I misspoke the other day when I mentioned that the Bernadotte Bridge is on the list of endangered places in Illinois. I might have made it sound like the bridge was just added to 2009 list (which was released just this week). But it turns out that’s OLD news, yo. The Bernie Dot bridge is endangered, but it’s on the “archived” list. The new addition for this region is in fact an old-fashioned, family-owned pharmacy in Canton. After reading about it (see an excerpt below), I hope both it and the Bernie Dot Bridge can be saved!
2009 Ten Most Endangered Historic Places
Lewis Pharmacy
“The interior of the historic pharmacy remains virtually unchanged from its opening in 1915, when it was termed the finest drug store in Illinois. The shop retains its original cabinetry, booths, soda fountain, checkerboard floor and decorative art glass. The pharmacy was operated by the Gustine family until 1937, when it was sold to the Lewis family who operated it for an additional 72 years. An elderly Edward Lewis, Jr. finally retired and closed the pharmacy in February. The hope is to find a new owner that would like to preserve this historic institution, but if an appropriate buyer can not be found, the furniture and fixtures will soon be sold at auction. While Canton is an Illinois Main Street community, it does not currently have a local landmark program to protect historic buildings from demolition.”
For a detailed list of all 155 sites, visit the “Ten Most” Archives.
(P.S. This makes me wonder about the old soda fountain in Macomb’s Ford Hopkins drug store on the square. Anyone know how much of the soda fountain counter in there is original?)
(P.P.S. Sadly, here is a list of places already lost.)
Tags: Canton, EdgarLeeMasters, endangered, FultonCounty, landmarks, MacombSquare, SpoonRiver
