Location Urbana, Illinois NRHP Reference # 68000024 Opened 1876 Phone +1 217-333-3420 | Built 1876 Designated NHL May 23, 1968 Area 5,261 m² Added to NRHP 23 May 1968 | |
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Address Institute of Aviation at Parkland College, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1102 S Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL 61801, USA Similar McFarland Carillon, Kenney Gym and Kenney G, Natural History Building, Chemical Laboratory, Tina Weedon Smith Me | ||
Morrow plots the other guys
The Morrow Plots is an experimental corn field at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Named for Professor George E. Morrow, it is the oldest such field in the United States and the second oldest in the world. It was established in 1876 as the first experimental corn field at an American college and continues to be used today, although with three plots instead of the original ten.
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The results of the experiments which were carried out at the Morrow Plots showed that "soil quality is a vital component of agricultural productivity", and that the "use of science and technology ... increased crop productivity over four-fold."
The site was designated a National Historic Landmark on May 23, 1968.
It is popularly believed that the University constructed its Undergraduate Library to the west of the Plots with three stories underground, so that the library would not block the sun from the Morrow Plots. However, the University master plan at the time called for a large open plaza on that end of campus, which was an equally important reason the library was built underground.