1969 Landmark Status – Morrow Plots

Established in 1876, the Morrow Plots are considered “America’s oldest experimental field.” In 1969, the plots were officially designated as a registered National Historic Landmark, thus ensuring that the University of Illinois would always have a cornfield in the heart of campus. Illinois Crop Improvement contributed to the “permanent placement of the plaque, a permanent green fence , and an appropriate gate entrance.” According to the Univeristy of Illinois “Research on the plots was instrumental in gaining knowledge on crop rotation, soil nutrient depletion, and the effects of synthetic and natural fertilizers. With more than 100 years of research, records of the Morrow Plots continue to provide valuable information for a variety of topics, including soil carbon sequestration and long-term effects of fertilizers on soil bacteria. Corn, wheat, soybeans and other crops are still grown on the plots to this day.” While the plots have often been cited as the reason for building the undergraduate library underground this appears to be an Urbana legend. The library’s dedication proceeding cites the “desire to keep an open air aesthetic” as the primary reason. Both reasons hold merit. All we can say is “the plot thickens.”