Preservation News Roundup: January 2026

Landmarks Illinois welcomes Latinos in Heritage Conservation in Chicago

Earlier this month, members of the Landmarks Illinois team met with our partners from Latinos in Heritage Conservation, a nationwide organization dedicated to the preservation of Latinx places, stories and cultural heritage. Landmarks Illinois is proudly serving as LHC’s local partner for its Congreso: Latinx Heritage Leadership Summit 2026, a national gathering bringing Latinx leaders, preservation practitioners, artists, scholars and community organizers together. Held every two years in a different city, this year’s Congreso will take place in Chciago from August 19-21 at the Palmer House. LHC Executive Director Sehila Mota Casper, Director of Development Leyden A. Mendez and Director of Communications Raffaela Hartman joined Landmarks Illinois at its office on January 7 to discuss plans for Congreso. Early registration is now available. Learn more below in our Upcoming Events section below, or visit LHC’s Congreso website.

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Pike House rehabilitation plan progresses

This month, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved a long-term partnership agreement with the Eugene S. Pike House Foundation and Beverly Area Arts Alliance that will allow the two organizations to rehabilitate and reuse the Eugene S. Pike House, owned by the Cook County Forest Preserves.
The groups plan to transform the long-vacant home into the Pike House Community Cultural Center, offering cultural and creative arts programming and residencies where artists, writers and musicians throughout and beyond Metropolitan Chicago can come to complete creative projects, according to a press release.

Landmarks Illinois included the late 19th-century Pike House on its 2022 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois. Located in the Dan Ryan Woods within the National Register-listed Ridge Historic District, the home was formerly used as a “Watchman’s Residence” for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.

The Eugene S. Pike House Foundation and Beverly Area Arts Alliance said the new partnership agreement with Cook County is the “crucial final step” required for the foundation to accept a $1.5 million capital grant from the State of Illinois to support the rehabilitation project. It is also monumental as it is the first agreement of its kind for the Cook County Forest Preserves, establishing a new model for community-driven preservation and reuse of historic structures on public land.

“This long-term partnership agreement marks a pivotal moment for the preservation of the Eugene S. Pike House and one many years in the making,” said Kendra Parzen, Advocacy Manager for Landmarks Illinois, in the group’s press release. “Since including the property on our 2022 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois list, we have been proud to partner with the Eugene S. Pike House Foundation and the Beverly Area Arts Alliance to prevent the loss of the architecturally significant site. We commend their persistence and unwavering dedication to transform and revitalize a long-vacant landmark, creating a vibrant cultural center for the community.”

Grace Kuikman, president of the Eugene S. Pike House Foundation, said the Pike House’s “Most Endangered” listing was monumental for the preservation of the historic property.

“It was getting the Pike House included on Landmarks Illinois’ ‘Most Endangered’ list that was the catalyst for forming the foundation and partnering with the Beverly Area Arts Alliance to submit a proposal to the Forest Preserves for saving and repurposing the house,” Kuikman said in the press release.

 (Pictured from left: Beverly Area Arts Alliance President Sal Campbell, Eugene S. Pike House Foundation President Grace Kuikman, State Senator Willie Preston, Eugene S. Pike House Foundation Board member Tina Jenkins Bell, and Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore. Credit: Eugene S. Pike House Foundation)

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Historic Geneva blacksmith shop saved from demolition, again

This month, the Geneva City Council again denied a demolition request by the owner of the historic former Alexander Brothers Blacksmith Shop, also formerly home to the Mill Race Inn. This is the third time the owner, Shodeen Group, has asked the city for the right to tear down the local landmark built in the 1840s.

Landmarks Illinois has advocated for the preservation of the former blacksmith shop for the better part of the past decade, first calling attention to it and other early settlement-era buildings in Geneva on our 2018 Most Endangered list. We also included the structure on our 2023 Most Endangered list.

This one-story limestone building is one of the oldest surviving commercial structures in Geneva and represents the community’s industrial history. Shodeen first requested to demolish the structure in 2017 to build a new housing development on the site. That request was denied, and in 2018, the City of Geneva locally landmarked the building. Another demolition request came in 2022, which was again denied.

In an op-ed published January 8 in the Daily Herald, Landmarks Illinois Advocacy Manager Kendra Parzen said Shodeen has failed to properly maintain the historic structure over the years and is banking on the community growing tired of seeing it in a state of disrepair. The ramifications would be widespread if Geneva allowed the building to be demolished.

“For one, it would set a dangerous precedent in Geneva, giving property owners the green light to neglect and tear down historic landmarks if they’re willing to wait out public opinion,” Parzen wrote.

It also threatens to undermine Geneva’s historic preservation ordinance, which encourages new developments to be constructed in harmony with the city’s historic buildings and neighborhoods.

Read the full op-ed below.

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Upcoming Grant Application Deadline: April 1

Landmarks Illinois is accepting applications for the next round of funding through our Preservation Heritage Fund and the Barbara C. and Thomas E. Donnelley II Preservation Fund for Illinois.

These grant programs provide financial assistance to preserve or protect significant structures and sites in Illinois. Visit our website to learn more about qualifying projects for each grant fund and to submit an application.

(Pictured: R. Harold Zook Home and Studio in Hinsdale, a 2025 Donnelley grant recipient.)

Learn more & apply

La Grange gives green light to demolish unique Art Deco building in historic district

In LaGrange, village officials unfortunately approved a plan this month to demolish the historic Jackson Square Antique Mall to make way for a new, five-story condo building. The antique mall, at 112 E. Burlington Ave., was built in 1903 as a storage warehouse and designed by noted warehouse architect George Kinglsey. It is a unique example of Egyptian Revival Art Deco style.

LaGrange Village Board of Trustees approved the building’s demolition on January 12 despite widespread community opposition. More than 2,000 people signed a petition to support saving the building, CBS News reported.

Landmarks Illinois became engaged in the antique mall preservation effort last fall. Advocacy Manager Kendra Parzen spoke at the October La Grange Planning Commission meeting, opposing demolition of the antique mall and a building at 5 6th Avenue. Both buildings are contributing to the La Grange Village National Register Historic District. The commission ultimately voted 5-2 to recommend approval of demolition to the La Grange Village Board at that meeting.

The demolition of the historic building is a major blow for La Grange. As ABC 7 Chicago reported, the loss of the building “could permanently alter the heart of downtown.”

Crystal Lake loses one of its oldest historic structures

Demolition of a historic building was also underway this month in Crystal Lake. The former Academy Building, also known as the Gates House and the Tarpley House, was torn down. The structure stood on the property of the Trinity Episcopal Parish’s St. Mary’s Church at 210 McHenry Ave. The building, constructed in the late 1800s, served as Crystal Lake’s first school. According to the Chicago Tribune, the Greek revival and federalist-style building was constructed using cobblestones from Lake Michigan.

The church applied for a demolition permit in 2024, claiming it was cost-prohibitive to insure and maintain the historic building. Last February, at the request of the Crystal Lake Historic Preservation Commission, Landmarks Illinois facilitated a pro bono condition assessment of the former Academy Building. Landmarks Illinois Board Member Gary Anderson, of Studio GWA, conducted the assessment and found it to be structurally sound and could be renovated for a new use. Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. also conducted a follow-up pro bono structural assessment.

Local advocates were able to document the building before it was torn down, the Northwest Herald reported.

Latest edition of The Arch is out!

Read the January 2026 edition at our website!

The Arch is Landmarks Illinois’ biannual publication, which offers in-depth yet accessible articles on preservation topics, advocacy efforts, upcoming events and interviews with leaders in the field.

In this edition, we highlight the Route 66 Centennial and how Illinois plans to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the Mother Road. We also provide updates on major advocacy efforts, recent grant recipients and talk about how preservation impacts the health of our communities.

Read the Arch

2025 Most Endangered site in St. Charles will be saved from demolition, rehabilitated

A unique agreement between the City of St. Charles, a church and a private developer will save the historic Judge William D. Barry House, included on Landmarks Illinois 2025 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois, and allow for its rehabilitation.

Local developer Geneva Heights LLC has agreed to purchase the historic home from Baker Memorial United Methodist Church with assistance from city TIF funds. Geneva Heights will purchase the Judge Barry House and a house next door for $525,000, with $125,000 coming from the city. The developer will restore the Barry House to historic standards and support efforts to locally landmark the property, as part of the agreement. The developer is also eligible to receive an additional $50,000 from the city to help fund exterior restoration, the Aurora Beacon News reported. The agreement was decided at the St. Charles Planning and Development Committee meeting on January 12.

The Judge Barry House is a Greek Revival-style house built in 1844 by active citizen and Illinois attorney Judge William D. Barry. It sits prominently in St. Charles’ Downtown Central Historic District. Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, however, sought to tear the house down to create a parking lot, erasing history and the opportunity to adaptively reuse the early settlement site. This led Landmarks Illinois to include it on the 2025 Most Endangered list and urge city officials to deny any demolition request.

(Photo credit: Paul Morgan)

2017 Most Endangered site listed in National Register

Norway Temperance Hall, a Landmarks Illinois 2017 Most Endangered site, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places this month.

Built in 1909 by the Methodist Church, the Norway Temperance Hall once served as a social and educational center in the community. This small hall in unincorporated Norway tells the story of the temperance movement as part of the Norwegian-American experience. At the time of its Most Endangered listing, local advocates had been trying to purchase and restore the building, which was in need of significant repair. The structure had suffered from water infiltration, a shifting foundation and cracking walls. In 2024, the owners donated the building to the Norsk Museum, which had long hoped to preserve the structure to create a community center or museum extension.

The Norway Temperance Hall joins other significant sites in LaSalle County listed in the National Register, including the Hauge Lutheran Church (home to the Norsk Museum) in Norway, the Hegeler Carus Mansion (a Landmarks Illinois easement property) and Hotel Kaskaskia, both in LaSalle.

Other Illinois historic sites added this month to the National Register of Historic Places are:

Burr Oak Cemetery Historic District in Alsip, J. P. Smith Shoe Company Factory in Chicago, Wayne Depot in Wayne, Noble-Wieting near Heyworth and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Grand Detour.

Chicago dance company preserving Spanish culture celebrates 50 years

Landmarks Illinois President & CEO Bonnie McDonald and Easements and Advocacy Associate Amber Delgado attended a special evening celebration of Rhythm, Resilience, and Connection with Chicago’s own Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater on January 6 for Día de Reyes (Three Kings Day). The Spanish dance company is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Its mission is the preservation, presentation and promotion of Spanish dance and culture, which includes the exploration of the country’s history and identifies its influence on Latin American art and dance.

Pictured above (left to right): Bonnie McDonald; Amber Delgado; Judie Green of the Auditorium Theater; Jorge Perez, Executive Director of Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater; Irma Suárez Ruiz, Artistic Director of Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater; Jonathan Pacheco, company dancer.

Pictured (left to right): Bonnie McDonald; Amber Delgado; Judie Green of the Auditorium Theater; Jorge Perez, Executive Director of Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater; Irma Suárez Ruiz, Artistic Director of Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater; Jonathan Pacheco, company dancer.

Skyline Council 2026 Valentine’s Day Event

FEBRUARY 14

The Skyline Council of Landmarks Illinois asks you to help bring attention to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Vietnam Veterans Memorial Mural in Chicago. Skyline Council members will join the Calumet Area Industrial Commission, American Legion South Deering Post #1238 and 10th Ward Ald. Peter Chico’s office to decorate the site of the historic and culturally significant mural with paper hearts, signs and other public displays of affection on Valentine’s Day. More details at our website.

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Landmarks Illinois & IMI Annual Historic Preservation Event

FEBRUARY 19

Join us for our annual webinar educational event focusing on masonry facade repair strategies in adaptive reuse projects. Held virtually over Zoom. 8:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Free to attend.

Learn more & register

2026 Preservation Forward

MARCH 12

Our biggest fundraiser of the year returns at The Old Post Office. Tickets, sponsorships and underwriting opportunities are now available. Visit our website to learn more about the event and our 2026 Landmarks Illinois Influencers and to purchase tickets.

Learn more & register

2026 Congreso

AUGUST 19-21

Landmarks Illinois is proudly serving as the local partner for Latinos in Heritage Conservation’s upcoming summit in Chicago. Congreso: Latinx Heritage Leadership Summit 2026 is a national gathering bringing Latinx leaders, preservation practitioners, artists, scholars and community organizers together. Congreso will take place at the historic Palmer House, centering conversations on heritage, place and leadership under the theme Estamos Aquí (We Are Here). The summit convenes national and Chicago-based voices to examine how Latinx communities shape, protect and sustain cultural landscapes across the United States.

Early registration is now available at a discounted rate.

Learn more & register

Top social media posts of the month

Our posts sharing the news that the Jackson Square Antique Mall in LaGrange would be demolished were our most popular on Facebook and Instagram this month.

On LinkedIn, news that the Keck and Keck-designed Shop Building in Altgeld Gardens in Chicago would be restored was the most popular post on that platform. See it here.

Hanna and Mrowka v. City of Chicago: A Long-Awaited Victory for Chicago’s Landmarks Ordinance

In September 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court rejected a fourth appeal in Hanna and Mrowka v. City of Chicago, likely ending nearly 20 years of litigation over the constitutionality of the Chicago Landmarks Ordinance. In this blog post, Landmarks Illinois Advocacy Manager Kendra Parzen dives into the long history of this case and discusses its implications not just in Chicago but across the state.

Read the blog post