The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Whipple Hall

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Whipple Hall (front facade), Illinois College

Whipple Hall (rear view), Illinois College

Institution Name: Illinois College
Original/Historic Place Name: Whipple Hall
Location on Campus: 1161 W. College Ave.
Date(s) of Construction:

1882	original construction

Designer: unknown
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Gothic revival, Victorian (Glossary)
Significance: architecture, culture, education, history
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: brick

Walls: brick

Roof: asphalt shingles

Function:

ca. 1882	other (Whipple Preparatory Academy)
ca. 2004-present (2006)	other (houses Pi Pi Rho Literary Society)
ca. 2004-present (2006)	Greek letter society (Alpha Phi Omega national service fraternity)

Narrative:
Samuel Whipple, a native New Englander who settled in Illinois during the 19th century, provided $10,000 to establish the Whipple Preparatory Academy in 1869. The original building was located in Jacksonville's downtown square. Dr. Whipple was a prominent abolitionist who reportedly assisted freedom-seeking slaves who traveled the Underground Railroad. The preparatory academy was relocated to the Illinois College campus in 1882 when Whipple Hall was constructed. The structure was used primarily for classrooms and faculty offices for much of the following century. It also housed a physics laboratory for a brief time. Today, Whipple Hall houses the Pi Pi Rho Literary Society and Alpha Phi Omega national service fraternity.

References:

Caine, L. Vernon. To Heights Beyond. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 1986.

Frank, Charles E. Pioneer's Progress: Illinois College, 1829-1979. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 1979.

Hopper, Doris Broehl. David A. Smith: Abolitionist, Patron of Learning, Prairie Lawyer. Jacksonville, IL: Branstiter Printing Company, 2003

Rammelkamp, Charles H. Illinois College, a Centennial History: 1829-1929. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1928.

Yeager, Iver F. Julian M. Sturtevant--1805-1886: President of Illinois College, Ardent Churchman, Reflective Author. Jacksonville, IL: Trustees of Illinois College, 1999.

Yeager, Iver F., ed. Sesquicentennial Papers--Illinois College. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 1982.