Lincoln Hall Project
Education’s New Dawn
Living on Campus
Getting Here
The rail depot was a busy place for the start of class in late September, as most students arrived by railroads, including the Illinois traction system—a streetcar system from Danville to Springfield. Some student groups met incoming freshmen at the depot and helped them settle into their new community. The trains were reliable. Letters home could reach Chicago faster than they do today.
Where They Lived
There were no student dorms on campus in 1911. Students lived in places such as boarding houses (both private and those run by churches), the YMCA, and in the many fraternity and sorority houses around campus. Men and women lived in separate buildings. Students in those days could expect to spend about $8 per month on rent.
A Simpler, Cheaper Form of Health Insurance
Health threats were different in 1911—athletics and social events were canceled in 1914 due to scarlet fever—but a trip to the doctor could still break a budget. To ease the financial risk, students paid into a Hospital Fund Association, which paid medical bills for any member who went to the hospital. The fee was $1 per year.