2004 one of worst years for historical buildings

Sunday, December 19, 2004
By Chris Rankin
Another loss for historic preservation was felt last week when J.C. Sullen and Sons blacksmith shop came crashing down. The Bank had this building razed to make their building more visible. It was number eight on my "Top Ten Endangered" list. Now it becomes number 53 on my "Graveyard" list.

In 1894, John C. Sullen opened a blacksmith and buggy paint shop at 21st and Western. Sullen adapted his business to automobiles as they became more popular. After his sons joined the business, they included upholstery and body repair. The business was sold in 1946 after J.C. Sullen's son Bob died two years prior. December 13, 2004, the building was razed.

Mattoon was laid out in three different directions, parallel to the Illinois Central tracks, parallel to the Big Four tracks and strait north and south. This allowed for buildings to be constructed with unique shapes. 115 Club on 16th Street, Broomcorn warehouse where the fire station annex now sits, the Berkowitz building at the location of the new WMCI studios, even the Hulman building on Charleston Avenue just west of the bridge were all built in odd shapes as the size of the property would allow. The Sullen building was one of the few buildings left in town with this unique feature.

Banks have been instrumental in razing Mattoon's historic buildings. Heartland Federal razed the Avey Building and Congregational Church for their facility across from the library. They later tore down the entire 1500 block of Broadway for a drive-up facility that has since been abandoned. Central National Bank had the Livery stables removed to make way for the parking lot at 19th Street and Charleston.

Several buildings in the 1400 block of Broadway were razed in 1971 for their new facility. Brownwell Apartments and the Weis Medical Clinic were razed to make way for First Mid's main facility on Charleston Avenue. Now The Bank is responsible for J.C. Sullen's Blacksmith shop.

Eight buildings have been lost in this year; The Big Four Depot, Helen Montgomery Building, Kuehne Manufacturing, The Sullen Building, and four grade schools. This makes 2004 one of the worst years for Mattoon structures. 2005 will start out with the loss of Gowin's Restaurant, which was built in 1877 by Louis Katz.

It is not clear what will replace the Sullen building. It has been suggested that the area will become a "green area" for now. Green areas are highly successful in Mattoon. Wades Corner was converted into a "green area" in 1987. The southeast corner of 19th Street and Broadway is also an attractive "green area". And there is also the "green area" where the Rubyiat Lounge and Bennett Building once sat in the 1800 block of Broadway.

The Bank also acknowledged the removal of this building gives them room to expand their facilities. I challenge The Bank to build a triangle shaped building in place of the Sullen Building and make their expansion historically accurate with the one that was lost and so many others lost to Mattoon's claim of "progress by bulldozer".