Irvington in Washington County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Illinois Agricultural College

Photographed by Jason Voigt, March 4, 2020

1. Illinois Agricultural College Marker

Inscription. Illinois Agricultural College at Irvington was the first college in the state for instruction in scientific and practical agricultural methods. It was chartered by the Illinois General Assembly in 1861 and opened in 1866. The main buildings were southwest of here on 560 acres of farmland. Almost from its beginning, the school encountered financial difficulties. In 1878 title to the college and land was vested in the State of Illinois. The property was sold and the proceeds given to Southern Illinois Normal University. Irvington College and the Hudelson Baptist Orphanage, 1907-1936, later occupied the campus.

Erected 1975 by Washington County Historical Society and Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Education. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 38° 26.444′ N, 89° 9.659′ W. Marker is in Irvington, Illinois, in Washington County. It is at the intersection of Parkview Street and North 2nd Street, on the right when traveling

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west on Parkview Street. Marker is located at Irvington City Park, also known as Fortmeyer Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Irvington IL 62848, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Illinois — Little Egypt.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Third Principal Meridian (approx. 2½ miles away); Centralia Coal Company Mine No. 5 Disaster (approx. 4.4 miles away); Hoyleton (approx. 6 miles away); Village Fire Bell (approx. 6.1 miles away); Medal of Honor (approx. 8½ miles away); Veterans Tribute (approx. 8½ miles away); Legends live Forever (approx. 8.7 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 10.4 miles away).

Photographed by Jason Voigt, March 4, 2020

2. Illinois Agricultural College Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 5, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 473 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 5, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.