Quincy Newcomb Hotel Makes Top 10 Endangered Historic Places List

The top ten list of endangered historic places was announced today by Landmarks Illinois at a press conference held in Springfield and Quincy has one of the sites on the list.  That site is the historic Newcomb Hotel at 4th and Maine Streets in Quincy. Landmarks Illinois is in its 18th year. According to this morning's press release, Landmarks statewide list calls attention to threatened historic resources in need of assistance in the form of responsible stewardship, creative reuse plans, and/or advances in public policy. The slow economic recovery, municipal deficits and a lack of available financing continue to challenge historic sites throughout Illinois.

Since the inception of Landmarks Illinois’ Ten Most list in 1995, more than a third of the listed properties have been saved, less than a quarter have been demolished, and the rest are in varying stages between being continually threatened and rehabilitation. Landmarks Illinois has been working to protect historic places throughout Illinois for over 40 years. The not-for-profit works with citizens and communities to preserve historic places and promote awareness about them through education and advocacy.

As mentioned, the Newcomb Hotel is on this year's list. The Newcomb Hotel, completed in 1888 at the corner of 4th and Maine Street in the heart of Quincy’s Downtown Historic District, exhibits both Classical and Romanesque details.

Several owners had planned to breathe new life into the Newcomb, most recently as a retirement home. Some renovations were completed in the 1990s, but the building has remained vacant for over 20 years, resulting in its continued deterioration.

In addition, the City of Quincy and Adams County have liens against the property. The City is working through the legal system to obtain ownership. Officials hope to find a buyer who can follow through with renovations to secure the structure and bring it back into use otherwise this handsome building may soon be beyond repair.

Despite the ability to use Federal Historic Tax Credits as part of a rehabilitation project, financing for this project continues to be a challenge. The proposed State Historic Tax Credit, now moving through the legislative process at the Capitol, would close the financing gap for this and dozens of projects like it across Illinois.

The complete Ten Most list, including individual property press releases and photos, is available at www.Landmarks.org through the “Press Room” link.