Blackburn College history

The first building, University Hall, constructed in 1838, cost $12,000.

Blackburn Theological Seminary opened its doors in 1859 and was named in Rev.

By 1862, several buildings had been developed for study on campus including space for the "Blackburn Academy" an organization for a campus grade and high school.

In 1864, the school had also been recognized and established as a four-year institution.

During the Civil War a full collegiate course of study was introduced, including both the classics and the sciences, and in 1869 the name was changed to Blackburn College.

1870: First college commencement held in Macoupin County Courthouse.

1871: First edition of the Blackburn Gazette published (later known as The Blackburn Courier, The Blackburnian, and finally The ‘Burnian) which is today the oldest college newspaper still published in Illinois.

Built in 1880, Robertson Hall was named after William A. Robertson, a generous friend of the college.

The college’s first athletic contest was a baseball game played against Illinois College on March 29, 1882.

A native of Carlinville and an 1888 graduate, she is best known for her nature writings about the American Southwest.

C. H. C. Anderson of Dallas, Texas, an 1899 graduate of Blackburn, provided funds for a student center as a memorial to his parents, William E. P. and Nellie Hamilton Anderson.

A graduate of Princeton University, Doctor Hudson came to Blackburn in 1911 as its 12th president.

Doctor William M. Hudson began his tenure as college president in 1912.

1913: Student “Self Help Plan” initiated (participating students paid $100 tuition and contributed 3 hrs.day of manual labor). College barns built.

For instance, the first expansion of the physical plant in some years was in 1914, when two Pullman cars were donated by the Pullman Company and used for student housing.

In 1916, the College began to offer an Associate of Arts degree in addition to the Bachelor of Arts degree.

In the coming years, Blackburn would be established as a Junior College (1918) revoking the charter to have a four-year institution.

McKinley House (1926) was constructed due to a gift given by Senator McKinley.

When fire destroyed University Hall in 1927, it destroyed the College offices, chapel, library, classrooms, and the rooms of 80 men.

Butler Hall: Opened in 1928, this residence hall is named for the late Burridge D. Butler, a one-time trustee of the College, and was built by students through the Work Program.

Ground broken for what would become Hudson Hall.1930: The original Blackburn Academy discontinued.

Completed in 1932 and located on the west side of Hudson Hall, Clegg Chapel was given as a memorial to Sherman K. Clegg by his parents, Mr. and Mrs.

1934: Wilson House opened.

Blackburn students, so dedicated to athletics, built the college’s first campus gymnasium with their own hands in 1930. It was used until the completion of Dawes Gymnasium in 1938.

1943: North wing of the College Barn destroyed by fire; agriculture program effectively discontinued Brick tool house and garage constructed.

When he retired in 1945, they totaled nearly two million.

1947: Bachelor of Arts degree program re-established.

Jones-Allison Hall was constructed in 1949.

1951: Music building acquired.

About the Artist, Reverend James McClarey In 1952, Blackburn College senior James McClarey ’53AA embarked on a journey through the college’s history for his senior art project.

Since this mural’s completion in 1953, 15 campus facilities have been built, 10 of which used student labor.

These were installed in Hudson Hall in 1956.

1957: F.W. Olin Science Building constructed.

1959: Graham Hall constructed.

1961: Construction of Ludlum Hall begun.

1962: Alumni hall of Biology added to F.W. Olin Science Building.

In 1964, the Lumpkin Library was completed, later known as the Lumpkin Learning Commons.

Ludlum Hall: Since its completion in 1966, Ludlum Hall has housed many of the administrative offices of the College.

1967: Theresa M. Renner Art Center opened.

Separate gas-heating units replace central coal-fired heating.1968: C.H.C. Anderson Student Center expanded.

1969: Clegg Chapel renovated.

1970: Isabel Bothwell Conservatory of Music with facilities for theater construction completed.

1972: Former library space in Hudson Hall lower level converted into classrooms and offices.

1974: Remodeling of Dawes Gymnasium begun.

1975: Construction begun on Woodward (addition to Dawes Gymnasium) to include swimming pool, locker rooms, exercise areas, and handball courts.

1983: Computer Center established.

1999: Physical Plant Building completed (located behind Lumpkin)

By the year 2000 Hudson Hall had been completely renovated.

2002: Demuzio Campus Center opened.

2003: Visual Arts Center constructed (attached to north side of Bothwell conservatory).

2005: David M. Woodson Center for Business and Economics opened (housed inside Jones-Allison where the kitchen and dining hall were previously located).

PCs in the General Lab are equipped with Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2007.

2008: The Marvin and Ingrid Mahan Science Laboratory constructed = which is one of the first LEED rated buildings in central Illinois, houses state of the art laboratories for biology, chemistry, biochemistry, faculty offices, and a large enclosed atrium.

2014: Phase 1 of the Lumpkin Learning Commons renovation completed (Lobby and offices).

2016: Phase 2 of the Lumpkin Learning Commons renovation completed (north wing).

Alumni and Development staff moves from Ludlum Hall to the Welcome Center.2017: Woodward Center renovated and re-purposed for a wellness center.