Whitney Family

Alice (Wheelock) Whitney at the dedication of the Whitney Memorial Airport, 1935

Whitney House fireplace, 1958

Whitney House, 1968

Whitney House, 1971

Historical Marker for Whitney and Mitchell Houses, 1978

Biography

The Whitney family were some of the earliest settlers in Stearns County, MN, and produced several generations of Minnesota businessmen, philanthropists, civic leaders, lawyers, and Republican politcians. Ephriam and Elizabeth Whitney grew up in Maine before moving to Minnesota shortly after their marriage in 1854. They farmed in various areas of Stearns County.

Their son, Albert G. Whitney, married Alice Wheelock in 1891, and the couple became some of the most distinguished residents of St. Cloud. Albert engaged in the real estate and loan insurance business in St. Cloud as well as building a railway that linked the downtown areas of Waite Park, St. Cloud, and Sauk Rapids. He was also involved with the creation of public utilities in St. Cloud and throughout Stearns County. His wife, Alice, was a well-known and prominent citizen of St. Cloud. She was active in community social programs, civic projects, and clubs.  After her husband's death, Alice donated a piece of land on the northside of St. Cloud for a municipal airport or a recreation area. The land was used as an airport for a time and is now Whitney Park. Alice and Albert had three children: Wheelock Sr., Pauline, and Lois. Wheelock Sr., was also a St. Cloud philanthropist and businessmen and had two sons: Wheelock Jr. and John. Wheelock Jr. was the Minnesota Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in 1964, losing to Eugene McCarthy. He was also the Republican nominee for Minnesota Governor in 1982, losing to Rudy Perpich. Alice Whitney lived in their historic southside St. Cloud home until her death in 1954.

Whitney House (1956)

Designed by architects Tyrie and Chapman, the home was built for Albert and Alice Whitney. The Whitney family lived in the home when it was completed in 1919 until 1954, when Alice passed away. Famous visitors to the home included First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in October 1941 and African-American vocalist Marian Anderson in April 1942. The home was then donated to St. Cloud State in 1955 by the Whitney family. St. Cloud State took possession on July 1, 1956 and has served many roles since then:

• 1956 to 1965: dormitory for freshman women
• 1965 to 1966: Alpha Phi sorority house
• 1966 to 1975: President’s office, administrative offices, offices for miscellaneous programs and departments
• 1975 to present: offices for various programs and departments, especially for the College of Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, and School of Public Affairs

For more information, see the individual profiles for Whitney House on the University Archives’ website.