41 East University Avenue

Commercial architectural style

The 1913 Illinois Traction Building was the headquarters and terminal of a regional electrified railway system that served Danville, Champaign-Urbana, Bloomington, Peoria, Decatur, Springfield, St. Louis, and towns in between.  The terra cotta and red brick building designed by local architect Joseph Royer was strikingly different than other buildings he had designed in the city, including many University of Illinois fraternity and sorority houses, the Champaign Country Club, and the Urbana-Lincoln Hotel.  The Illinois Traction Building was constructed by William McKinley at the height of the railway’s success and served both as offices and a passenger depot.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 20, 2006 for significance in Architecture, Transportation, and Commerce (#86003782).  Also known as the Illinois Power Building.