John W. Cook Hall
Listed as “Cook, John W., Hall” · Also known as Gymnasium Building; Old Castle
Many listed buildings are private homes. Please enjoy them from the street.
About John W. Cook Hall
John W. Cook Hall, at Illinois State University, US 51, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Feb 20, 1986: the first place in Normal to be listed. Only 794 of Illinois’s 1,939 listings are older. The Register lists it for its education and architecture, at the state level. The listing covers 1 acre.
PDFRead the original nominationThe form that put it on the Register, with its history, photos and a map · 18 MB · National Archives↗Make it a walk: 2 landmarks in about 10 minutes
Illinois State University, US 51, Normal · about 0.3 miles on foot, as the crow flies
- 1John W. Cook HallStart here
- 2
Normal TheaterArt Moderne · 0.3 mi on
5 more Register listings within a mile
★ National Historic Landmark · D district · B building · S site. Each opens its own page.
Memories of John W. Cook Hall
The record says what it is. Neighbors know what it means.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Questions about John W. Cook Hall
Is John W. Cook Hall on the National Register of Historic Places?
Yes. It was added on Feb 20, 1986 (Register number 86000268).
Is John W. Cook Hall a National Historic Landmark?
No. It is on the National Register; Illinois has 86 National Historic Landmarks. The nearest is Clover Lawn, 2 miles away.
Can you visit John W. Cook Hall?
Our record doesn’t say whether it is open to visitors. Many listed buildings are private, so it may only be seen from the street.
Where can I read the history of John W. Cook Hall?
In its National Register nomination, the form that put it on the Register: a 18 MB PDF at the National Archives, linked on this page.
Sources: National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places (05/22/2026) · National Archives catalog record 28893681 · Wikidata. Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.