Blackstone built a 19th-century mansion for himself at 252 Michigan Avenue in Chicago in what is now the Historic Michigan Boulevard District . The property later became the site of the Blackstone Hotel and the Blackstone Theatre . Following the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 , he invited his friend John Crerar to stay with him , which Crerar did for twelve years . Crerar donated the John Crerar Library and Blackstone continued to donate funds toward the maintenance of the building throughout his life . The Crerar Library has now merged with the University of Chicago
Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
Timothy Blackstone