government to select Champaign-Urbana as the site for this college. It was lucky when Mr. Griggs was named the head of the committee that selected the city for this branch! He was able to convince the committee to select Champaign-Urbana over the many other cities who wanted the college. The new college was called Illinois Industrial University, and it opened in with 77 students.
The University added many subjects to those it taught. It would later change its name to the University of Illinois and would grow to become one of the best universities in the nation. As the University grew, Champaign tried to extend its borders to claim all of the University as its own. The people of Urbana, of course, put a stop to it.
Both cities were having troubles of their own. They both battled big fires. Old wooden buildings burned down and were replaced with new brick ones. In the meantime, both cities added businesses. Urbana added a new railroad line and the Big Four Shops, where trains were repaired. Champaign built a library, and both cities began to enjoy electric power and water. All active university-owned buildings located inside the Campus Master Plan boundary.
Illinois Promise funds the estimated cost of tuition, fees, room, board, and books for low-income students. This content managed and updated by Public Affairs. Location The university is in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana total population , in east-central Illinois.
Campus Life Cultural Centers These centers offer the entire campus community opportunities to learn about and to experience the rich historic traditions and modern living cultures that shape our world. Students with physical disabilities who require personal assistant support services have an 87 percent graduation rate; nearly 60 percent obtain employment within a year of graduation, while another 32 percent enroll in graduate or professional schools International Programs and Studies Study abroad students in participated in more than programs and affiliations in more than 45 countries; ranked 20th in the nation among all public and private institutions in the United States for number of students earning credit from study abroad.
Administration Campus Administration Robert J.
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