We’ve added 3 new albums to our digital collections. They feature the Illinois Central Railroad, African American Community leaders, and churches throughout Champaign County.
Illinois Central Railroad
The Illinois Central Railroad Company, incorporated in 1851, took advantage of an 1850 charter that allowed using public land for railroads. Its first railroad would run diagonally northwest with a branch to Chicago. In Champaign, a Power House was built on Wabash with barns for housing and repairing trains nearby, the freight house was located off Neil, the tower was put east of the freight house and along the Belt Line and the station was on University St. In Urbana, the depot was on Broadway with its powerhouse off Main.
African-American Community Leaders in Champaign County
Champaign County is a community rich in African American history. In this set, community leaders of the past are highlighted. Photographs of these individuals are accompanied by brief descriptions of their accomplishments throughout Champaign County.
Champaign County Churches
This album features photographs of Champaign County’s church buildings. Whether the structures were built to imitate Romanesque abbeys, Gothic cathedrals, or simply built as functional spaces for worship, the churches of Champaign County are some of the most eye catching structures in the community.