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
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…
Hallene Gateway, 1871
The Hallene Gateway was originally the entrance to University Hall, which was also known as New Main Hall or the New University Building. Built in 1872, University Hall was the the fourth building on…
Meadowbrook Park
Meadowbrook Park, at 130 acres, is the district's shining example of how long-range planning and acquisition of property for the longterm yield remarkable results over time. While many park sites in…
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Robert Allerton Park
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14 Locations ~ Curated by Arch101: Fall 2013ExploreCU
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