Illinois Agricultural College at Irvington was the first college in the state for instruction in scientific and practical agricultural methods. It was chartered by the Illinois General Assembly in 1861 and opened in 1866. The main buildings stood southwest of here on 560 acres of farmland. Almost from its beginning, the school encountered financial difficulties. In 1878 title to the college and land was vested in the State of Illinois. The property was sold, and the proceeds were given to Southern Illinois Normal University. Irvington College and the Hudelson Baptist Orphanage later occupied the campus from 1907 to 1936.