Two area buildings will be featured in the latest issue of Historic Illinois, a publication of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA).

An historic Mesker facade was moved from a building in Stewardson to one in Arcola after staff from the IHPA were able to connect an enterprising building owner in Arcola seeking to replace a lost Mesker facade with the owners of the soon-to-be-demolished Opera Hall in Stewardson.  The salvaged Mesker facade was installed on the recipient building in Arcola. Source: News-Gazette, 09/21/2009

Lincoln Square Mall located in Urbana’s downtown was the first indoor shopping mall outside the Chicago area.  Lincoln Square saw a steady decline in the 1970s and 1980s; however, a new owner is breathing new life into Lincoln Square by attracting mixed uses for the mall. Source:  News-Gazette, 08/30/2009)