Corner of N. McLean & E. Walnut Streets
History indicates Valentine Wheeler (the first child born in Hudson Township) started building this residence in the early 1860’s. The construction is considered folk Victorian. If you look up, you will see a widow’s walk on the roof. The house was completed by John Aldrich, co-owner of a Hudson drug store. In 1888, John S. Johnston purchased the home. After his death in 1905, it continued to be home to his daughters, Lora, Grace, Mae and Sara. In April 1904, Sara was married to Mr. Chester A. King of Carlock at the home. In 1938, the sisters had a celebration to mark their 50 years of living in the house.
In the early 1900’s, the sisters made their mark in Hudson as teachers, both in the village and in rural Hudson schools. In 1903, Lora was appointed Hudson postmistress by President Theodore Roosevelt, a position she held until 1937. Lora started the Hudson News newspaper in 1916. There is a copy of a diary of the sisters’ life from 1937-1938 housed in the library’s Hudson History Room. After the death of Grace Johnston (the last remaining resident daughter) the house was sold in 1950.
Over the years, about eight different families have lived in the house. Of special interest is the Jim Tobin family who owned the house from 1968 to 1997. Tobin was the owner of the famous Tobin’s Pizza in Bloomington for 34 years. In 2014, Kelly Tobin, Jim’s son, bought and renovated the house. Kelly and Dawn Tobin were the owners from 2014 until 2020. The current owners of this stately house are Holly Hedges and Tara Hedges.
