If you’ve ever done historical research at your local library or archives, you’ve probably heard of Sanborn Fire Insurance maps. But what are they exactly, and what type of historical information do they contain? Read more about Mapping America: The History of Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

E.N. Kirby Dairy was owned by Eugene N. Kirby. He was born in Edwardsville, IL in 1871. By the late 1890s, according to the city directories, he was working for Charles A. Haines a dairyman in Champaign. In 1903, Kirby married Haines’ daughter Carrie Amelia Haines, and eventually opened a diary under his own name. Both the Haines farm and the Kirby residence were on the border of sections 13 and 24 in Champaign Township the current location of Kirby Avenue by Hessel Park. Read more about What a Picture Can Tell You…

Champaign County is home to many historic theaters. From vaudeville venues to movie theaters, theater entertainment has deep roots in the culture of Champaign County. Read more about Historic Theaters of Champaign County

Who doesn't love getting a postcard in the mail?  Read more about Postcards from Champaign County

Shown above is Private Harold Osborne attempting his graduation jump for completing parachute training in 1931 at Chanute Field. Unfortunately, Osborne’s parachute caught in the tail assembly of the plane during the jump. The pilot, Lieutenant Charles H. Deerwester, was forced to circle above Rantoul for over an hour as Osborne hung by the cords of his trapped parachute. Read more about Chanute’s Great Parachute Rescue

The Children’s Theatre, Inc. (CTI) of Champaign-Urbana was established in 1938 as a community group to support children’s theatre and education in the arts. Read more about Children's Theatre, Inc. of Champaign-Urbana

1977,1978 and 1979 were particularly snowy years in Champaign County.

1977 got off to a cold and snowy start. Throughout the month of January, record low temperatures closed schools across the county, and ice and snow drifts made many country roads impassable. By months end, fuel reserves throughout the state were depleted, prompting many to worry about remaining warm (Courier, January 27, 1977).  Read more about The Snowiest Time of the Year

To all the young at heart, I have a secret for you, published in the Champaign County Genealogical Society’s Quarterly is the identity of Santa Claus… Read more about Urbana’s First Santa and The Urbana Free Library

The Chanute Collection includes photographs of Chanuters finding creative ways to survive the snowy winters while stationed in Rantoul.

                                      Read more about Snow Days at Chanute