After a year off in 2020, Illinois historic preservationists on Wednesday announced their list of the state’s most endangered historic places, structures and sites they say are architecturally and culturally significant but at risk of being lost forever.
Landmarks Illinois unveiled its list of nine locations — six of them in Chicago or suburban counties — at a news conference Wednesday designed to draw attention to the potential loss of these sites, some of which are well-known as others degrade in relative anonymity.
“Communities are passionate about their historic and culturally significant places, yet too often lack the resources necessary to maintain and preserve them,” Bonnie McDonald, president and CEO of Landmarks Illinois, said in a statement. The list “demonstrates the demand for creative solutions, partnerships and incentives to give places of our past a chance for reuse and renewed life.”
The group declined to release an annual list in the spring of 2020, saying it felt it was “inappropriate to focus on buildings when people were endangered.”
Chicago’s James R. Thompson Center made the list for a fourth consecutive time. After years of discussion, the Helmut Jahn-designed glass and tile structure that slouches toward Randolph and Clark streets went up for sale a few days ago.
What will happen to the 1985 Loop building after it is sold remains a mystery, but the preservation society wants it reused for a new purpose rather than significantly altered or demolished to make way for a skyscraper.
“Landmarks Illinois understands a sale of the Thompson Center would bring needed revenue to the State of Illinois. Still, terms of the deal should include retaining and reusing this irreplaceable building,” the group said.
The list doesn’t just include downtown behemoths eyed by big-time real estate developers. It also contains more architecturally humble locations that hold enormous cultural significance. Making the list for the first time are the state’s “Green Book” sites.
“The Negro Motorist Green Book” was published between the 1930s and 1960s as a guide for Black people who faced refusal of service and the threat of violence in some areas while traveling, including in Illinois in so-called “sundown towns.” The guidebook was the eponymous title of an Oscar-winning 2018 feature film starring Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen.
The book directed readers to lodging, dining and service options that would be friendly to Black travelers, sometimes including private homes or out-of-the-way establishments that could be easily lost to disrepair or demolition without their past role in America’s racial apartheid system being noted.
“One of the reasons we wanted to highlight the ‘Green Book’ sites is because of how much work still needs to be done,” said Frank Butterfield, director of the group’s Springfield office. “Initial research shows more than 250 sites from the ‘Green Book’ in Illinois, but how many of those remain is unclear. We really want to highlight the stories of those who visited or operated these places.”
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Locations of endangered structures
The Mid-Town tourist home shown below in East St. Louis is one of a number of endangered “Green Book” sites across the state, including some in Chicago.
Source: Landmarks Illinois
To that end, the group is asking for “citizen researchers” to help it take stock of that long list of locations. Some are likely to be in disrepair or even long gone, demolished by owners who might not have known they held the deed to a piece of history.
The process, McDonald said, could be as simple as driving past a site near someone’s home and reporting whether it’s still standing and occupied. Anyone interested in aiding the project, or who knows those who operated or patronized “Green Book” businesses, is encouraged to reach out to Butterfield.
“Preservation is about more than just architecture. It’s about people. It’s about places where we share our values, history, identity. Even where we tell difficult stories, like the ‘Green Book’ sites,” McDonald said in an interview Wednesday. “It’s not just pretty buildings, so to speak.”
Here’s the full list:
Altgeld Gardens Shop Building and school buildings C and E, Chicago
Known as the “Up-Top,” the wavy-roofed retail building in the Chicago Housing Authority’s Altgeld Gardens housing complex is privately owned and in demolition court, according to Landmarks Illinois. The building, built during World War II, hosts a painted memorial wall for those who died of pollution-related illness and violence.
Neighborhood residents have told Landmarks Illinois they hope the “Up-Top” will be converted into a grocery store.
James R. Thompson Center, Chicago
Long on the endangered list, the Thompson Center appears to be having its sale hurried along by the state’s COVID-19-exacerbated budget shortfall in 2020. April 2, 2022, is the targeted sale date.
Klas Restaurant, Cicero
Vacant and up for sale, with no historical protection, the Cermak Road building long served as an anchor of Czech culture in the region since it was constructed in 1922, the group said.
The owner received a demolition permit from the city that has since expired, according to McDonald. A new buyer who can rehab the building and restore artistic features, including indoor murals, is being sought.
Illinois Terminal Interurban Station, Decatur
A building that was first a rail station, then a church, the structure’s current owners, the Faith Community Assembly, expect to sell the 1931 building, Landmark Illinois said.
Broadview Hotel, East St. Louis
Built in 1927, the hotel, which has fallen into disrepair, could be used as more than 100 housing units for seniors, Landmarks Illinois said, but the hotel needs an act of the Illinois General Assembly to expand a tax credit for the redevelopment.
Scott Foresman headquarters, Glenview
Itself a textbook example of midcentury modern design, the 1966 textbook publishing corporate campus is a type of structure that is particularly vulnerable, preservationists say, as many companies downsize their office holdings. Lots were already leaving office campuses in the suburbs in favor of new downtown locations before COVID-19 struck.
Preservationists suggest it could be re-purposed as a school, daycare campus or fitness center.
Havana Water Tower, Havana
Built in 1889, the National Register-listed water tower needs extensive rehab work from top to bottom, the group says. The city does not have funding for the extensive repairs and the site continues to deteriorate.
Joliet Steel Mill main office building, Joliet
A 130-year-old part of the Joliet Steel Works National Register Historic District, the building has been neglected by U.S. Steel, which still owns the structure, Landmarks Illinois says. Productive discussions between U.S. Steel, which still owns the building, and the city are recently underway, McDonald said.
‘Green Book’ sites statewide
A contemporary Underground Railroad of sorts, many “Green Book” sites are often unassuming private homes or buildings that catered to Black travelers. Many have already been lost to demolition or redevelopment, and any number of structures could suffer the same fate without owners even knowing of their historic significance. The group is working with Route History to document the history of “Green Book” sites along Illinois’ historic Route 66, but seeks a larger-scale documentation and preservation effort.
For 2019’s list, click here.
Join our Chicagoland history Facebook group for more from Chicago’s past.
charjohnson@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @Charliemagne
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