The college president's residence was completed in 1901 and was first occupied by the Beardshears.  Mrs. A.B. Storms named it The Knole after a baronial estate in England, but President Pearson, Storms' successor, thought the spelling was a mistake and changed it to The Knoll.
 

Our grounds are right with autumn red and gold - and beautiful in the warm sunshine.  I.S.C. has a new Pres. (Pearson) who will occupy this house.  With best wishes

This 1950s photo, taken from the south lawn of the house, shows the Knoll before extensive remodeling in 1966. (Farwell T. Brown Photographic Archive)

This 1885 photo looks northwest at central campus from a position on Knoll Hill.  Old Main (with two towers) is in the center where today's Beardshear Hall now stands, with Sanitary Hall (one spire) at the left of the image where the Memorial Union would stand today.  To the immediate right of Old Main is Margaret Hall, and in front of Margaret Hall is Old South Hall.  College Creek flows north under a bridge on a road which no longer exists. (Private Collection of the Morrison family)