In the early 1890s Springfield College purchased a large tract of land bordered by the railroad from the Bowles/ Alexander families. Four years later Dr. Luther Halsey Gulick purchased a one acre plot of this tract near the corner of Wilbraham Road and Alden Street with the stipulation that the school would have the right of first refusal if and when he chose to sell the property.

On this property, Dr. Gulick built a three story, 16 room house. Dr. Gulick designed the house himself, paying $4,100 for the construction and $200 for the grading of the property following construction. In May of 1900, when he left the employ of Springfield College, Gulick offered the house and property to the school for $4,000. Gulick’s offer was turned down and the house and property were sold to Walter Beebe in 1904.

In 1913 the School’s trustees authorized President Laurence Locke Doggett to rent the house from Beebe for $35.00 per month. The school would make all needed repairs. Because of the extensive repairs needed, and the expected cost of such repairs, an agreement was reached with Walter Beebe, for the College to purchase the property for $5,000. Total cost including sale price, repairs, and renovations was in excess of $12,000. President Doggett resided in the house from 1914 through 1936, when he retired.

After he left, the house was used for many other purposes. Initially, the house was converted into a dormitory. Interestingly enough, while Dr. Doggett lived in the house, the third floor was renovated and used as student rental units, so this wasn’t the first time that students had used the structure for housing.

In the 1940’s the building was used as storage until 1947, when it was renovated for use as the Student Union. It remained a Student Union until the completion of the Beveridge Center in 1959, when it was razed. The property today is a parking area for Babson Library.

Written and researched by Sheila Thompson, September 2013

1890: Tract of land bordered by railroad purchased by the college

1894: Luther Gulick purchased 1 acre of this tract at corner of Wilbraham Road and Alden Street

1895: Gulick built 3-story, 16 room house

1900: Gulick offers to sell house back to college

1904: House sold to Walter Beebe

1913: Doggett authorized to rent house as “President’s Home”

1914: Doggett approaches trustees to purchase property and purchase is approved

1936: House is converted to dormitory

1940’s: Used as storage facility

1947: Becomes Student Union

1959: Building razed- Beveridge Center completed

Present Site is now a parking lot for Babson Library