This view of the Town of Normal and Illinois State University, taken in 1966 from either Hewett or Manchester halls, two recently opened high-rise dormitories, looks west. Visible in the distance are Hancock Stadium and the Tri-Towers residential complex (Haynie, Wilkins, and Wright halls).
The houses shown here were later razed to make way for the ISU Student Center (completed in 1973) and Milner Library - Illinois State University (1976). The church at the lower right was First Baptist Church. When demolished in 2000 to make way for a student apartment building, it was the oldest church building in Bloomington-Normal. What else catches your eye in this fascinating view?
The Town of Normal is celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2015. The Normal 1-5-0 weekend activities included Saturday’s Circus Day and Street Party, both in Uptown Normal. Sunday’s events featured a History Fair at the Uptown Marriott and Historic Portrayals at the Normal Theater. For a full event schedule, go to www.normal.org/index.aspx?NID=968.
