This May marks the 100th anniversary of the former Chanute Air Force Base. The Champaign County Historical Archives is celebrating Chanute's history by hosting an exhibit and a Town & Gown event.

In 1967, Chanute observed another anniversary. Chanute’s 50th Anniversary kicked-off a summer of celebrations at the base. The festivities included: 

  • An Open House that 80,000 people were expected to attend, including the descendants of Octave Chanute who visited the base as distinguished guests.

Octave Chanute's descendants at community banquet, 1967

  • Local businesses offered specials and decorated their store fronts in honor of Chanute.

Storefront decorated for 50th anniversary, 1967

  • Special edition newspapers and booklets were published by the base and the town of Rantoul.

Commemorative Edition of the Rantoul Press and Chanute Field News, June 14, 1967

  • Chanute graduated its one-millionth student!

Visit our Flickr album to see more photographs and documents from Chanute’s Golden Anniversary.

- Liz, Archives Intern