Ten Most Endangered

Last week the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois announced its 2005 list of the Ten Most Endangered Historic Places in the state. Four of the ten places are in and around Chicago, a special 11th spot given to Cook County Hospital for the ongoing struggle over its future.

Here's a few places of interest:


River Forest Women's Club, River Forest
A Prairie-style building designed in 1913 by William Drummond, the chief draftsman of Frank Lloyd Wright. The distinctive green siding makes this house appear like a slightly off-kilter Prairie house, like Drummond wanted to go beyond his master's style but couldn't escape Wright's influence.


Westgate Street, Oak Park
A new downtown master plan threatens a portion of Oak Park's beautifully-scaled, walkable downtown, a block from a Green Line station to the Loop. Oak Park has the downtown that most newer suburbs want, so why mess with it?


Zook Home and Studio, Hinsdale
Read Blair Kamin singing the praises of lesser-known architect Harold Zook's home and studio.

Will the Council achieve the intended effect from this list? Perhaps, but more so if the list reaches as many people as possible, opening their eyes to the unknown joys around them.