November 2024
Lectures: Our 2025 Winter Lecture Series is being planned with our co-sponsors the Hayner Public Library. The lectures are free and will be held on Saturdays January 18, February 15 and March 15 at 10:00 AM at the Genealogy and Local History Library at 401 State Street, Alton. This year’s lecture series is made possible by a grant from Penelope Schmidt.
Brick Sidewalks: There has been some interest expressed for having a class on maintaining good brick sidewalks. Looks like it will be in spring of 2025. Watch for more information here.
Tour: Thanks to everyone who came out for our Hooray for Broadway walking tour. It was a beautiful fall day for strolling Broadway, checking out the shops and playing our Scavenger Hunt.
For those who missed the tour, you can still participate by going to our website (above) and click on Tours. All of our recent tours can be found there, including this one. Thanks to all our volunteers, building owners, business owners, Alton Main Street and AltonWorks.
Floodwall: Over the summer, the city posted the preliminary plans on its website for the downtown Alton floodwall as well as plans for downtown sewer improvements which are designed to protect the historic buildings in downtown. Alton Area Landmarks is one of several government and community consultants providing comments to FEMA on the potential impact of these two projects. Check out the newest information about this project. https://www.cityofaltonil.gov/planning-and-development/flood-mitigation-project/
Playhouse Painting. Thanks to the generosity of the community, funds were raised to restore the Ruth Means painting of the Lucy Haskell Playhouse. It is currently in the hands of the art conservationist. Stay tuned for more information about where it will be permanently displayed.
Stone House: The stone house at East 16th Street and Alby Street is one of the last in Alton. Should it be declared a local landmark?
Membership Dues & Donations: Help us be a strong voice in preserving historic Alton! Please consider joining AALA for only $15/year ($25/year for a whole family). We also appreciate donations of any amount…and both dues and donations are tax deductible. Donations and dues can be mailed to AALA, Box 232, Alton, IL 62002 or made through our website (altonlandmarks.org). Thank you for your support, and please remember to contribute to the other local organizations that enrich your life and your community! Thanks to all of you who have recently sent in dues. We appreciate it.
Signs: The city replaced nine of the faded Middletown Historic District signs and put up additional 10 new signs. We would like to see similar signs for the Christian Hill Historic District, the Upper Alton Historic District and the Broadway Expansion. What building should be on those signs representing those areas?
For Sale: Here are some houses for sale in the Christian Hill Historic District- 415 Bluff, 612 Belle, 1217 State and the Egg House at 518 Beacon. The Ragin Cajun restaurant at 210 West Third Street is closed and the building is for sale.
Court: If you would like to read the court order about the commons, go to the AALA website (see above) and click on “Our History”. Read the article by Bob St. Peters about the case and then click on “Court Order” at the end. Also there is good article about the case labeled “News Article”.
The Berm Highway Case: Binding legal precedent that controls the use of the Alton Riverfront
In 1973 the Illinois Department of Transportation sought to extend the Berm Highway (Illinois Route 3) alongside the Mississippi River through Alton’s Riverfront Park. The newly organized Alton Area Landmarks Association objected and made its mission to preserve the river front park as intended by Alton’s founding fathers Rufus Easton and William Russell.
The Alton Area Landmarks filed suit and over the course of 13 years of litigation the Courts declared that Easton Commons and Russell Commons shall be held by the City of Alton in Trust for perpetuity for the benefit of Alton’s citizens and the use of the land restricted as set forth in the original Plat dedication “for park and park-like purposes”. The Berm Highway was rerouted off the Riverfront grounds and Landmarks Boulevard was named in honor of Alton Area Landmarks Association’s victory preserving the riverfront for the citizens of Alton.
The City of Alton has trust over the land but not ownership. The Court order mandates that the city follow its continuing obligation to promote the use of lands for park and park-like purposes. Any ordinance passed by the city regarding the land must be filed with the Court for approval. Alton Area Landmarks continues to be the guardian of the land, overseeing the preservation of the park and ensuring its continued use for park and park-like purposes.
In the recent past an amphitheater, playground, picnic shelters and a bike trail have been constructed in the park, all improvements within the founders’ intention for use for park and park purposes. More recently, Alton Area Landmarks Association was asked to approve and endorse the construction of a $10 million dollar visitors center including an area dedicated to parking of tour buses in Riverfront Park on the land where the Alton’s Farmer’s Market is held. The AALA objected, citing the Berm Highway case, legal precedent that mandates the land be used exclusively for park and park-like purposes. Alton Area Landmarks Association stands ready to continue its mission to preserve the Alton Riverfront Park for the citizens of Alton to enjoy in perpetuity.
Worse: Possibly the worse block of brick street is the 500 block of William west of downtown. It has holes, dips, patches, waves and bumps. This is the first street someone can turn on from the Great River Road. We do not recommend driving down William Street. The first two blocks of William from Broadway were “repaired” a couple of years ago and are very difficult to drive on also.
Lights: Barth Park, also known as Seminary Square, needs some lighting. It is very very dark walking on the sidewalk through the park at night.