40 Monument Square
The Big Blue Building - est 1840
From the Start
40 Monument Square’s remarkable history is thanks in part to its prominent location. From a military headquarters to a tavern, saddle shop, drug store, and legal offices, the site and the Big Blue Building itself are etched into the fabric of Urbana and Monument Square, even before the center of Urbana was dedicated “Monument Square.”
McDonald & Read, circa 1858, earliest known image.
Noble Beginnings
In 1806, about a year after the establishment of Urbana, Samuel McCord built the first shingled house in town at the site of the present-day 40 Monument Square.
By 1811, Benjamin Doolittle had acquired the property and established the building as a dwelling and a tavern. A second log structure was added to the west side of the initial building which served as the tavern, dining room and kitchen.
During the War of 1812, when Urbana was the military center for the Northwest Army, Doolittle’s Tavern functioned as the headquarters for Ohio's Governor Return Meigs Jr., General William Hull, and Brigadier General Tupper. Hull’s soldiers camped nearby and were called “the ragged regiment” as they stayed throughout the winter, waiting for orders.
Marcus Heylin acquired the Doolittle property in 1820. He updated the log building while his family lived there and used the building as a general store, selling pitchforks, ox-yokes, kettles and pots. According to records, this store was the most noted trading post in this part of Ohio and Heylin was “a reputable merchant with whom the Indians were accustomed to trade.”
Duncan McDonald arrived in Urbana in 1820. He married a daughter of Heylin’s and became a partner in the business. After Heylin died in 1824, McDonald transitioned the store to focus on selling dry goods.
1806 - 1811
1840
The Building is Born
Around 1840, the foundation and core structure that today are the bones of 40 Monument were completed, replacing the former log structure with a three-story brick building. By 1858, it appears McDonald had partnered with a new gentleman and the business was renamed to McDonald & Read.
Pharmacies & More
Color Postcard in 1912
Red Days Crowd in 1932
1891 - 1991
The Next 100 Years
“Monument Square,” as it is known today, was previously referred to as the “Public Square” or “the Square,” until after the conclusion of the Civil War and the subsequent dedication of the Man on the Monument Memorial. Henceforth, addresses were changed to reflect Monument Square.
Other businesses continued to move in and out of the spaces available in 40 Monument Square, just as they do today. In 1891, a barber shop was located on the property and in 1910, a halter factory was operating on the third floor. At other times there was a harness store, toy store and a clothing store.
In 1907, Hatton Drug Store moved from 34 Monument Square to the east side of 40 Monument Square and it was known as “Hatton’s Corner.” By 1909, Otway Cooper Saddlery Co. occupied the west side on the first floor of the building.
Hatton Drug Store, circa 1910.
John Enright, who had worked for Hatton, became a partner in 1918 and the business became Hatton & Enright Pharmacy.
Ten years later, the pharmacy moved away from 40 Monument and the Gallagher Drug Store moved in.
By 1929, Humes Hardware Store sat on the west side of 40 Monument.
One morning in late July 1932, the Urbana Daily Citizen, along with local shop owners had a special drawing for shoppers who had collected tickets from merchants during the month. The drawing took place in the northwest corner of the square with 21 winning tickets, each for $5, $10, or $50 cash prizes.
This initiative was likely to encourage business during the financially devastating period of the Great Depression.
1991 - 2021
The Paulig Years
After a number of years of deterioration, Georgia & Karl Paulig bought both halves of the double fronted building and began renovations in 1991. Sparing no expense, the restoration resulted in a modern elevator, updated electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and around 31 office spaces, notably the office of attorney Karl Paulig. His office was at one point part of the Urbana Loft Tour and combined modern functionality with 19th century antiques and charm.
The smalle of the two photos above displays the general configuration and style of the building during the Pauligs’ stewardship. The larger photo shows the building in early 2023, prior to its restoration and new color scheme.
A New Era
Urbana Tomorrow
2023 - Present
Sustainable
Transformational
Outstanding
Justin T. Weller’s company, Urbana Tomorrow, purchased the property in 2023 and immediately began refreshing the building, which included installation of new windows in the style of the originals, exterior repair, network infrastructure upgrades, and – of course – the exterior paint job resulting in the bold and professional “Dress Blue” and “Icicle White.” As a result of the new colors, 40 Monument Square has also become known as “Big Blue.”
In partnership with the Daughters of the American Revolution and local artist Mike Major, the bronze historical marker on the side of the building was cleaned and restored over 100 years after its initial installation.
Weller moved his company’s headquarters into the building shortly thereafter and prioritized bringing retail business back to the ground level. By mid-2023, A Mustard Seed, the Boutique opened in the premier retail space in downtown Urbana at the corner of 40 Monument Square.
By the start of 2024, Weller’s company welcomed a new co-owner, David Uhl, as Chief Executive Officer. Uhl’s organization, Timber & Steel Building Co., became part of the Urbana Tomorrow group of companies and moved its offices into Big Blue.
Today, 40 Monument Square offers class A office space and one-of-a-kind, premier retail spaces in downtown Urbana, while serving as the incubator for additional development projects throughout Champaign County, led by the Urbana Tomorrow team and the company’s subsidiaries.
Acknowledgements
This narrative history and many of the images were made possible and/or are the property of the Champaign County Historical Society, to whom we are grateful for their contribution to this initiative.
Levi LaForge at TrueChat was the lead producer for the audio history.