Think you know Champaign-Urbana? 

Try our trivia quiz. We feature a new trivia question in each edition of our Archives email newsletter, Local History & Genealogy News. Puzzle Answers

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Past Years: 2019 | 2020 | 2021

June 2022

Trivia Q: When did construction begin on the 2005 renovation of The Urbana Free Library?

Trivia A: According to an archived copy of This Month, the library program and event calendar, the groundbreaking ceremony was on October 20, 2002, and construction began November 6, 2002.

May 2022

Trivia Q: When was the Little Theatre in the Square's inaugural season?

Trivia A: The Little Theatre in the Square’s first season, called the “Summer of Musicals”, was in 1957. Guy Little produced nine musicals in as many weeks opening with Brigadoon and closing with Guys and Dolls.

April 2022

Trivia Q: How many townships are in Champaign County?

Trivia A: Champaign County is comprised of 30 townships!

March 2022

Trivia Q: The Morrow Plots are the oldest continual corn field in the world. When were they established at the University of Illinois?

Trivia A: The Morrow Plots were established in 1876, earning the designation as oldest continual corn field in the world.

February 2022

Trivia Q: R.W. Shoemaker moved to town in 1854. He was Champaign's (then called West Urbana) first of which profession? Hint: he wasn't a cobbler! The answer can be found in History of Champaign County, Illinois with Illustrations, from 1878 and the History of Champaign County by J.O. Cunningham.

Trivia A: Dr. R.W. Shoemaker was Champaign's first physician and taught at Champaign's first school house. When he would make house calls, his wife would take over in the classroom.

January 2022

Trivia Q: In the winter of 1854-1855, which Champaign County village was moved to be closer to the newly laid Great Western railroad line?

Trivia A: The entire village of Homer was moved 1.5 miles south to be closer to the newly laid Great Western railroad line.  The houses were placed on skids and moved to the new location during the winter of 54’-55’.