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Stevenson House

Historic building
In Bloomington, Illinois
0.5 mi from Route 66
National Register of Historic Places

The Stevenson House is the boyhood home of Adlai Stevenson II, near Bloomington, IL, about 0.7 miles from the old Route 66 corridor. Stevenson later served as governor of Illinois, ran twice for president as the Democratic nominee and became ambassador to the UN. Designed in 1900, the house is listed on the National Register and stands near several other historic homes.

What is Stevenson House?

The house was drawn up in 1900 by architect Arthur Pillsbury for Lyman Graham, its first owner. The Stevenson family bought it in 1906, when young Adlai was six. Its National Register listing dates to May 24, 1974.

History of Stevenson House

Adlai Stevenson II grew up here, staying through his junior year of high school, when he attended Normal's University High School. He then finished school at the Choate School in Connecticut.

His public career was long. He served as Illinois governor from 1949 to 1953, ran as the Democratic candidate for president in 1952 and again in 1956, and was America's ambassador to the UN from 1961 until he died in 1965.

Visiting Stevenson House: tips

Treat it as a private residence: view the house from the sidewalk and respect the owners' privacy. It fits into a walk with White Place Historic District, the John M. Hamilton House and the Robert Greenlee House, all very close.