Recent Stories
Silvercreek
Drive or catch the bus to downtown Urbana for another local staple. Silvercreek, owned by Courier Café’s Allen Strong, is in their 27th year of business. Located just a short walk away from downtown, the Silvercreek building sits above the winding…
The Ribeye
Out on South Neil Street sits The Ribeye, “The Great One Steak Place” as it is known to those who dine there, opened their doors in February 1979. They made their home in the relatively young building (built in 1970) that used to be Ireland's, an…
The Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant
Walking near the heart of campus puts visitors, students, faculty and staff alike near plenty of great places to eat, hang out, and have a good time. Tucked away on the corner of Oregon and St. Mathews sits Red Herring, a restaurant that has a long…
Radio Maria
If you have ever visited downtown Champaign, you probably noticed that most shops are packed tightly together, some with no spaces between them, while others have the smallest of alleyways. Radio Maria sits snugly on the corner of Walnut and Taylor.…
Papa Del's Pizza Factory
Upon entering this nearly 100-year-old building, you take in the sights and smells of Papa Del’s Pizza Factory. The walls are painted a cheesy-yellow mixed with deep tomato red, creating the perfect mixture of color. The metal fireplace holding…
Jarling's Custard Cup
Jarling’s Custard Cup got its start in 1949 in Danville, Illinois. They began as a small town ice cream parlor, selling the custard recipe that George Potter, the original owner, created. In 1983, Doug and Christy Jarling opened the Champaign…
Featured Stories
Memorial Stadium
In February 1919, a special committee was appointed by the University War Committee to “undertake a preliminary consideration of a permanent memorial at the University of Illinois” to commemorate the…
Woodlawn Cemetery
Woodlawn Cemetery, located along the northern edge of Urbana, was established in 1907. The first documented burial on the land dates back to the burial of Isham Cook in 1830 [1]. The land and…
Campus Squirrels
Though it may be hard to believe, squirrels weren't always as prevalent on campus as they are today. In fact, in 1901, squirrels were in such scarcity that the university payed $250, which is about…
Take a Tour
Public Art at the University of Illinois
51 Locations ~ Curated by ExploreCU TeamArch101: Campus Architecture
26 Locations ~ Curated by Arch101: Fall 2013Railways and Electric Transit
5 Locations ~ Curated by ExploreCU TeamLandmarks and Lore: a Snapshot of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
15 Locations ~ Curated by Explore CU staffHistoric Downtown Champaign
18 Locations ~ Curated by T.J. Blakeman and Monique LassereExploreCU
A project by University Library, University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignExploreCU is a free web and mobile platform about the arts, culture, and history of Champaign-Urbana and its surrounding area. Developed by the University Library at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, ExploreCU puts the people, places, and events that have shaped this region's history at your fingertips. Learn about Champaign-Urbana through layered, map-based, multimedia presentations, use social media to share stories, and experience informative tours of Champaign county. Read more About Us