Post Christmas Wander: Day One Addendum

I got so excited to post yesterday that I realize I left off a few pictures. Just as well, I should be more judicious with quantity. I’ll share them now even I should pace myself. I’m so bad at self control.

This is also in Warren, Illinois, along with my favorite little stone building. It’s a beauty, isn’t it?

From its website:

The Warren Community Building, formerly know as The Old Stone Hotel, The American House or Warren House Hotel was constructed in 1851 as a stagecoach station, by Freeman A. Tisdel, one of the founders of the Village of Warren. It was located close to the crossing of two stagecoach routes near the Illinois-Wisconsin border. Mr. Tisdel was instrumental in later convincing the Illinois Central Railroad to make its route through the village and the hotel was a stopping point for many travelers. It hosted prominent visitors such as Ulysses S. Grant, a resident of nearby Galena, on multiple occasions.

The Old Stone Hotel was built in the early Georgian style and constructed from block limestone from a local quarry. The building’s exterior remains unaltered from its original form and appearance right down to the white picket fence surrounding the structure. The building was purchased by industrialist and former Warren resident James Irving Holcomb in 1944 with the intention of gifting it to the Village of Warren to be restored for its present and continued use. Fundraising efforts for the project were stalled because of World War II. In the mid 1950’s the restoration project was revitalized by the local Warren Women’s Club and with individual donations and several large bequests the restoration of the building was completed in 1956.

I love that somebody bought in mid 1940’s to be restored. Brilliant.

Some buildings are not so lucky.

There’s something sad about this beautiful old closed church sitting next to the food and liquor store.

If you’ve been a collector or antique dealer for a number of years you can’t help but think, “hmmmm,” when you catch a glimpse of a closed up little shop like this. Wonder what’s in there…

Looking forward to sharing Day Two with you!

Onward.

Oh, and happy new year!

Love,
Cynthia