Wheaton College in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Jonathan Blanchard
Founders Plaza
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 10, 2025
1. Jonathan Blanchard Marker
Servant of Jesus Christ and crusader for social reform
Founder of Wheaton College January 9, 1860
First President 1860-1882
In further tribute to his descendants who gave esteemed leadership to the college
His son, Charles Albert Blanchard, second president 1882-1925
His son-in-law, Herman Fischer, Sr., teacher 1870-1920 and treasurer 1912-1922
His grandson Herman Fischer, Jr., trustee 1926-1972 and chairman 1927-1970
Presented by the Blanchard family on the occasion of its reunion during the 125th anniversary of the college
Erected 1985 by the Blanchard family.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is January 9, 1860.
Location. 41° 52.129′ N, 88° 5.976′ W. Marker is in Wheaton, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is in Wheaton College. It can be reached from Washington Street near College Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 College Avenue, Wheaton IL
this page online
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: Wheaton College 9/11 Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Blanchard Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); J. Richard Chase (within shouting distance of this marker); McCully Stadium (approx. 0.2 miles away); Original DuPage County Courthouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Adams Park (approx. 0.4 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.
Also see . . .
1. Wheaton's History. (Submitted on October 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Jonathan Blanchard biography.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 10, 2025
2. Jonathan Blanchard Marker in front of Blanchard Hall
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 10, 2025
3. Blanchard Hall
Courtesy of Wheaton College archives (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
4. 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.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 11, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
