Classroom

Because it was established in 1829, Illinois College's campus has a fascinating history. Its original campus buildings reflect IC's abolitionist heritage and its contributions to advancements in Illinois education. The more contemporary buildings on campus also possess a wealth of historical value. On this Illinois College tour, you will not only learn about the college's history, you will discover important elements of the state's history as well.

<b>Early IC History</b><br>Whipple hall, as you see it today, was built in 1882 for a cost of just $7,000. Whipple Hall, however, was not always Whipple Hall. It all started in 1869 when the Trustees of Illinois College thought that there was a need for a preparatory school for upcoming students&nbsp;that were planning on attending Illinois College, but were not quite ready for college yet. The first Whipple Academy was built on the Jacksonville square. This was funded by a man named Dr. Samuel L. Whipple, who donated $10,000 to the Whipple Academy project. This man is from whom Whipple Hall earned it's name, as you probably guessed.<br><br>Inside of Whipple Hall you will find some interesting things, such as the congressional hall of fame, and the Paul Findley museum. The congressional hall of fame is a tradition within Illinois College where they will hang a picture up of any student that ever attended the college who became a US senator or representative. The Paul Findley museum is a section of the building that has been dedicated ti Paul Findley, a former congressmen and graduate of Illinois college. Within the museum there are various items from Findley's history and life. However perhaps the most interesting one is a couch made from horse that is believed to have originally belonged to Abraham Lincoln himself.<br><br><b>IC Ghost Stories</b><span><p>Whipple Hall&nbsp; serves as a meeting place for the Alpha Phi Omega and Pi Pi Rho literary societies. It was during a Pi Pi Rho event that a ghostly encounter supposedly occurred. A woman withdrew from the event to find a personal&nbsp;item on the Alpha Phi Omega floor, which is in the upper part of the hall. As she ascended the stairs, she noticed a man dressed completely in grey waiting in the middle section of the staircase. Upon closer examination, the woman noticed his face was missing, and this specter became known as the “Gray Ghost” across campus (Taylor and Horton).</p><div><br></div></span>

Whipple Hall was built in 1882, and is named after Dr. Samuel L. Whipple. Whipple hall was originally called Whipple academy, and was used as a prep school for students wishing to attend Illinois College.

Whipple Hall

<p><b>Early IC History</b><br></p><p>Crampton hall is named after Rufus C. Crampton. He was born in Farmington, Connecticut in 1828. He taught in his native town for one year after graduation from Yale College in 1851. In 1854 he accepted an appointment with Illinois College and became a professor of Mathematics and Astronomy.&nbsp; In the 1880s Illinois College suffered finacial hardships.&nbsp; Crampton was able to secure funding to keep the college running.&nbsp; He continued to do excellent service at Illinois College until he was overcome by sickness.&nbsp; In 1870 he assumed the financial management of Illinois College. He was the acting president of IC from 1877-1881.&nbsp; He passed away in Jacksonville on June 13th, 1888 at the age of 60 (Hochstadt, 2016).&nbsp;</p><span><p>Crampton's earliest residents included 1881 graduate William Jennings Bryan, a three time presidential candidate. Crampton hall has supplied space for science labs as well as a small gymnasium. Since Illinois College was first for men, it used to be an all male dorm.&nbsp; The first women were included in the 1940’s.&nbsp;</p><p>Construction on Crampton Hall began in 1873 and was completed in 1874. It was most recently renovated in 2011 by River City Design Group. It is a 3 story building consisting of 10,400 square feet ("Illinois College- Crampton Hall&nbsp;Renovation"). The foundation and walls consists of brick and the roof is asphalt shingles. It offers traditional-style living for 47 students.&nbsp; Exterior entry stairs have been restored and security and weather vestibules have also been added to each entry.&nbsp; The historic stairs were rebuilt in conformance with the Americans with Disability Act and were maintained in their historic location.&nbsp; Crampton Hall was the oldest building in continuous use as a college residence hall in the state of Illinois ("Crampton Hall").&nbsp; It is no longer being used for permanent residence as of the 2017-2018 school year.&nbsp;</p><p><b>IC Ghost Stories</b></p><p></p><p>Crampton Hall has seen many students pass through its rooms within its 144 years of existence. Some of these students have reported strange events that occurred while they were living in the building. One account claims a man was found after a party who appeared to have hanged himself, but the way in which he was hanged hinted that he could not have done it on his own. However, there is no official documentation of such an event. In another story, a student awoke one night to find a man staring in his direction. Moments later, the man disappeared after walking through the student’s closet (Taylor and Horton). </p></span>

Crampton Hall is located on the Illinois College campus. It is one the oldest dormitory building in Illinois. Construction began in 1873 and was finished in 1874. It was named for Rufus Crampton, a professor and acting president from 1877-1881. The building had been in use since its construction, except in 2011 when the building was renovated, until the 2017-2018 academic year. 



Crampton Hall

<span><p><b>Early IC History</b><br></p><p>Illinois College is comprised of buildings that have the ability to provide a window into the past. One of these buildings is Sturtevant Hall. The foundation of Sturtevant Hall began Julian Sturtevant. </p><p>Julian Sturtevant was born on July 27, 1805 in Northwestern Connecticut. In 1817, Sturtevant and his family traveled to Ohio where they had purchased land. Sturtevant was a moral man who came from an educated background in ministry. His parents raised him in a very religious setting, trying to impress upon him the importance of keeping his Christian faith as the foremost importance in his life. Sturtevant took his parent’s wishes to heart and was ordained a minister in 1829. Shortly after, his ministry career lead him west, to Jacksonville, Illinois. Sturtevant became one of the founders of Illinois College. He had strong belief in creating a moral and religious academic site for higher education. Sturtevant went on to become the first professor of Illinois College. Over the years, he taught math, physics, astronomy, mental and political sciences. He was also the instructor of senior studies. Sturtevant was passionate about teaching and creating the excitement to learn amongst his students. Sturtevant said it was his wish to “inspire them [students] with the love of knowledge” (Yeager, 1999). He poured his life and soul into teaching at Illinois College. Julian Sturtevant became Illinois College’s second president. He was inaugurated as president in June of 1845. Julian Sturtevant provides the structure and foundation for the historical building we have today.</p><p>Sturtevant Hall is an iconic building on Illinois College’s campus and is filled with history from the past to the present. Plans to construct a new building on campus began in 1854. The building was officially finished and opened in September of 1857.&nbsp; Sturtevant said “It proves all we hoped or expected. It is, indeed, a new era in our history.". &nbsp;He states that the college is now “standing on a foundation upon which the rains have descended and the floods come without being able to shake it” (Yeager, 1999). The new college building would house many different areas of study, including, Greek and Latin, rhetoric, mathematics, natural philosophy and eventually house the department of chemistry. In 1852, the building suffered a great tragedy. It was gutted as a result of a fire. According to Sturtevant’s autobiography, the only thing relatively unharmed in the fire was the south wing where Sturtevant and his family had resided for 20 years (Sturtevant). All that was left were ashes. The interior of the building was unable to be saved, but the exterior still had remained quite intact.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The restoration of the building resulted in a very similar outside view but a much more modern interior ( “Illinois Restores Sturtevant Hall”). &nbsp;In 1888 the building was officially named Sturtevant Hall and dedicated to Julian Sturtevant. Sturtevant dedicated his life to Illinois College and as a small token of appreciation, the school gave their great building his name. </p><p> Today, Sturtevant Hall has provided a base by representing the long lasting traditions of excellence and becoming a symbol IC. Illinois College stresses many of the same things Julian Sturtevant found important, one of which is a Liberal Arts education. Sturtevant thought that educating his students in many different subject areas would result in accomplished and well rounded individuals.&nbsp; The building is a focal point in the college’s campus.&nbsp; Greg Olson says in a recent article in the Jacksonville Journal Courier, “The soft brick exterior walls of the… building are like the well-worn pages of the history of IC” (2016). It has become a tradition that seniors sketch their name onto a brick of Sturtevant Hall to hold a place at IC forever. The windows of Sturtevant Hall have become one of IC’s greatest treasures. In every letter the college sends, they represent the importance of the building as our logo for the college.&nbsp; The building has suffered great hardships, similarly, Sturtevant had rough times, and the college as a whole has had many lows since its establishment. </p><p>The building is a reminder of the strong groundwork Illinois College has. Just as Sturtevant was the foundation for the building, the building is a foundation for the college.&nbsp;</p><p><b>IC Ghost Stories</b><br></p><p>The Pi Pi Rho Literary Society met in Sturtevant Hall prior to its conversion into classrooms. Multiple members have said that they have seen a man dressed in a Civil War military uniform roaming the halls at night. Many strange sounds have been heard in the north tower of the building, which is why no one has attempted to sleep in that section of the hall, although many students have been dared to (Taylor and Horton).</p><p><br></p><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></span>

Sturtevant Hall is located on Illinois College's Campus. It is one of the oldest buildings on the campus, finished in 1857. Sturtevant Hall has contributed to the history of the campus over many years.  It was named after Julian Sturtevant. The building has suffered many hardships over the years, including a fire, and has been a shelter for many different education fields and groups. 

Sturtevant Hall 

<div><b>Early IC History</b><br>Plans for the construction of Beecher Hall began in 1829, and it became known as the state’s first college campus building when it was completed in 1830. The building was named to honor Edward Beecher, the first president of Illinois College and an anti-slavery activist. Beecher was a member of a notable abolitionist family, and his sister, Harriet Beecher Stowe, penned the popular anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin (“Beecher Hall”). Edward Beecher travelled to Jacksonville, Illinois after earning a degree from Yale and leaving a pastoral position at a church in Boston.Beecher and other Illinois College faculty members established an anti-slavery sentiment throughout the college campus, despite the varied beliefs of the Jacksonville community during this time period. In 1837, Edward Beecher assisted Elijah Lovejoy, an abolitionist printer, with the establishment of the Illinois Anti-Slavery Society (Rammelkamp, 109). When Lovejoy was shot and killed by pro-slavery supporters in Alton, Illinois, Illinois College students and faculty upheld their anti-slavery beliefs, even though the college’s “radical” views caused funding and enrollment cuts. Students often expressed their anti-slavery views in the classrooms of Beecher Hall, and some even went as far as to assist slaves on their journeys to freedom. Because of their actions, the National Parks Service recognized Beecher Hall as an official Underground Railroad site (“Beecher Hall”).</div><div><br></div><div>The first medical school in Illinois was housed in Beecher Hall from 1843-1848. Although it was rather successful, there is no definite proof as to why the medical school closed in 1848. Some say medical students obtained cadavers from the local hospital, which caused great controversy. Others speculate instructors were not satisfied with their compensation for leaving their private practices (Rammelkamp, 100). Beecher Hall has also served as a dormitory, library, and meeting place for college organizations. It is still used by the Sigma Pi and Phi Alpha literary societies today, which were founded back in 1836. Lincoln came to deliver many a speech there, as he was an honorary member of the society, thanks to his association with Dr. William Jayne, one of the founders of the society, and Julian Sturtevant, the president of the college at the time.</div><div><br></div><div><b>IC Ghost Stories</b></div><div>Members of the Sigma Pi and Phi Alpha literary societies have reported hearing peculiar footsteps on the upper floor of Beecher Hall. Literary society members claim that a person can hear footsteps from the adjacent room, even if one follows the sound to another room. Many students believe the footsteps are created by the “ghost” of William Jennings Bryan, a great speaker and politician who was a member of Sigma Pi at IC. However, another account claims the body cadavers used by the medical school were stored in the attic of the building, which could possibly be the cause of the phantom footsteps (Taylor and Horton)</div>

Beecher Hall is a building of firsts for Illinois. It was the state's first college campus building, and it housed the original medical school in Illinois. Beecher Hall also represents Illinois College's anti-slavery roots. 

Beecher Hall

<div><b>Contemporary IC History</b><br>The C. Reed Parker building was completed and officially opened for use in January of 2002. It was dedicated in May of 2002, at the end of the school year. The total cost of the new building cost an estimated $11.8 million dollars and even went under budget, all while including new, state-of-the-art labs and equipment.<br>The building replaced an outdated tennis court that was not useful to the campus anymore. It also replaces the building that once held a dining hall and dormitories. This building originally housed Edward Beecher, the 1st president of the College, and his family. This building stood from 1832-1854 as both the North and South wings were later destroyed by a fire two years apart.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div>With the opening of the brand new building, it gave the science and math departments their own space, as they were in Crispin Hall and Kirby Learning Center beforehand. Each section holds its own uniqueness as the building is two stories high and a boomerang shape. There are sections for the biology department, chemistry department, physics department, and mathematics department.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div>The building was named after a man named Curtis Reed Parker. Parker was a Board of Trustees chair member for nearly 40 years, where he was Head for nearly 20 of those, and he was also a very generous benefactor to the College. It was dedicated to him in honor of how much he has dedicated to the College through the years.</div><div>While the building is still fairly new, it still shows the historic aesthetic of Illinois College. It was laid with bricks as all the older buildings on campus began with bricks, so naturally the building wanted to keep the historic value. It also serves as a place of research where new history can be made with discovery through the students it holds.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div>

The C. Reed Parker Science Building, or Parker for short, was completed in 2002. The goal of the building is to create an interactive environment with spaces to allow hands-on learning. The building has a brick outer layer to follow other campus architecture. This building replaced an old, outdated tennis court and gave the science and math department it's own, brand new building. 

An updated view of the front side of the building from 2017.

C. Reed Parker Science Building

<b>Contemporary IC History</b><br>"Illinois College will have one of the most impressive athletic facilities we've ever designed"&nbsp;says Project Manager Don Keane of Hastings and Chivetta Archetects. Until 2003, Illinois College's athletics were originally&nbsp;housed in an old "1950s facility that didn't have a whole lot of windows and a design common when there were no women's teams." Before Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center,&nbsp; this Memorial Gymnasium housed all athletic events. Memorial Gymnasium was built in 1951 and did receive an annex decades after it's construction. However, this gymnasium was not fulfilling the needs of the college, as a growing number of students were participating in varsity athletics, intramural athletics and fitness activities. Memorial Gymnasium did not even accommodate for women's athletics. Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center was a much needed renovation.<br><br>Throughout the construction of Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center, Hastings and Chivetta attempted to preserve the unique architecture that stood before the elaborate complex. "T<span>he final design enveloped the existing football bleachers and press box and produced a raised spectator platform now buzzing with banners and barbecues during home football games." With limited space to work, the construction company managed to strategically squeeze the facility between the original football and baseball stadiums. Although this facility is rather new, Illinois College's history is still preserved within Bruner Center.<br><br>Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center offers many amenities to all students at Illinois College. This three-level structure&nbsp;includes 1,600 seat Sherman Gymnasium, "</span>a field house with three multipurpose courts inside a 200-meter track, an eight-lane competition pool accompanied by a sauna, a steam room and 30-seat hot tub, two racquetball courts, a multipurpose room, and a weight and cardiovascular fitness center." This facility also includes office cubicles, classrooms, a concession stand, a dining bar overlooking the football field, a training room, and a wellness center.<span><br><br><br></span><br>

Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center is the athletic facility at Illinois College that was built in 2003. This facility houses many amenities that the college was not offered previously, including but not limited to locker rooms for women's teams and racquetball courts. This facility replaced Memorial Gymnasium which was built in 1951. 

This image shows the east-facing side of Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center

Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center

<b>Contemporary IC History</b><br>From 1830 to 1897, Illinois College's library consisted of a small area of the second floor of Beecher Hall. By 1880, the library was comparable to that of the University of Illinois with 11,000 books. Although this library was rather large at the time, it kept growing and would need a bigger facility. The library was then moved to Jones Memorial Hall in 1879 and later to Tanner Hall in 1930. After 46 years in Tanner Hall, and reaching a book count of about 80,000, there was minimal room left for new additions to this library. After many s<small></small>urveys, the faculty and students decided a new library was the greatest priority of the college in 1970.<br><br>In order to carry out this idea of a new library, the college needed money. Between alumni, friends, faculty, alumni, trustees, corporations, foundations, and a federal grant of $416,000, Illinois College had enough money to carry out their plans for Schewe Library. This two-storied structure began construction in 1972 and was completed in March of 1976. Today, the library contains extra, technological amenities such as dry erase writing stations and computer television monitors.<br><br>Schewe Library was named after generous sponsors, Karl and Louise Schewe. Karl Schewe has been a member of the New York Stock Exchange, the Midwest Stock Exchange, and the Chicago Board of Trade. Louise was active in the real estate business in Chicago.<br><br>Within Schewe Library, buried in the back corner of Schewe's bottom floor is Illinois College's archives. This, although a relatively new addition, houses some historical information on the college that predates the founding in 1829. The Khalaf Al Habtoor archives are named after Dr. Khalaf Al Habtoor himself, after receiving an extremely generous donation of $600,000 to help construct the archives. The archives were a desperately needed resource on campus to&nbsp;&nbsp;house the colleges old documents and artifacts. A few of these eye catching relics, for example are Edward Beecher's old trunk believed to have been carried by the college's first president himself. Also protected within is a 19th century painting of Monticello, Illinois. The interesting part about this painting is that the canvas for this painting is human hair. There are also a few old books from the 1840s when the college had a medical school on campus. That was short lived however and was discontinued for unclear reasons.&nbsp;<br><br>

Schewe Library is a crucial aspect of Illinois College's campus. Opened in 1976, Schewe Library was the answer to the overcrowding problem of the previous library at Illinois College. The two-story structure houses the original books, new additions, and even the Khalaf Al Habtoor Archives, which preserves the history of the college and is open to students for research.

Schewe Library

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<b>Contemporary IC History</b><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Rammelkamp Chapel

<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In the
Spring of 1961, Illinois College laid down the cornerstone for the new chapel
that would be built on the historic campus. Rammelkamp chapel is located on the
upper quad on campus, along Park street. </p>

<p>At the time the chapel was being built
the President of the college was Vernon Caine, the college’s tenth President,
serving from 1956-1973. Even though the chapel looks the same as it did in
1961, it was remodeled in 1979 to keep up to date. &nbsp;Rammelkamp chapel is still in uses today for
various reasons. Most of the campus-wide gatherings are held in Rammelkamp
chapel, like the opening ceremony for the school year. Rammelkamp chapel has chapel
services for many different denominations including, Catholic, Methodist, and
Presbyterian. Convocation events are also held in Rammelkamp Chapel, Concerts,
ceremonies. Sometimes there are even weddings in the chapel, with the first
marriage being in April of 1962, with the couple both allium of Illinois
College. Students have classes or keyboard lab for music in the basement of
Rammelkamp. Similarly, Rammelkamp chapel also serves as the office of the
college chaplain. Within the chapel the college owns a Hurt Sesquicentennial
Organ, which is located in the front on the stage. The board members of
Illinois College decided that the organ should be in front so all could see
where the beautiful noise was coming from. In Rammelkamp chapel, Illinois
College proudly has banners hanging from the wall, stating all of the majors
that college offers to their students. When Rammelkamp chapel is filled to its
max it holds 800 people, in it benches that originally belonging to a nearby
theater. President Caine and his wife’s went to this theater regularly to watch
plays. &nbsp;In 1962, the new chapel was
dedicated to the college’s sixth President Charles H. Rammelkamp. </p>

<p>Rammelkamp joined the faculty of Illinois
College in 1902. At Illinois College he served as the professor of political
science and history. Three years later he became President of the college in
1905. He oversaw Illinois College from 1905 to 1932, when the beloved President
of the college passed away. President Caine decided that the chapel would honor
the late president Charles H. Rammelkamp. The dedication process happened fast since
Rammelkamp’s wife wanted to be present for the dedication of the chapel
honoring her husband. At the service, many members of the Rammelkamp family was
present. The main speaker was Dr. Hoskin, which Rammelkamp wife picked for the
doctor to speak. </p>

<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As stated
before, Rammelkamp Chapel was built on the historic campus of Illinois College
which was founded in 1829, being the first college in Illinois to hold classes.
Many of the building that are founded on the campus are the same ones that past
students studied in, even the first building that was built in 1829, known as
Beecher Hall. Also the historical campus had many connections with the
sixteenth President Abraham Lincoln. A major thing at Illinois College, is that
the college wants their students to make connections to as many people as
possible. By doing this the students get the best education from the small
liberal arts college that Illinois College proudly is. &nbsp;Also with it being a small college the
students say they feel at home and that they are a part of a community at
Illinois College. Illinois College is perfectly placed in the historic town of
Jacksonville, because who knows if another town would cherish all the history
that the school offers. The town of Jacksonville loves their history that
surrounds the town, which you can easily tell if you come for a visit.&nbsp; </p>

<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The campus
is also known as the hilltop which is located in Jacksonville, Illinois, which
is only 30 miles away from Springfield, Illinois. The campus was founded in
1829, only a couple years after the town of Jacksonville was established. To
learn more about the Illinois College visit, ic.edu. To make a campus visit to
see the beautiful, historic campus, especially Rammelkamp chapel, contact the
Admission office at 217.245.3030. The office is open Monday through Friday from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more about Jacksonville contact, 217.243.5678.</p><p>IC GHOST STORIES</p><p>The basement of Rammelkamp Chapel has been converted into classrooms, and reports say doors forcefully swing open and slam shut on their own accord. These strange occurrences often interrupted class sessions. Because of the basement’s layout, one can peer into classrooms that are across the hall. During a lecture, one student saw movement out of the corner of her eye, and she turned to see a woman dressed entirely in white occupying the classroom across from her own. The student was so startled by the experience because she witnessed the woman slowly dematerialize into nothing (Taylor and Horton).</p><p><br></p>

The Rammelkamp Chapel was named after the 6th president of Illinois College, Charles H. Rammelkamp. It serves as a meeting area for many events and organizations on the campus. The building was first built in 1961 and later remodeled in 1979. 

Outside view from the upper Quad on campus. 

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Historical Illinois College Campus Tour

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