Allerton Park, Monticello, IL

by Mel

Allerton Park is the former estate of philanthropist Robert Allerton. The park now belongs to the University of Illinois. My first exposure to the place was when I was very young. My sisters went there for 4-H camp. I joined 4-H when I was old enough just so I could go to camp at Allerton Park. I went for a week each summer for 4 summers. A few years later, I would periodically stop there when passing by on the interstate. I took these photos at various times over the years.

The park is mostly woods, but in the center lies the ... (more)

Allerton House
The home owned by philanthropist Robert Allerton in Allerton Park.

A murky pond
The pond in front of the house.

Sunken Gardens
The Sunken Gardens at Allerton Park. When I went to camp here, we had our...

Bench
just thought the wall looked sort of cool

Pathway to Sunken Gardens
The pathway that leads from the other formal gardens between the...

Chinese musician
The walkway to the Sunken Gardens is lined with these little Chinese men.

Maze
You can't tell from this angle, but the shrubs are a maze.

Another Garden
One of the gardens closer to the mansion.

Three Sisters

Close up of Three Sisters

Another close up of Three Sisters

Vine path to gazebo and Fu Dog Garden

Buddha in gazebo
The gazebo by the Fu Dog Garden (note the reflection of one of the...

The Fu Dog Garen
the Fu Dogs were done by various unknown artists. Four have been...

Fu Dog
A Chinese Fu Dog at Allerton Park, Monticello, Illinois.

House in the Woods
When we'd go on night hikes at 4-H Camp, this house used to scare...

Sunsinger statue
He's over 10 ft tall with his pedastal.

Side Path

Primitve Man

Sphinx
There are two of these lining a set of steps coming down from the mansion...

article published 8/29/2003

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summer camp
I went to 4-h camp here when I was a kid. I was trying to explain the layout to my kids. If anyone has pictures of the camp area, I would love to see them. I remember loving this place as a kid.
— Leeann, July 9, 2011

I LIve in the neighborhood next to it
It is truly an amazing place. I currently live in Monticello, IL and happen to live in the neighborhood right next to it.
— Anonymous, February 11, 2010

I attended 4-H camp as a youth and later as a teenager (and counseler). I have tried for years to explain this place to my husband as we live in Rhode Island and he has never been there. It is an amazing place. Am I crazy or wasn't there a centaur as well as one of the statues?
— Becky, January 9, 2010

candle lighting ceremony
I attended 4H camp at 4H Memorial camp, served as a counselor, and later was on the staff for 2 summers (74 & 75). In those years we had candle lighting ceremonies in several places, the sunken gardens, the garden with the Fu Dogs, and we floated candles across the pond in front of the mansion. I have great memories of the camp, the park, and the people I worked with.
— MaryAnn Burkybile Queen, December 29, 2009

I also meant to mention 1 other thing: Many of the gardens are lined up in a linear fashion -- that is, if you start walking from east to west, you will pass through many different gardens -- several of the gardens had concrete walls (seen in the photo with the bench) and you could walk along the top of the wall on a cantilevered walkway. Unfortunately, in the 70's or 80's the concrete and steel began to deteriorate and they close this feature. Unless you know where to look, you wouldn't probably even notice the walkways or the stairs up to them now.
— Glenn, January 8, 2009

Champaign, IL
It's Champaign, not Champagne (in case anyone is searching)
— Glenn, January 8, 2009

I went remember the Candle Lighting Ceremony at in the sunken gardens! I attended the 4H camp for 3 summers... I think it was around 1973 - 1976 or so. Great times! Some of my best childhood memories!!!
— Steve, February 9, 2008

I too attended 4-H camp here and have great memories of hiking at night to the sunken garden. My son just married a few wks ago after proposing to his fiance at the Sun Singer statue!
— cathy, July 13, 2007

great place
— john, May 17, 2007

i love allerton park. :)
— Leah, May 17, 2006

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