"Altgeld's castles" are buildings in the Gothic Revival style in five Illinois universities, all built at the initiative or inspiration of Illinois Governor John Peter Altgeld
"Altgeld's castles" are buildings in the Gothic Revival style in five Illinois universities, all built at the initiative or inspiration of Illinois Governor John Peter Altgeld. During his term as governor, Altgeld expressed certain opinions on how buildings should be erected in the state of Illinois. In his second biennial message to the state legislature, he discussed how buildings were being constructed without consideration for their outward appearance. He stated that it was time for buildings to become more aesthetically pleasing in addition to being functional, and he suggested the "Tudor-Gothic style" as the most inexpensive way to do this. Consequently, several of the state universities in Illinois erected buildings which resembled castles in his honor. College folklore states that these buildings have aligned corridors and rooms so that they could all be “put together” to create one large building, but there is no evidence to support this rumor.
Southern Illinois University (SIU or SIUC) is a public research university in Carbondale, Illinois. Founded in 1869, SIU is the oldest and flagship campus of the Southern Illinois University system. The university enrolls students from all 50 states as well as more than 100 countries. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". SIU offers 3 associate, 100 bachelor's, 73 master's, and 36 Ph.D programs in addition to professional degrees in architecture, law, and medicine.
Altgeld Hall, built in 1896 at the cost of $40,000, is the oldest surviving building on the SIU campus. It originally housed the library and laboratories for the departments of physics, chemistry and biological science, and a gymnasium. Following a major remodeling project in 1958, Altgeld became the home to the School of Music, like at ISU. From 2002 until 2004, the building underwent a massive renovation, to preserve the building from the weather damage it had received.
Altgeld Hall on the campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, originally known as "Southern Illinois State Normal University", is the oldest currently occupied structure on the campus. Originally erected in 1896 during the term of Illinois Governor John Peter Altgeld and Southern Illinois State Normal University President Harvey William Everest, it housed the university library and laboratories for the departments of physics, chemistry and biological science, as well as a gymnasium.
Free
University park
- The building is used by a university
- Interior is closed for visitors