Harker Hall, Chemical laboratory at University of Illinois, Urbana, United States.
Harker Hall is located at 1305 West Green Street and features a Second Empire design with a limestone entrance stairway and mansard roof. The building has been thoroughly renovated to preserve its Italianate exterior details while incorporating modern features inside.
Nathan Clifford Ricker designed this Second Empire structure in 1877 to serve as the university's primary chemistry laboratory. A lightning strike in 1896 caused significant damage that ended its original purpose.
The building carries the name of Oliver A. Harker, who led the university's law school as dean during the early 1900s. His role in shaping the institution is remembered through this structure.
The building is easily accessible on foot from various parts of campus and features a formal plaza for visitor orientation. Accessibility features are in place to ensure a comfortable experience for all visitors exploring the area.
Students supervised by Ricker directly participated in construction by creating woodwork in the campus shop and serving as draftsmen on the project. This hands-on involvement made it a building created by the university community itself.
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