ILHANCOC-L Archives

Archiver > ILHANCOC > 2001-12 > 1009775320


From: "Mary Keller" <>
Subject: Re: [ILHANCOC] Historic Preservation in Hancock County
Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2001 23:08:46 -0600
References: <20011230.214634.-360799.28.bwebb9@juno.com>


Robert, I don't know that we can claim "historical group" sponsorship but
there are 2 old buildings in Augusta which are being preserved. The
building that houses the township and city offices has had major expense
this past year with twp. and village funds going into that project. It is
an interesting old building --village lockup still in the basement. Of
course, all offenders are hauled off to the county brig nowadays but it is
interesting to see the photos of the cell in the basement. The Lions Club
purchased the old Augusta elementary school building a number of years ago.
At the time it was the oldest building being used for education in the
State. There were good intentions of using the classrooms for offices,
which they were for a time, and then a village museum. The museum is still
there--open by appointment and on special times such as the Harvestfest
which has been held early in Sept. the last few years. An elderly native of
Augusta donated a large sum of money to the Lions for the upkeep of the
building. I don't know if that was a favor or not. Some things do come to
a time when it is no longer wise to keep pouring money into something that
is not of great use. There are several views on the preservation of the
building. I believe Bowen is in the process of restoring a building there
that the village is using for a town hall. Other than that I don't know of
any active group interested in preservation of old buildings just for the
sake of the preservation.

While I'm here--we had a building that collapsed here in town due to a
tremendously heavy rain this summer. Does anyone know of any funds that
might help in getting that down? It will be quite expensive and
unfortunately the owner had no insurance on it. The back wall fell out when
water pooled on the roof and put pressure against the wall. Are there
disaster funds for such a project? Anyone out there with any info to
suggest? Mary

This thread: