Altgeld's castles

In his second biennial message to the state legislature, he discussed how buildings were being constructed without consideration for their outward appearance.

He stated that it was time for buildings to become more aesthetically pleasing in addition to being functional, and he suggested the "Tudor-Gothic style" as the most inexpensive way to do this.

Altgeld Hall, built in 1896 at the cost of $40,000, is the oldest surviving building on the Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus.

The Board of Trustees initially adopted the classical design by prominent Chicago architect Daniel Burnham.

Governor Altgeld had a huge interest in education and believed that the campus should have a library, so the building was originally used for this purpose.

On the campus of Illinois State University, Governor John Peter Altgeld ordered the construction of a castle-like building.

Though the building contains turret styles with towers and battlement like Governor Altgeld wanted, the architects also added their own flair by using Bedford limestone.

Cook Hall is the only building on the Illinois State University campus that is on the National Register of Historic Places.

It housed chemical and physical laboratories, executive offices, a 1,200 seat auditorium, biology labs, a study hall, a museum, classrooms, a manual training shop, an independent water system, and finally a "dynamo" for light and power.

Altgeld Hall underwent a $24 million renovation project which began in 1999 and ended with the rededication on October 7, 2004.

By the 1980s, the building suffered from water seepage, cracked plaster and badly outdated electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems.

The newly restored building is a point of pride on campus, both for its beauty and the sense of history it affords, according to NIU President John Peters.

"Altgeld Hall is not a museum, but a living, working public space where the roots of American higher education are still very much in view."