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KILROY HOUSE
Dr. Philip Kilroy had this stucco building constructed in 1905 as his home and office for a cost of $11,000. Its tile roof, stained glass windows and wood paneled interior earned an early description of "model of elegance".
Dr. Kilroy was born in County Cavan, Ireland, in 1866 and came to the United States with his parents in 1880. After receiving degrees from Holy Cross College and Harvard medical School, he studied at the University of Vienna and the University of Paris. Returning to Springfield, he became well respected as a neurologist, dermatologist and as an "alienist" (psychiatrist). His obituary in 1932 described him as "a brilliant member" of the medical profession and spoke of "his unusual intellectual qualities and extraordinary breadth of his interests".
Shortly after his death, the house was purchased by WSPR, the third radio station in the city, which broadcast from here from 1936 to 1981.
The building was purchased by the Springfield Library & Museums Association and today it houses the administrative offices for the Marketing, Development and Public Relations Department. Kilroy House is part of the Quadrangle-Mattoon Street Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. |