Watterson Towers

Watterson Towers is a student residence hall at Illinois State University in Normal with two connected towers rising approximately 298 feet. The structure houses ten separate residential communities, each with multiple suites and common spaces designed to support student living.

The residence hall opened in 1968 and was named for Arthur W. Watterson, who directed the Geography department from 1951 to 1966. This dual-tower construction represented a significant expansion of student housing capacity at the university.

Each house in the towers originally carried names of early United States Secretaries of State before the university switched to alphabetical designations. This naming choice reflected the institution's academic traditions.

The building includes dining facilities, study areas on the T-Level of both towers, and laundry services available around the clock. Visitors should plan extra time for navigation given the many floors and interconnected layout of the towers.

The structure stands as the tallest building between Chicago and St. Louis, with varying room layouts distributed across its 28 floors. This vertical prominence makes it a notable landmark in the regional higher education landscape.

Location: Illinois

GPS coordinates: 40.50820,-88.98780

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:53