This long-lived partnership represents the work of J. Linden Heacock and Oscar M. Hokanson. This firm designed a number of residences, including those for developer William T. B. Roberts, but they also undertook considerable school design, perhaps encouraged by Heacock's position as trustee with both the Friends Central School and the Elwyn Training School (Media, PA). When other Philadelphia firms faltered during the Depression years, Heacock & Hokanson continued to design schools for suburban school districts such as Abington, Haverford, Yeadon, and Buckingham.

J. Linden Heacock (1876-1961) was born in Moberly, MO, the son of Edward and Helen Heacock. After attending public schools in both St. Louis, MO, and New York State, his family moved to Pennsylvania; and the young Heacock graduated from high school in Chelten Hills, PA, in 1891. He then entered the University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1895 with his B.S. in Architecture. After graduation he served an apprenticeship with Hales & Ballinger, working from 1895 to 1896 as draftsman and building superintendant. However, by 1896 he had opened his own office in Wyncote, PA, and was accepting independent projects, the first of these, not surprisingly, a residence in Melrose, PA, for a member of the Heacock family. In 1899 Heacock was joined in practice by University of Pennsylvania classmate Oscar M. Hokanson, and the office of Heacock & Hokanson was launched. This partnership would endure for some 40 years, chiefly relying on school commissions for their success. Although local records indicate that he retired in 1940, Heacock actually acquired a new partner (John Wooler Platt) and initiated a new firm, Heacock & Platt, an office which would endure until Heacock's death in 1961. Following the elder Heacock's death, his son, Joseph Linden Heacock, Jr. succeeded his father in the partnership.

In addition to his membership in the AIA, Heacock served as president of the Pennsylvania Society of Architects and also held a membership in the Manufacturers Club of Philadelphia.

Oscar M. Hokanson (1871-1951) was born in St. Paul, MN, and graduated from high school there. After spending some time as an apprentice to architect A. F. Gauger of St. Paul (three years) and to John H. Coxhead of Buffalo, NY, and Washington, DC, he moved to Philadelphia and enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania, receiving his Certificate of Proficiency in Architecture in 1895. Following graduation, he was employed for two years by Frank Miles Day and another year by Cope & Stewardson. In 1899 he and classmate J. Linden Heacock established Heacock & Hokanson, with offices at 931 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. In later years the partners were joined by Charles Scheuringer; and following Heacock's retirement, Hokanson and Scheuringer continued the work of the firm until Hokanson's retirement in January 1950. Over the course of his career Hokanson received several honors, including the silver medal in the Robert Clark Competition held in Chicago in 1896, second honors in the first Stewardson Scholarship of 1896 and an honorable mention in that competition in 1898 (when the design project was "A City Church for a Protestant Episcopal Congregation"), and fifth prize (as Heacock & Hokanson) in the competition for the Fulton Memorial of 1909. As an undergraduate he served as treasurer and founder of the Architectural Alumni Society.

Hokanson joined the T-Square Club in 1897 and the AIA in 1911. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Baptist Social Union.

Written by Sandra L. Tatman.