Blackstock Hall at Illinois Wesleyan University
The beautiful home pictured at right was designed by Arthur L. Pillsbury for Benjamin F. Harber at 1102 North East Street near Illinois Wesleyan University. It was constructed in 1901. In the rear of the lot a stable was built and later called a coach house.
The Harbers continued to live in this house until it was sold to Harry W. Benson in 1921. At Illinois Wesleyan University in January of 1935, an announcement was made that Mrs. Mary Hardtner Blackstock of Springfield, Illinois had given $10,000 toward the cost of providing an additional dormitory for women students, but it was not until June, 1937, that the Harry W. Benson residence at 1102 North East street was purchased, named Blackstock Hall and made ready for occupancy at the beginning of the next school year.
In September 1943 an announcement of a $10,000 gift for completing the coach house as an Art Center was made, but it was at the dedication in January 1944, it became known that the donor was Mrs. Mary Hardtner Blackstock. It continues today as a dormitory for 20-26 students and the coach house served for many years as an Art Center and now serves as the Campus Security Center.
The Old House Society and the McLean County Museum of History seek donations of photos of older homes in McLean County. Please check your old albums for pictures of family homes. Pictures may be donated or loaned for scanning and would be returned with a high quality print and a digital file of the scan. Leave a message for Bill LaBounty at 309-827-0428 (Museum) or 309-820-0548 (Old House Society).
- Bill LaBounty