[April 26, 2013]    

In 2002 under Lincoln Mayor Beth Davis-Kavelmann, the Mayor's Commission on Historic Homes and Buildings identified this building that was sitting at Fifth and Adams streets as having historic value. Two members of the commission, chair Betty York and member Georgia Vinson, told the council that it had been used as a polling place for many years, but due to its disuse
and decaying condition West Lincoln Township wished to get rid of it. The building was set for demolition.

Pictures by Jan Youngquist

Local historian Paul Beaver helped with research. The building was believed to have been constructed before 1888, the date for which the first title was found. It may have been one of the original buildings in the former town of Postville, the first county seat and where the town of Lincoln began.

 

The council agreed the little building held historic value and began setting aside money for its salvage.

In July 2004, the city's bicentennial, the building was saved and moved to the historic Postville Park at a cost of $2,400.

 

Earlier this year, Mayor Keith Snyder said that for their community service work day, employees of Ameren Illinois would put a new coat of paint on the building. Snyder said the building also needed some boards replaced along the bottom edges, and the city street department was going to do that. In addition, the From the Ground Up group would do some preliminary work to get the building ready for paint.

On Thursday evening Bill Vinyard and Gene Mehan were out at the park power-washing the little building.  Vinyard reported that Ameren employees are planning to come out to the park on Saturday and do the painting to spruce up the little building.