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Morrow Plots, University of Illinois
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The Morrow Plots, with institute for Genomic Biology in the background.
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| Location: | Urbana, Illinois |
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| Built: | 1876 |
| Governing body: | State |
| NRHP Reference#: | 68000024 [1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP: | May 23, 1968 |
| Designated NHL: | May 23, 1968[2] |
The Morrow Plots is an experimental corn field at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is the oldest of its kind in the Western hemisphere 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.[3] The Morrow Plot, along with the neighboring University of Illinois Observatory, was designated as a National Historic Landmark on May 23, 1968.[4]
It is popularly believed that the University constructed an undergraduate library with three stories underground, so that the library would not block the sun. 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.[5]
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