Downtown History

Downtown Champaign began with the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad in the early 1850’s. Following the completion of that line, a small railroad town began to emerge 2 miles west of Urbana. This new town named West Urbana quickly began to grow from a mere railroad station to a thriving city center. By 1860, the new town decided to incorporate as the City of Champaign. By the turn of the century Downtown had a metropolitan feel. Wood frame buildings were replaced by stone and brick structures and the boarded sidewalks became limestone.

Main Street circa 1850

It wasn’t long before Champaign began to out pace it’s sister to the east and quickly established itself as the commercial center of the region.

By the turn of the century Champaign was booming. Streetcars soared down its streets and shoppers flocked to its department stores.

Downtown Champaign experienced its greatest growth and prosperity right after the turn of the 20th century.  By the 1920’s Downtown had a fully developed streetcar system, brick streeets, limestone sidewalks and a dense network of fine architecture.  By this time Champaign had started to outpace Urbana as the commercial center of the County.

More history to come….