Illinois legislators tour ‘embarrassing’ disrepair of historic Lincoln's
New Salem
[March 11, 2025]
By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – In just the past few months, the deterioration of
Lincoln's New Salem in Petersburg, Illinois, has gotten worse. Advocates
are demanding state taxpayer funds for much needed repairs.
A tour of the Rutledge Camron Saw and Grist Mill in Petersburg Monday
showed continued deterioration. New Salem Lincoln League Board President
Gina Gillmore-Wolter said the facility and the pedestrian overpass
bridge are beyond disrepair.
“There are boards missing that have fallen down on the highway below
it,” she said. “Some of the steel girders don’t even touch the concrete
pads that support it. They’ve shoved 2X4 shims in there that are rotting
and falling out.”
Roof overhangs of the Trent Brothers building have completely collapsed.
Another historic structure, the Hill’s Carding Mill has part of the roof
missing. The deterioration has gotten worse since December. But, someone
is taking note. Gilmore-Wolter said debris from the carding was cleaned
up over the weekend.
State Sen. Steve McClure is amending his bills to increase the amount of
taxpayer funds from $5 million to $19 million. He's unsure how that
figure was calculated and that’s why he’s also aiming to create a
commission for the site.
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One of the disconnected pillars for a pedestrian walkway at
Lincoln's News Salem State Historic Site in Petersburg, Illinois on
March 10, 2025
Greg Bishop | The Center Square
“It goes to the issue that we have when we’re trying to figure out how
much money to put into capital bills, we don’t know the exact amount at
this moment and that’s why the commission is so important,” McClure
said.
One thing that could increase the price is the intricate craftsmanship
legislators said will be needed.
“Either spend less money now or spend much more money later,” McClure
said. “And by the way if we wait until later, it’s going to continue to
embarrass our state when tourists come here from all over the world to
see these sites.”
Legislators said it’s hard to tell if the site will get the funding they
say is needed while balancing the capital spending elsewhere through the
state with tight state finances. |
