Illinois State University in Normal in McLean County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Smith Hall Fountain

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 21, 2025

1. Smith Hall Fountain Marker

Inscription. This fountain was part of the landscape for the first men's dormitory at Illinois State Normal University, Smith Hall. Located where the South Campus residence halls once stood, south of the Student Fitness Center, the three story wood framed home was first leased and then purchased from local Civil War veteran Colonel D.C. Smith. Smith Hall served as a home for hundreds of ISNU men from 1934 to 1959, including during World War II when the house also served as barracks for the Navy V-12 College Training Program stationed on campus. This fountain served as a focal point for Smith Hall's spacious gardens, providing quiet study and peaceful walks for Smith Hall's residents and guests.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • War, US Civil • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location. 40° 30.424′ N, 88° 59.572′ W. Marker is in Normal, Illinois, in McLean County. It is in Illinois State University. It is at the intersection of University Street and Hale Street, on the right when traveling north on University Street. The fountain

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and its accompanying marker are in front of the Office of Residential Life building on the campus of Illinois State University. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 South University Street, Normal IL 61761, 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: Illinois State University Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); World War I Memorial Stone (about 700 feet away); William Saunders (approx. 0.2 miles away); Illinois State Normal (approx. 0.2 miles away); Capital Stone from the Third McLean County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Main Bell (approx. 0.2 miles away); African Americans Settle in Normal (approx.

Smith Hall Fountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 21, 2025

2. Smith Hall Fountain

0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Normal.

Also see . . . Smith Hall. A 2015 article from Illinois State University recaps the history of Smith Hall, which was demolished in the 1950s.

Excerpt: "When World War II broke out, Smith Hall was used as residence for the enlisted sailors in the Navy’s V-12 program. After the war, Smith Hall was once again used as a male dormitory but only for a short period of time. The house was in need of major repairs and its location was the focus for a set of new campus dormitories, Atkins-Colby and Hamilton-Whitten. Smith Hall was demolished in 1959; the now decommissioned Feeney Dining Center sits approximately on the site of where Smith Hall once stood."

(Submitted on June 22, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Office of Residential Life image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 21, 2025

3. Office of Residential Life

The Smith Hall Fountain is to the left of the entrance.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 107 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 22, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.