Southern Illinois Architectural Wonders noted
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<p class="p1">Landmark structures throughout Southern Illinois have been recognized as architectural wonders.</p><p class="p1">Baysinger Architects in December announced its 2015 Top 10 Architectural Wonders of Southern Illinois. Baysinger is located in Marion.</p><p class="p1">In a news release announcing the list, Baysinger Architects noted that the architectural wonders "include area landmarks as diverse as the region, from a four room school house to a band shell."</p><p class="p1">The landmarks "are 10 structures in the region that inspire and represent what is great about architecture and the people of Southern Illinois."</p><p class="p1">For 2015, Baysinger Architects said that it "invited select individuals to nominate a property important to them."</p><p class="p1">Those who made nominations included:</p><p class="p1">Dale Fowler, the mayor of Harrisburg, who nominated the Clearwave Building in his community.</p><p class="p1">David Ardrey, executive director of the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools, who nominated the B.G. Roots School House in Tamaroa.</p><p class="p1">Linda Sympson, executive director of the Chester Chamber of Commerce, who nominated the Cohen home in her community.</p><p class="p1">Sam Lattuca, president of the Williamson County Historical Society, who nominated the VA Hospital in Marion.</p><p class="p1">Jonathan Hallberg, executive director of the Jefferson County Development Corporation, who nominated the Old Fair Store building in Mt. Vernon.</p><p class="p1">Here's a look at the structures which were recognized as 2015 architectural wonders, along with their location, the date they were completed and some "fast facts," as provided by Baysinger Architects:</p><p class="p1">B.G. Roots school house, located in Tamaroa, completed in 1858. Fast fact: The school house has four rooms and is still maintained on a local farm in Tamaroa.</p><p class="p1">Cohen home, Chester, 1855. Fast face: Mark Twain mentioned the blue windows of the Cohen home, which is visible from the Mississippi River, in his book "Life on the Mississippi."</p><p class="p1">Safford Library, Cairo, 1888. Fast fact: The library reportedly is home to a ghost named Toby.</p><p class="p1">Clearwave Building, Harrisburg, 1920. Fast fact: The building originally was designed in Renaissance Revival style.</p><p class="p1">Riverside Park band shell, Murphysboro, 1939. Fast fact: The park originally was named Buster Brown Park, because the location initially was owned by the Brown Shoe Company.</p><p class="p1">Franklin County Jail, Benton, 1906. Fast fact: The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.</p><p class="p1">VA Hospital, Marion, 1942. Fast Fact: The hospital was designed in the Egyptian Revival architectural style to reflect the image of Little Egypt/Southern Illinois.</p><p class="p1">The Old Fair Store building Mt. Vernon, 1890s. Fast fact: The one of a kind designed building features both Richardsonian Romanesque and Georgian or Federal building architectural styles.</p><p class="p1">SIU Arena, Carbondale, 1964. Fast fact: The arena originally was built for $4.2 million dollars.</p><p class="p1">McClure house, McClure, 1882. Fast fact: The house, primarily all brick, features Queen Anne style architecture.</p>