Miller–Davis Law Buildings facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Miller-Davis Law Buildings
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 101-103 N. Main St. and 102-104 E. Front St., Bloomington, Illinois |
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| Area | 0.4 acres (0.16 ha) |
| Built | 1848 |
| NRHP reference No. | 79003162 |
| Added to NRHP | April 27, 1979 |
The Miller–Davis Law Buildings, also called the Miller Davis Building, are important historic buildings in Bloomington, Illinois. They are located on Main and Front Streets in McLean County, Illinois. These buildings were once law offices where many famous people worked or visited.
One of the most well-known lawyers who worked here was David Davis. He later became a Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. Another important person was Asahel Gridley, who became an Illinois State Senator. The buildings also became a popular meeting spot for other famous lawyers, including Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas.
A Look Back: History of the Miller-Davis Buildings
Even before the Miller–Davis Law Buildings were built, the corner of Main and Front Streets was a busy place. People often gathered there for political events. For example, in 1840, Stephen A. Douglas and David Davis had debates there about who should be elected to Congress.
Building a Landmark
The Miller–Davis Law Buildings were completed in 1843. They were some of the very first brick buildings in Bloomington. In fact, they were the second and third brick buildings ever constructed in the city!
A local businessman named James T. Miller paid for the buildings to be constructed. He was known for buying and selling land. James Goodheart, William T. H. Miller, and Squire Lawrence were the people who built them. Today, these buildings are the oldest ones in the main business area of Bloomington. They are also the only examples of 1840s buildings in McLean County that were not homes.
Famous Lawyers and Meetings
The offices inside these buildings were used by some of the most important lawyers in Illinois. The first floor of the Miller building was a pharmacy, but the second floor was full of law offices.
David Davis even paid for an extra part to be added to the building just for his own law practice. He worked there as a lawyer until 1848, when he became a judge for the Illinois Circuit Courts. After that, Asahel Gridley and John M. Scott started practicing law in the Miller offices.
Many well-known lawyers met with Davis, Scott, and Gridley in these buildings. Some of these famous visitors included Joshua R. and Jesse W. Fell, William W. Orme, Ward Hill Lamon, James T. Miller, Leonard Swett, Stephen A. Douglas, and Abraham Lincoln. It was truly a place where history was made!
