Illinois State University in Normal in McLean County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Illinois State Normal University
Illinois Centennial Tablet
| | December 3; 1818 1918 | |
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 21, 2025
1. The Illinois State Normal University Marker
The first state normal school to be established in the Mississippi Valley and the ninth to be founded in the United States this building, begun in 1857, is the oldest state normal school building now in use in the United States.
Erected 1918 by The Normal Township Centennial Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is February 18, 1857.
Location. 40° 30.591′ N, 88° 59.482′ W. Marker is in Normal, Illinois, in McLean County. It is in Illinois State University. It can be reached from College Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The marker is on the campus of Illinois State University, just north of the main quad. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: Old Main (here, next to this marker); Mennonite College of Nursing (within shouting distance of this marker); John F. Kennedy Memorial Clock (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Main Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); William Saunders (about
this page online
More about this marker. The plaque is at the bottom of a solid square memorial located on the north end of ISU's quad, marking the spot of Old Main, the campus's original building. Each of the four sides of this memorial features a relief with a view of the Old Main building from the corresponding angle. The other (north-facing) side of this memorial includes a separate plaque honoring Old Main, the school's original campus building.
Most likely this plaque was on or inside Old Main from 1918 until that building was torn down in 1958. Based on archival photos of ISU's campus, the square memorial where this plaque now sits was put up sometime soon after the building was torn down.
Regarding The Illinois State Normal University. Illinois State Normal University, a teacher training college, opened as the state's first public college in 1857. It was renamed Illinois State University at Normal in 1964; three years later it was further shortened to Illinois State University.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 21, 2025
2. The Illinois State Normal University Marker
The relief at the top depicts the front of the Old Main building, which stood at this site from 1857 until it was razed in 1958. Each of the four sides of the memorial includes a relief like this depicting the building from each particular angle.
This plaque honors the school itself as well as its original building, Old Main. Construction on that building began in 1857 and was completed by 1861. Amid deterioration, the building's famous tower and its top story were torn down in 1946; the building itself was finally demolished in 1958.
Also see . . .
1. ISU: The story of "Normal".
Excerpt: "Illinois Governor William H. Bissell signed the law creating Illinois State Normal University (ISNU) on February 18, 1857. The name was chosen because the school was established to prepare teachers and 'Normal' meant 'teaching.' Origins of the term go back to the French Revolution, with would-be teachers learning the standards, or 'norms,' of pedagogy. The name served the institution well for more than a century. In the aftermath of World War II, however, societal changes led to concerns from many that the name was too narrow for a school with a larger mission."(Submitted on June 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. A History of the Illinois State Normal University. This 1882 history of ISNU examines the school's first 25 years. The school was renamed in 1964. (Submitted on June 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 21, 2025
3. Old Main Marker
The marker is at the site of Old Main, which was torn down in 1958. The rear of the memorial features a different plaque about Old Main.
Haines Photo Co.; Courtesy of Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, circa 1914
4. Illinois State Normal University
ISNU's "Old Main" is at the center of this photo and is the site of the memorial today. On the left side is the castle-like Cook Hall, which was completed in 1897 and still stands today.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 243 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 24, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
