They are two rather ordinary looking buildings. The structures carry no outward signs of real significance.
But the buildings, constructed in the 1870s, are important to historic preservationists because they are among the oldest structures in Mt. Prospect.
The buildings, located next to each other at 2 and 4 E. Northwest Highway, are now at the center of a bitter dispute between those who want to demolish them as part of a downtown revitalization and preservationists who contend the structures represent an important part of the past. If the structures are razed, a slice of Mt. Prospect’s history would crumble, too, they say.
“They are trying to replace old buildings with five-story condos down there, and we are not happy with that,” said Nancy Bobikewicz, a Mt. Prospect activist, who wants to organize a campaign to convert the buildings into a museum or historical park.
“This is something to preserve. Something you can take your children and show them where and how the village originated.”
In an effort to revive Mt. Prospect’s aging downtown, officials are reviewing a three-phase plan to redevelop the 4 1/2-block business district, bordered by Central Road, Wille and Emerson Streets and Northwest Highway.
The redevelopment plan calls for demolishing two other downtown structures, but those buildings have not been deemed historical.
A two-story retail space and two condominium buildings, one six stories and the other eight stories, would replace all four existing buildings, according to the redevelopment plan. The structures would be built near Elmhurst and Central Roads.
That’s not welcome news to some longtime residents.
“My grandfather operated the first blacksmith and wagon-making shop in one of the buildings,” said Elvira Grotheer, who is the granddaughter of John Meyn and daughter of Herman Meyn, Mt. Prospect’s second mayor. “You can’t tear down something that is our legacy and part of our history.”
The blacksmith shop was housed in one of the four buildings near the corner of East Northwest Highway and Elmhurst Road owned by Mt. Prospect pioneer John Moehling during the late 1870s. Moehling wanted a blacksmith shop next door to his general store, 2 E. Northwest Highway, which is considered the oldest building in town.
The buildings have housed a number of businesses over the decades and in recent years have shown signs of exterior deterioration. Those who want them demolished call them unsightly.
But officials say they do appreciate the historical significance of the general store, and trustees have agreed to sell it for $1, so long as the buyer has a credible plan to relocate and restore the structure, said David Strahl, assistant village manager.
Scott Saewert, a Prospect Heights resident, recently stepped forward to take the village up on its offer. But, he has had difficulty locating a space to relocate the building.
“My hands are tied,” said Saewert, who wanted to move the building to “Preservation Row,” a strip of antique houses on Busse Road.
Strahl said no one has inquired about the other buildings.
In the past, the village has made the relocation offer to save other historic homes. All ended up demolished, with significant items removed by the local historical society.
In 1991, the village’s vintage one-screen movie theater was razed to make room for condos. And 10 years ago, a service station that opened in 1910 was leveled and replaced with a new police and fire department facility.
Lillian Kovoros, a 20-year resident of the village, said the downtown would lose a part of its charm if the buildings were torn down.
“We want it to stay the village of Mt. Prospect and not become the city of Mt. Prospect” Kovoros said.
