PRESERVATION A,ND CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION VOLUME 23 NOVEMBER-DECEMBEFt2003 NUMBER6

National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of our coun- try's cultural resources worth preserv- ing. It was authorized by Congress in 1966 with the National Historic Pres- ervation Act. This act directed the Secretary of the Intenor to compile an official list of cultural resources in the United States worth preserving, including "sites, buildings, objects, districts, and structures significant in American history, architecture, arch- aeology and culture" and to include those which are significant to the The Virginia Theatre, 203 w: Park, Champaign, was listed on the National Register of Historic nation, states, or local communities. Places on November 28, 2003. To date, forty-six individual buildings and one district in Champaign County are on the National Register. Four listed buildings have been demolished. After the Act was passed, the Secre- Prior to 1966~Americans interested in vents an owner from changing his tary of the Interior chose to decentral- the physical evidences of their history, property. This is not true. Theieis no ize the responsibilities given him by $hether at the local, state or national restriction in this law that prevents writing to each of the governors of the levels, had no legal voice in how their property owners from doing what respective states and territories, and tax dollars were spent on projects they want with their own property, asking them to appoint an individual which would affect the existing built with their own money. There is also within the state government who environment. At that time, the urban no obligation on the part of the pri- could carry out these responsibilities. renewal program of the Department vate citizen to give the public access Thus, each state has an appo~nted of Housing and Urban Development to his house unless he has received State Historic Preservation Officer was demolishing vast areas of Amer- grant money through this program (SHPO). In , the program is ican cities, and the new Department which he has spent on the interior or administered by the Illinois Historic of Transportation was plowing elsewhere which cannot be readily Preservation Agency (IHPA). through built resources of past gener- seen from the public right-of-way. In ations to put into place the interstate that case, he has an obligation to Philosophically, the National Register highway program.. show how he spent taxpayers' money is an attempt on the part of Congress by agreeing to open his house 12 days to bring the voice of American citi- The National Register is a restriction a year if requested by the SHPO's zens interested in the preservation of on the Federal government-not the office. the national patrimony into the dia- private citizen-on how it affects pri- logue of change at the planning table vate citizens and their property with Levels of Significance before Federal tax dollars are spent the use of Federal tax dollars and/or Placing a building on the National and Federal licenses issued which Federallicense(). It is a common mis- Register is a recognition that it has would affect such resources. conception that placement of private value and significance to either the property on the National Register pre- whole nation or the state or the city/county. These are the three basic Tax Incentives for Restoration reviewed by the Preservation Services , levels of significance on which a site, For a least fhe past twenty years.,the Division and a state review board, the building, object, district, or structure various changes in Federal tax laws Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Coun- placed on the National Register have brought tax benefits Jor placing cil. If it is approved by the Council ' should be considered. All sites, build- buildings, sites, objects, and districts and the SHPO, it is then signed and ings, objects, and districts on the on the National Register. Tax incen- sent to the Department of the Interior Register are not nationally significant, tives are attractive to the development for consideration for inclusion on the nor are they necessarily of statewide world and encourage the retention National Register. Final designation is

significance. Indeed it is at the local , and recycling of buildings rather than made by the . level of significance that the most tearing them down and replacing Properties are evaluated according to important value of the National them. Income-producing properties, established criteria that outline the Register resides. Buildings, sites, such as businesses and apartment significance and physical integrity objects, districts, and structures of buildings, c~ take advantage of the needed for designation. local significance give the'ir}dividual Federal Income Tax Incentive Pro- living in the community a'sense of . gram and receIve a 20% tax credit for Advantages of Listing locality and, place and id~ntity. They a certified rehabilitation. In Illrnoisi a There are two major advantages of give the visitor a sense of the unique- special program offers owners of sin- being on the National Register. A ness of the community which he is gle-family homes a Property Tax' degree of funding (which varies froin' visiting; He knows, for exa,mple, if the Assessment Freeze for eight years, administration to administration and local environment ofa town or city is also for certified rehabilitations. Fur- is at the states'discretion; however, maintained and the intangible values ther information on either of these tax there has been no grant money avail- of the historicity of the existing build- incentives is available from IHPA . able since the Nixon Administration), ings are recognized, rehabilitated and (217.785.4512). and recourse to the Advisory Council

retained, then they are in that city or , on Historic Preservation, also created that town, not elsewhere. Most of the country has long since by the National Historic Preservation recognized that new bricks and mor- Act. The Advisory Council consists of It is for that reason that local build- tar do not necessarily equate to pro- certain members of the President's , ings apd cgmplexes such as the gress without a thoughtful, Wtellig~t Cabinet and private citiz~ns appoint- Orpheum Theatre or the VI Experi- value judgement being made on ed by the President. Its deliberations mental Dairy Farm (Round Barns) are whether what is being lost is any bet- come into play when there is a federal abundantly important not only to the ter or worse than what is being threat to an entry on the National people who live in Champaign- gained. That concept appears to be Register or a place eligible for the Urbana, but to visitors as well, as rather slimly established in Cham- National Register. If those differences manifestations of what makes Cham- paign-Urbana where economic pres- of opinion over what is being planned paign County. Visitors cannot see sure on campus area land tends to with Federal dollars or licenses versus these places in Alabama; such build- exacerbate the issue. Residents need what is already there cannot be , ings never developed there and theI:e- to take cognizance of this fact and resolved locally, then these questions fore do not exist. As local and vernac- consider reassessing their interpreta':' are referred to the Advisory Council ular as the Round Barns appear, they tion of "progress." The National on Historic Preservation. It then are abundantly important as a major Historic Preservation Act was passed makes a recommendation to the mem- contribution of Illinois to the collec- by Congress to help individuals deter- ber of the Cabinet whose department tive national heritage and, as such, mine what gives them their sense of is providing the Federal dollars or need to be preserved and placed on locality and place, and to instill a licenses to implement the proposed the National Register. From the sense of pride of heritage and richness changes. The Advisory Council can national view point, they have the , of the past, which enriches current recommend that the project affecting same level of importance as a Lincoln and future generations. , the National Register property should site or the state capitol. They are con- proceed, be stopped, be reorganized, tributors to the sense of place, and Nomination Process be redesigned, or be placed else- reveal the local heritage of the state of The National Park Service. has created where. Its authority is advisory, how- Illinois. Placement on the National criteria which should be followed in ever, and does not include the author- Register also ensures that these exist- submitting nominations to the Nat- ity to actually stop projects. This ing elements on the land will be taken ional Register. Anyone can nominate a review process is colloquially termed into consideration during,the plan- place for designation in the National "106 Review" after the section in the ning process when Federally funded, Register, although an owner's permis- law. PACA made use of the 106 assisted, and licensed projects may sion is required for private property Review process to save the Hazen affect the areas where they are found. to be officially listed. Applications are Bridge, north of Mahomet, which was Listings for Champaign County as of St., C; February 28,1991 December, 2003 Elm Street Court. 1-8ElmSt. Crt., (108 Buena Vista Court), V;J1lne15,2000 Phi Delta Thef<\Fraternity House, 309 E. NOTE: Listings are given by the official . Chalmers5t., C; pending National Register Historic Name of the Farm House (University of Illinois), 1403 building or structure, addresslIocation E. Loredo TaftDr.,V; October 31, 1989 PhI Mu Sorority House, 706W. Ohio St., and city, and date listed in the National V; May 21, 1990 Register. Fraternity and Sorority Houses at th~ Vrbana-Champaign Campus of the Nathan C. Ricker House, 612W. Green St., Alpha Delta Pi Sorority House, 1202W. Vniversityof Illinois Multiple Property V; June 21, 2000 Nevada St., V; November 8,2000 Submission; July 18, 1989 Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity House, Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity House, 310 E. Gamma Phi BetaSorority House, 1110W. 211 E. Daniel St., C; February 22,1990 John St., C; April 21, 1990 ' Nevada St., V;October 28,1994 Tina Weedon Smith Memorial Hall Alpha Rho Chi Fraternity House, 1108S. Greek RevivalCottage, 303 W.Vniversity (University of Illinois), 805S.Mathews First St., C; May 23, 1997 Ave., (LealPark) V; october 20, 1977 Ave., V; February 29, 1996

Alpha Xi Delta Sorority House, 715 W. , 17E. Vniversity Ave.,C; Stone Arch Bridge, Springfield Avenue & Michigan Ave., V; August 28,1989 October 20,1989 Second Street, C; May 14,1981

Altgeld Hall (University of Illinois) Hazen Bridge, Newcomb TowrishipRoad Vnitarian Church of V~bana,1209W. Wright & John Streets, V; April 17, 1970 85, Mahomet Vicinity; May 6,1994 Oregon St., V; May 13, 1991. (individually & as Ricker Thematic) Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity House, 1110 Vniversity of Illinois Astronomical Ater-Jaques House, 207 W. Elm St., V; S. Second St., C; May 21,1990 Observatory, .901S. Mathews Ave., V; August 1,1996; demolished June 20,1999 November 19, 1986 (National Register) Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority House, . December 20,1989 (National Historic Bailey-Rugg Building, 219-225 N. Neil St., 1102 S. Lincoln Ave., U; pending Landmark) C; November 7, -1997 ' Kappa Sigma Fraternity House, 212 E. Vniversity of Illinois Buildings by Charles Beta Theta Phi Frate~ty House, 202 E. Daniel St., C; August 28, 1989 . A. Platt, Thematic nomination; August 11, Daniel St., C; August 28, 1989 2000 Lincoln Building, 44 E. Main St., C; Building at 201 N. Market St., C; August 1,1996 'Vniversity of Illinois Experimental Dairy November 7,1997- Farm Historic District, 1201 W. St. Mary's Lincoln Statue, Carle Park, V; pending Rd., V; February 4,1994 . Building at 203-205 N. Market St., C; November 7,1997 Library (UI, Platt building), 1408 W. V.S.Post Office,Randolph & Church Gregory Dr.,-V; AugUst 11, 2000 Streets, C; August 17,1976 , 306 W. Church St., C; June 7, 1978 Mahomet Graded School, Main St., Virginia Theater, 203 W. Park St., C; Mahomet; December, 1987; demolished, November 28, 2003 , 102 E..Vniversity Ave., C; August, 1988 August 19,1975 Vriner's Confectionery, 55 Main St., C; Metal Shop (UI Ricker Thematic); 102 S. May 9, 1983 Chemical Laboratory (UI Ricker Burrill Ave., V; November 19, 1986 Thematic), 1305 W. Green St., V; demolished,1992 Warm Air Research Residence, 1108 W~ November 6,1986 . Stoughton St., V; June 12;2001 Military Drill Hall & Men's Gymnasium Chi Psi Fraternity House, 912S.Second (UI, Ricker Thematic),1402-1406 W. Women's Residence Hall/West Residence St., C; February 22, 1990;demolished Springfield Ave., V; November 19, 1986 Hall (UI, Platt Thematic), (Busey-Evans March 1994 . Hall), 1111-1115 W. Nevada St., 0; Mqrrow Plots (Vniversity of Illinois) February 5, 2003 Oark R. Gpggs House, 505W. Main St., Gregory Drive at Mathews Ave., V; May V; November 30, 1978 . 23, 1968 (National Historic. Landmark) , Women'sGymnasium (OI,Platt Thematic) (Freer Hall), 906S. Goodwin St.,U; Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity House, Natural History Building (UI Ricker February 5, 2003 313 E.John St., C; February 22, 1990 Thematic), 1301W.Green Sf.,V; November 19;1986 Delta Upsilon Fraternity House, 312 E. Armory Ave., C; May 21,1990 New Orpheum Theatre, 346 ~352 N. Neil scheduled for demolition once a new From the President's Desk Downtown to Campus Plan, the goal bridge was in place. of the ordinance was to create busi- On Friday night, November 28, the ness and residential development that Conclusion PACA Salvage warehouse was broken is compatible with existing structures The National Historic Preservation into again. The theft was discovered and to encourage the adaptive use of Act and the resulting National about 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, the larger, older homes. The revised ordi- Register and Advisory Council set up police were called, and evidence gath- nance changes the membership of the a checks-and-balance system which ered. Someone(s)jumped the fence Development Review Board (DRB) brings the voice of citizens concerned and kicked in the plexiglass on the and adds design review criteria for for the historic environment into the east door. They found the money for new development. Previously, the planning process before tax dollars making change in the office and broke DRB consisted of five city staff mem- bers. Now it will be a seven-member are spent or Federal licenses are into the pop machine (that is now issued. They allow a dialogue about inoperable) for change. We have citizen board with members including the importance that historic places replaced the side door with a pair of a licenseq. architect, the owner of a have in the local environment in doors that had been salvaged from 2 business with less than 40 employees, which we live and the environment Main Street, Champaign. Our options a resident of the district, a resident which we hope to bequeath to our for better security include the installa- who lives in the district or within 250 children. Development and the use of tion of a security alarm/motion detec- feet of it, a local developer, a member land quite naturally benefit individual tor system and never leaving money of the Historic Preservation Commis- landowners, but preservation indeed at the warehouse at any time. This is sion, and a member of the Plan Com- affects us all in the long run, positive- the third break-in we have had at the mission. PACA appreciates the efforts ly or negatively. warehouse this year. We were robbed of city staff, the city planning cmd his- twice in June, when power tools, . toric preservation commissions, the The National Historic Preservation money, cind the truck were stolen. The city council, and concerned citizens Act was conceived and exists to help tools and truck was later recovered that moved this process forward in a us weave those tangible and intangi- but the engine was damaged beyond few short months. If you feel qualified ble values of America's rich, collective repair, given the age of the truck. To and are willing to serve on this new cultural contributions into the fabric date, we have not replaced the truck. board, contact the Mayor's office. of our current life. Without doing that If you know of a good used box truck, to protect our environment, citizens of that is moderate in size, let us know. Habitat for lIumanity of Champaign the future may not have a sound Also of note, no arrests have been and Piatt Counties . grasp of who they are and where they made for any of these incidents. Laura Huth has been named the new come from, or where they want to go. Executive Director of our local City of Urbana Habitat Office beginning on January This article was adaptedfrom an article Urbana City Council members recent- 5. Laura replaces Judy Bryan, who by William J. Murtagh, the first Keeper of ly passed major revisions to the MOR left the position in October to become the National Register of Historic Places district in West Urbana. The area is executive director of a Habitat for prirlfed in HISTORIC HAWAl'I, roughly West Green and West Elm Humanity center in Concord, Calif. January, 1990. streets between Busey and Cedar The local Habitat chapter formed in streets. Created in 1990 as part of the 1991 and has since built 34 homes, P.A.C.A. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY TYPE INFORMATION: o Adult $15 New o NAME: o Student $10 o Renewal o SeniorCitizen $10 ADDRESS: o Family $20 PACA o Corporate $75 Box 2575, STATIONA CHAMPAIGN.IL 61825 PHONE: o Additional Contribution _ WWW.PACACC.ORG 2173597222 E-MAIL: MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO PACA

Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. three in Piatt County and the rest in ' Over Ten Year Members Special Thanks Sue Feldman & Pius Weibel Champaign County. In May,the . organization opened its local office <::arolyn & Norman Baxley - Historic Champaign Asphalt Company for and Homeworks, a home improve- Urbana Properties (Corporate) grading an<;lasphalting the east side Jane c. Anderson ment and furnishings store in the old yard at the salvage warehouse. In Trent Shepard Champaign Surplus building on East addition, they poured a footing and . Tony & Mary Graham University Avenue in downtown . set the historic streetlight. Victoria Corkery Champaign. The store sells new and Bruce & Colleen Brodie used building materials, as well as Herriott's Coffee Company, 24 E. Gerald O'Bryan carpeting, cabinets, bathroom fi~tures, . Alice Berkson Columbia, Champaign for supplying furniture, and more. PACA has coop- our deliCious Saturday morning cof- Five to Ten Year Members erated with Habitat in sending dona- fee. tions of newer items, that are not Julia Saville Donald Walden appropriate for reuse in older homes, Shouting Ground for being PACA's Bill Rauv,rolf to their facility. In turn, Habitat has internet service provider and hosting Marya Ryan b{ought a number of items to our our web site: pacacc.org. Betsey & John Cronan facility. Janus Woods David & Jan Sholem Volunteer Opportunities The salvage warehouse can always Salvage Donations One to Four Year Members Jim Proefrock & Marlo Welshons. use help, even if it is only for few City of Champaign hours a month. While the warehouse Gillispie-~oland Apartments Lois Steinberg is getting better organized all the Marci Dodds Penny Massell Michelle Morneau Brad LaPayne time, it is a constant struggle to keep Darcy Bean, Sr. ~athy Reeves up with sorting and storing new Ray & Marilyn Harrison materials. Storage racks still need to Salvage V.I.P.'s Steve & Karen Ross be built on the west wall to better Bob Swisher Greg Stock organize doors and plumbiilg' fixtures Rich Cahill Susan Taylor and a light fixture display grid is Mike Miller Samuel Furrer needed on the ceiling. The old boiler Bill.Odenweller New Members in the basement is being readied for Rich Taylor . removal and then this small basement Champaign Asphalt Company Verde Gallery (Corporate) Darrel Foste Art Howard area will become a place to storelild- Dan Leasure Tony & Patti Aguirre ders, carts; and display items. All of Nicole Swiss Becky Weber these efforts need people who love to Mike Richards Dana Robinson build or organize. In March we will Brian Duffield Carol Anderson need volunteers for the Home Show New & Renewing Memberships and in May for the Kids' Building Remember to checkyour mailing labelfor (received since the last newsletter) , your membership renewal date. The date Fair, so mark your calendars now. Charter Members (1981-1983) shown indicates when you last renewed; Mark & Kirstin Replogle membership runs for one year from that date. Until the next issue, next year, all the Anne A. Ehrlich best, Mary Blair Richard Cahill, President ReX'& Karen Kummer

PACA Newsletter P.O.Box2575,Station A, Champaign, IL 61825 NON-PROFIT Richard Cahill, President ORG. Kathy Reeves, Vice-President U.S. POSTAGE Robert Nemeth, Secretary Lou Simpson, Treasurer PAID Karen Lang Kummer, Exec.Director C,HAMPAIGN, IL PERMIT NO. 133 359-PACA: Telephone & Answering Service website: pacac<;:.org e-mail: [email protected] Printed on recycled paper

Old Buildirtgs Make Great Friends!