The Nov/Dec Preservation Magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation had a short blurb with a picture of the station with that great old tower standing tall and proud.
It said that the 1898 terminal closed in 1971 and just sat until the 80s when it was used for retail operations.
In 2005, the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and Downtown Springfield, Inc, and other groups got together for the eventual $12.5 million project to restore the Romanesque Revival structure to its 1898 appearance.
One of the biggest cost was the 110-foot tower which had been torn down in 1946.
The structure is now a visitors center for the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum which is across the street. The people working at it are very friendly and informative, including the one woman who could move anywhere after she retired, and chose Springfield for all the amenities the town offers.
I have heard some people say that way too much was spent on restoration, but it would be hard to look at this restored structure and not feel proud.
It also serves at a visitors center for Springfield and Illinois.
Definitely a stop for anyone on the old Route 66 as well.
Standing Tall and Proud...Again. --RoadDog
RoadDog's RoadLog Blog: Being my travels down those great two lane highways of this nation as well as news I learn about them from media sources. Since I'm also very interested in historic preservation, there will be a lot of that as well.
The Shamrock Court Motel in Sullivan, Missouri. It can be yours for $125,000. Lots of possibilities. Actually, now you're too late. Missouri's Roamin' Rich bought it.
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