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Tours

  1. Specialized Tours

    • Discover NIU Landmark Tour

      Tour 10 landmarks located in central NIU campus to discover their history and and significance.

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      1. Castle Drive Gates

        From the day Altgeld Hall welcomed its first students, Castle Drive has stood as NIU’s ceremonial front door. Originally framed by a stately stone gateway with wrought iron carriage and pedestrian gates, the entryway was altered in the late 1950s due to rising automobile traffic. But tradition had its comeback—on October 1, 1995, exactly one century after Altgeld’s cornerstone was laid, a new gateway was dedicated at Castle Drive and Lincoln Highway, a tribute to Northern’s enduring legacy.

      2. East Lagoon

        Once a modest mudhole, the East Lagoon was transformed in 1907 into a scenic pond with cascading pools and a small island—the site of commencement ceremonies beginning in 1942. Weddings, formal events, and student traditions have graced its shores.

        In the 1930s, the CWA and WPA reshaped the landscape: deepening the lagoon, fortifying its banks, and connecting it to the Kishwaukee River. Castle Drive was born from that same effort.

        After football victories, students removed goal posts from the stadium and threw them into the water—a Huskie celebration unlike any other.

      3. Freshman Kissing Bench

        Nestled near the Lagoon, this bench was a gift from the class of 1903, placed lovingly beneath their chosen oak on Freshman Day. Alvin Farr recited a poem at its dedication, and by the 1950s, it had earned a reputation as the “Kissing Bench.”

        Campus lore insists: a freshman isn’t truly a coed until kissed by an upperclassman here. But beware—the trail splits around a tree, and if a couple drifts apart while passing through, well... fate may have other plans.

      4. William Goose Memorial

        Feared, loved, and frequently chased—William ruled the lagoon in the late 1970s. He was both revered and feared by students and staff. His fame skyrocketed when Mike Royko chronicled his reign and image in the press, giving him global celebrity status.

        In a twist of fate that still sparks campus debates, William met a tragic end in 1981. Was it a rogue student, or something stranger? Ask an alum and you’ll get a different story every time.

      5. Lagoon Restoration Project

        NIU students, guided by Professor Holly Jones, have breathed new life into the Lagoon’s ecosystem through restoration efforts that blend science, art, and community. Working with ENCAP Incorporated, they’ve planted native species and studied how restoration improves both the campus and its biodiversity.

        The results? Stunning landscapes, robust root systems that prevent erosion and flooding, and habitats that welcome pollinators and wildlife. Curious explorers can use apps like Picture This or Seek to discover plants like swamp milkweed, New England aster, cardinal flower, and black-eyed susan.

      6. ‘Media Hound’ Huskie

        After the February 14 tragedy in 2008, Huskies on Parade emerged to honor victims and celebrate resilience. Each painted pup was sponsored by local businesses and auctioned to support the Forward, Together Forward Scholarship Fund.

        In total, the parade raised $40,000, helping five students carry their dream of attending NIU in memory of five others whose journeys were cut short—but never forgotten.

      7. Olive Goyle

        Architect Charles Brush gave Altgeld Hall a Gothic flair with 22 stone creatures—half gargoyles, half grotesques. While the gargoyles whisk away rainwater, the grotesques are all show.

        After lightning claimed several, one restored grotesque emerged from storage in 1973 to grace the garden between Altgeld and Still. In 1996, students voted for her name: Olive Goyle. She’s been watching over campus ever since.

      8. Le Baron by Alexander Calder

        In pursuit of public art that reflected intellectual ambition, NIU chose Le Baron, a sculpture by the legendary Alexander Calder. Originally displayed in France, it now stands proudly on our campus—thanks to a mix of vending machine proceeds, private donations, and Student Association funds.

        Originally purchased for $50,000, Le Baron is now valued at over $1 million. Not just a sculpture, it’s a symbol of bold thinking, creativity, and the enduring spirit of the Huskie mind.

      9. Davis Hall Observatory

        High above Davis Hall, stands one of NIU’s best-kept secrets. Since 1965, the Davis Hall Observatory has offered stargazing opportunities free to all. Renovated in 2000, it features a hydraulic floor and telescopes including the Celestron 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain and the TeleVue 85mm refractor.

        Cosmic curiosity? Come explore—no appointment or astrophysics degree required.

      10. NIU Staff Bench

        Built in 1943 to honor Fred L. Charles, a beloved founding faculty member and poet, this bench stands as a tribute to both intellect and imagination. Charles founded the student newspaper, The Northern Illinois, and published Sunshine and Zephyrs, a volume of nature-inspired verse.