published online: 4/25/2012

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}// end if

By SHANNON McFARLAND Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A decaying city hall, a home for Civil War widows and schools across the state were included Tuesday on a preservation group’s list of Illinois’ 10 most endangered historic sites.

Landmarks Illinois releases its annual list to help draw attention to buildings and other historic sites that are in danger of being demolished.

“The sites named to the list are all exceptionally important,” Jean Follett, interim executive director of the nonprofit group, said in a statement. “By calling attention to them we hope to encourage solutions for their preservation.”

The list includes:

* Blair House in Lake Bluff was constructed in 1955 with a modernist design that emphasizes sharp angles and huge windows. The famous lakefront house is for sale, but is vulnerable to demolition that would make way for new houses on Chicago’s North Shore.

* Bresee Tower in Danville is the tallest building in Danville. Vacant since 2006, its Kentucky-based owner is willing to give the building to a nonprofit. Locals are trying to find a solution to save the building and its quickly deteriorating terra cotta facades.

* Bruch-Guertler House in Alton was built in 1858 by a stone mason who emigrated from Germany.

* Fox River Country Day School campus has several significant buildings with stucco, stone and tile details. The foreclosed 53-acre property is for sale, and could be a target for new development.

* Freeport City Hall is a red sandstone structure built in 1899. Lack of maintenance, multiple alterations and questions about the its structural stability has put the building in jeopardy.

* Historic neighborhood schools in El Paso, Harrisburg, Jacksonville, Pekin and Springfield are five of the towns with historic schools threatened with demolition. The state provides money to replace aging schools, but doesn’t give the option to rehabilitate local historic schools.

* Hotel Guyon in Chicago is a prominent landmark in the West Garfield Park neighborhood. After a 1980s renovation, the building has had numerous owners. It’s been vacant for almost a decade and has many code violations in court. While the neighborhood needs affordable and senior housing, renovating the hotel is difficult for developers, given the state of the lending market.

* Local citizens worked for 10 years to save Marbold Farm in Greenview to use as an educational center. Now, they must raise money to rehabilitate and create programs for the deteriorating and vacant buildings.

* Maywood Home for Soldiers’ Widows in Maywood was built in 1924 to house Civil War soldiers’ widows. The brick building is in a prominent location, and supporters hope it can be redeveloped. Vacant since 2003, it is owned by the village, which lacks a plan for its future use.

* Prentice Women’s Hospital in Chicago has been vacant since 2011. Northwestern University is looking to demolish it and keep the property until it can finance a new medical research facility. The university has rejected studies for three possible reuses for the 1975 building, which resembles three concrete cylinders bound together.