Depression Era ExhibitMain Menu"Even the Familiar Chimes of Altgeld Hall were Stilled"A digital collection focusing on the Great Depression at the University of Illinois campus and surrounding areas created by Justin C. Williams on behalf of the University of Illinois Student Life and Culture Archives.Greek Life on CampusPeople of IllinoisStudent Life, Culture and SportsSurrounding ProhibitionJustin Williamsb70f963b476d25237566bff71436a8ecd9b41b86
Hobo Band Parade, circa 1926
12016-03-08T13:20:36-08:00Justin Williamsb70f963b476d25237566bff71436a8ecd9b41b8682631During the depression, students seemed to be losing their interest in school spirit. The university had many different homecoming activities, but like the “Hobo Parade”, canceled in 1934, students seemed to be losing school spirit. The Daily Illini took note, reporting: “Homecoming appears to be back-sliding this year, not because of faulty management or any cause of the like, but seemingly because many students seem to think that all the frivolity and collegiate spirit connected with the weekend is more or less passé.” But while other traditions died, the homecoming football game lived on at such a scale that toppled the campus in celebration and cheer in a time plagued with depression year after year. (History of Illinois Homecoming: Depression and Wartime,” ExploreCU, accessed March 2, 2016,http://www.explorecu.org/items/show/262.)plain2016-03-08T13:20:36-08:00Justin Williamsb70f963b476d25237566bff71436a8ecd9b41b86