National Road Association Recognizes Area Art and Architecture

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Published on October 24 2013 6:18 pm
Last Updated on October 25 2013 9:30 am
Written by Greg Sapp

The National Road Association of Illinois board met at the Effingham County Courthouse Museum this week to recognize Art & Architectural sites in Effingham County as contributing to the architectural, cultural and historic character of the National Road. 
 
Mary Truitt, past president, and Kevin Limestall, current board president, presented the plaques to various sites in Effingham County. 
 
Truitt said, “This is a long time coming. We started this project many years ago and are so pleased to finally present these sites with their plaques. The history of the National Road can truly be seen through the art and architecture of these sites.” 
 
The sites were selected by a committee of local scholars and historians in an effort to highlight the past. 
Several plaques were presented on Tuesday evening to these art and architectural wonders of the past and present, including: Effingham County Courthouse, Oakridge Cemetery sculptures, Gravenhorst residence, now currently the Raymond James Financial Services building, the Cross at the Crossroads, the Heart Theatre and the City’s Sculpture on the Avenues exhibit, all in Effingham.
 
There were also several plaques presented to sites in Altamont, including: the Dr. Charles M. Wright House, the Altamont Living Museum and the Jasper Orrel residence.
 
The board is still interested in presenting several other sites with plaques who could not make the presentation, including: Siemer Milling Company, Siemer Home, St. Joseph’s Bell Tower, Bauer Funeral Home, State Farm/Wabash Depot, Moritz-Siemer Home, Bradley-Fuhr Home, CSX Arch Railroad bridges and the Austin Mansion. If you represent one of these sites, please contact the Effingham Visitor Center at 217-342-5310 to schedule a time to pick up your plaque and certificate.
 
The Historic National Road, also known as the “Road that Built the Nation,” was created in 1806 and is sometimes referred to as U.S. Route 40 or Cumberland Road. The National Road rose from dust and prairie grass to become the blue print for an ocean-to-ocean highway. Regardless of how travelers identified it, its place in history remained constant: It was the road that built a nation. 
 
The National Road is one of Illinois’ seven scenic byways. For more historical information on the National Road Association of Illinois, please visit www.NationalRoad.org or call 888-268-0042.
 
The National Road Association offers a “National Road Art & Architecture” brochure that highlights the art and architecture along the National Road from Marshall to Collinsville.  Watch for their red, white and blue signs.
 
For more information on the “Art & Architecture” brochure, please contact the Effingham Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-772-0750 or National Road Association of Illinois in Vandalia at 888-268-0042. Feel free to stop by either location to pick up a free copy of the brochure.