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

Physical Fitness Research Laboratory

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 28, 2023

1. Physical Fitness Research Laboratory Marker

Inscription. In 1944, Thomas K. Cureton became the director of the Physical Fitness Research Laboratory, one of the first of its kind in the nation. He developed methods to test motor and cardiovascular fitness and aquatic performance and to appraise the human physique. Cureton played a major role in the development of the fitness movement in America.

Erected by University of Illinois.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine • Sports. In addition, it is included in the University of Illinois series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.

Location. 40° 6.213′ N, 88° 13.985′ W. Marker is in Champaign, Illinois, in Champaign County. It is at the intersection of South 4th Street and East Gregory Drive, on the left when traveling south on South 4th Street. Marker is in front of George Huff Hall at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1206 S 4th St, Champaign IL 61820, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois.

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 walking distance of this marker: Culture on the Prairie (approx. 0.2 miles away); Alpha Phi Fraternity House-Beta Alpha Chapter (approx. 0.2 miles away); Architectural Education (approx. ¼ mile away);

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Illinois Historical Collections (approx. ¼ mile away); Creation of Research Library (approx. ¼ mile away); Public Broadcasting (approx. ¼ mile away); The Farm House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity House (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Champaign.

Also see . . . Illinois Innovators: Thomas Cureton Jr. Video about Thomas K. Cureton Jr., who taught at the University of Illinois from 1941 to 1969 and is known as the father of physical fitness. (MediaSpace Illinois, posted Aug. 11, 2015) (Submitted on June 8, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 28, 2023

2. Physical Fitness Research Laboratory Marker

Thomas K. Cureton, Jr. (1901-1992) image. Click for full size.

via University of Illinois (Public Domain)

3. Thomas K. Cureton, Jr. (1901-1992)

He also was a champion swimmer in college.

George Huff Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 28, 2023

4. George Huff Hall

The College of Applied Health Sciences is based here.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 717 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 8, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.