I have heard of the most endangered when it comes to animals, but not the list of the most endangered places. Well, the list exists and there are nine new historical places in Illinois that made the 2023 list.

Brooklyn, Illinois

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Wait...there's a Brooklyn, Illinois? Not only is there, but it has a huge historical significance in the state. Brooklyn is the one last remaining majority-Black incorporated town in the country according to landmarks.org. The town was established in 1829 after a free black women help 11 families cross from Missouri into Illinois and that was the start of the town, which now is endangered of being completely gone forever.

The small town’s future is threatened by a declining population, high unemployment and a limited economy and tax base. Additionally, in recent years the village has sold off dozens of parcels of land to the Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific railroads, whose tracks separate Brooklyn from the riverbank.

 

Old Lawes Hotel

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Built in 1874 was first a home then converted into a hotel in the early 1900s. Its been through several different owners throughout the years and closed in 1989. Now, run down and vacant for over 30 years there is a group trying to raise money to restore this historic building. However, if nothing is done soon the building will become a hazard to the community and it will have to be torn down.

Damen Silos

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The Damen Silos are pretty famous in Chicago's Cook County. They have been around since the early 1900s and are one of the last remaining monuments when Chicago was king with the grain industry. The silos went up for sale in 2022 and were purchased for over $6 million, and there are plans to tear the silos down to build a new headquarters building. Nothing has been finalized yet so there is still hope these historic silos can be saved.

Baxter International Headquarters

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Constructed in the early 1970s, so not very old, the Baxter International Headquarters could be no more. Earlier this year the new owners of the Baxter headquarters implied they were making plans to demolish the building and build a new one in the same location. So why is this building so important? It's the way the building was designed, its uniqueness is truly one of a kind.

Oak Cottage

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You would never think just by looking at the photo that this cute little cottage is endangered, but it is. Located in Naperville, Illinois the Oak Cottage was built in 1850. This home once belonged to one of the first settlers in DuPage County. Many of the residents use the land for picnics and family gatherings. Work was underway to put a plan in place to update the framework of the cottage, but when the report was released that the cottage should be demolished several community members pushed for a second opinion. A second report suggested documenting the history and structure of the cottage and its framework could not be completed in three years or less the cottage could be demolished.

Other landmarks on the list include:

LOOK: Stunning, historic hotels from every state and the stories behind them

Stacker curated this list of stunning, historic hotels from every state. To be considered for inclusion, the structure must be more than 50 years old. Many of the selected hotels are listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and several are purported to be haunted.

Historic cities: 10 metros with the oldest homes

New Jersey Real Estate Network collected U.S. Census Bureau data to understand which metro regions have the most old homes, which include houses built in 1949 or earlier.

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