Wheaton College in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Blanchard Hall

A stop on the Underground Railroad

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 10, 2025

1. Blanchard Hall Marker

Inscription. Before and during the Civil War, thousands of freedom seekers fled northward to escape bondage. Aided by abolitionists and other sympathetic allies, these men, women, and children often traveled by night on foot or by wagon, boat, or train. By day they found shelter in barns, shops, churches, and schools.

Located in DuPage County, Blanchard Hall was surrounded by an active anti-slavery community. It was geographically well-situated to welcome freedom seekers who ended their journey in Chicago to join a large population of free African Americans or to board a vessel to Canada via Lake Michigan.

When Wheaton College was founded in 1860 as a Christian liberal arts college, the institute's participation in the Underground Railroad was valiantly carried forward by the college's founding president, abolitionist Jonathan Blanchard, who, with his wife, Mary, harbored escaped slaves in their home.

Before he enlisted in the 39th Illinois Infantry Regiment, Company G (the "Preacher's Company") in 1861, Ezra Cook was a student at Wheaton College. Later, he wrote of having seen and talked with runaway slaves. "So strong was

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public sentiment that runaway slaves were perfectly safe in the college building, even when no attempt was made to conceal them. Of course, they soon took a night train well-guarded to the next station on the U.G.R.R. [Underground Railroad]."

In 1866, Wheaton became the first college in Illinois to graduate African American students.

Erected 2021 by Wheaton College; William G. Pomeroy Foundation; Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Education • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society, the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 41° 52.103′ N, 88° 5.982′ W. Marker is in Wheaton, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is in Wheaton College. It is on College Avenue near Washington Street, on the left when traveling east. The marker is to the left of the main entrance into Blanchard Hall, on the campus of Wheaton College. Touch for map. Marker

Blanchard Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 10, 2025

2. Blanchard Hall

The building's landmark tower was completed in 1871. The oldest portion of the building, which was used on the Underground Railroad, is visible on either side of the tower. The marker to the right of the door denotes the building's inclusion on the National Register of Historic PLaces.

is at or near this postal address: 501 College Avenue, Wheaton IL 60187, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jonathan Blanchard (within shouting distance of this marker); Wheaton College 9/11 Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); J. Richard Chase (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); McCully Stadium (approx. 0.2 miles away); Original DuPage County Courthouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Adams Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Adams Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Adams Park (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wheaton.

Regarding Blanchard Hall. Blanchard Hall was Wheaton College's

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 10, 2025

3. Blanchard Hall Marker

first campus building, and at the time of its use on the Underground Railroad its only one. The oldest part of the building, completed around 1858, was partially blocked in 1871 by the 80-foot tower that became a landmark feature of the college's campus.

Also see . . .
1. What's That Building? Blanchard Hall at Wheaton College.

Excerpt from WBEZ Chicago: "Inside Blanchard Hall, physical remnants of the building’s Underground Railroad days are gone. What was once a chapel where escaped slaves gathered is now a series of staircases, landings, and study nooks. Two basement tunnels where fugitives were rumored to have hid were partially filled in during a 1980s renovation."

(Submitted on October 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Blanchard Hall: National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. The building was added to the NRHP in 1979. (Submitted on October 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

3. DuPage County and the Underground Railroad. (Submitted on October 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Blanchard Hall from College Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 10, 2025

4. Blanchard Hall from College Avenue

Jonathan Blanchard (1811-1892) image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Wheaton College archives (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons

5. Jonathan Blanchard (1811-1892)

Blanchard was named president of the Illinois Institute in 1860. When Warren Wheaton, namesake of this suburb 25 miles west of Chicago, donated land to the school that same year, Blanchard renamed the institute Wheaton College. Blanchard served as president until retiring in 1882. His son, Charles, led the school for 43 years after that.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 80 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 5. submitted on October 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.