GOLCONDA, IL — On Tuesday, May 7, Landmarks Illinois—a non-profit focused on historic preservation—released their 2024 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois.
The Buel House was added to Landmarks Illinois’ Top 10 Most Endagered Historic Places in Illinois. The property was built in 1840, and needs repairs in order to be sheltered for visitors. Photo taken May 7, 2024.
Three sites on the list are located in Southern Illinois, including the Buel House in Golconda, the Shawneetown Bank in Old Shawneetown, and the Johnson County Courthouse in Vienna.
The Johnson County Courthouse, originally built in 1871, was in exploit until 2023 and is the oldest still in exploit in the State of Illinois.
Photo courtesy of Landmarks Illinois.
In September, one of the building’s roof trusses became fractured, preventing the building from being used. A fleeting fix was placed on the truss, but further work is needed to repair the structure permanently.
Photo courtesy of Landmarks Illinois.
The court system broke ground on a recent court facility in 2022, which is expected to be completed in 2024, but the aged courthouse was slated to be converted into a business.
Local leaders are trying to find ways to preserve the aged courthouse, which is owned by Johnson County.
The Shawneetown Bank is in Old Shawneetown and was built in 1841.
This property has been featured on the list twice, in 2009 and again this year.
Landmarks Illinois said that attempts have been made to improve the exterior of the building, but leaks continue to impact the building exterior.
Members of the Pope County Historical Soceity watch a presentation from Landmarks Illinois. Buel House State Historic Site was listed on their Top 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois. Photo taken May 7, 2024.
The last Southern Illinois site on the list is the Buel House in Golconda, built in 1840.
The Buel House’s history is significant because of what it witnessed during the Trail of Tears when the Federal Government forced thousands of American Indians to relocate to reservations.
The house is in disrepair and in need of a recent roof, recent windows, and work on the foundation.
The foundation of the Buel House is only one of several projects needed to make the house sheltered for tours. Photo taken May 7, 2024.
To learn more about other sites on the most endangered list, visit the Landmarks Illinois website.
