Coles County Location One of 30 Added in 2018 to the Illinois Register of Historic Places

The places recognized are scattered across the state and include a nationally significant African American art center, a former village hall and fire station, and nine historic districts that combined include more than 2,800 significant properties.

Places are added to the register by the National Park Service based on recommendations from the State Historic Preservation Office, a division of the IDNR. The 30 places were added throughout 2018.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of properties that merit special attention and preservation. Every Illinois county has at least one property or historic district listed in the National Register. Together, they represent a cross section of the Prairie State's history from its early settlement to the mid-20th century.

In general, properties have to be more than 50 years old to be eligible for the National Register. A listing places no obligations on private property owners but does make properties eligible for some financial incentives.

There is an area project:

Burgess-Osborne Memorial Auditorium, Mattoon, Coles County
Listed March 5, 2018
The Burgess-Osborne Memorial Auditorium, constructed in 1953, has served as Mattoon’s community center and entertainment venue throughout its existence.  The auditorium was a gift to the City of Mattoon from Emily Burgess-Osborne to be used by the public for educational, religious and recreational purposes.  It is the only public building in Mattoon possessing Mid-century Modern characteristics,  exhibited through its asymmetrical plan, roof pitches, dominant entrance pylon and masonry texturing/corbeling projections.