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State Supports Honor for Bailey House

Rich Egger
The Old Bailey House

The Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council is recommending the Old Bailey House in Macomb be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Macomb Community Development Coordinator Ed Basch said such recognition could help the city earn national historic designation for the entire downtown district.

“The more contributing structures -- as they call them -- and the more distinguished structures that you have in the district, the better off you are for the entire area being designated,” said Basch.

Basch said the McDonough County Courthouse and the former Lamoine Hotel building are the two structures in Macomb that are already considered National Historic Places. Both are in the downtown district.

In a news release, the state said, “The 1887 vintage Bailey House is an excellent example of Queen Anne residential architecture. Located just a few blocks off the town square, this house has been well preserved and now serves as a community meeting facility.”

The recommendation will be forwarded to the National Park Service in Washington DC, which will decide whether to grant the designation.

Basch believes the Old Bailey House has the pedigree to be placed on the national list and said the honor could help with preservation efforts.

“Once you are a national site, then you're eligible for the federal tax credit program,” Basch said.

He said the designation could also draw attention to the house.

Rich is TSPR's News Director.