CITY OF SANDWICH REDEDICATES
CITY HALL AND OPERA HOUSE

It was a year ago that we had the Rededication of the Restored City Hall and Opera House. (See Municipal Review—Nov. of '83).

The original story of the $1,275,000.00 Grant from the Dept. of Commerce and Community Affairs, which carried the basics of the beginning, are in the November issue of the Illinois Municipal Review.

The Restoration Program provided new Offices for the Mayor, City Clerk, Asst. City Clerk, City Engineer who is full time, and a reception area for payment of bills, make inquiries on the part of the public, and the like.

Along with the restoration of the original building, an addition was put on the back part, for a Community Room 1st floor, 2nd floor "make-up rooms, and storage for scenery, and other stage necessities. The front foyers, downstairs main entrance, the old original walnut west stairway was redone, and a new duplicate stairway for east area to 2nd floor was custom made.

The Honorable Lieutenant Governor George H. Ryan was the principle speaker, along with other governmental representatives, Honorable Senator Pat Welch, Representative John Countryman, Mr. George Dinges, and Mrs. Betty Hoxsey, from the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs.

The Legion Post Commander, Mr. Peter Hotopp, representing the Legion, donated the 2 flagpoles, for the American and State of Illinois Flags. Nineteen former Aldermen were present, a former City Clerk, and the current Aldermen.

The many individuals from the community, principally the ARCH Committee, representatives from the DeKalb County Metropolitan Exposition, and so many others who played a part in the program and made the restoration possible, were introduced and thanked.

Mayor Wehling presided at the Rededication.

Now, during the past year it has been found the City Hall and Opera House has made an impact on the community in many ways. Local restaurants, and other types of business in the downtown area have seen people never before in Sandwich.

The total number of people attending programs, performances, rentals, school performances, tours, art exhibits, meetings covering many types of subject matter, other events, etc., totalled 18,725 people.

After touring the restored building, Lieutenant Governor Ryan, was so impressed with Opera House on 2nd Floor, that he later held his first meeting, "The Task Force on the Future of Rural Illinois", many such meetings he held throughout the State, of which there were 120 over a period of time. (See Summary Report-April, Illinois Municipal Review)

It is impossible to try and explain the deterioration of the entire building, that took place the last 45 years, the 1st floor still being used for offices, the jail and police department area was abandoned in 1977.

One very unique section of the 1st floor, where the jail cells were, are now the ladies restrooms, with the iron bar gates to the cells still in tact, but fastened open!

An encouraging fact is the number of school children from the various grades, that have now had an opportunity to become acquainted, with the Opera House and Stage, instead of their little performances at their respective schools. We are hoping those youngsters as they grow will develop in community interests and become a part of the future performing groups.

Mr. Michael Dixon, the architect, from St. Charles, took a lot of personal pride, in having the opportunity in the restoration, and his work won him, the excellence award from the N.E. Ill. Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. •

Page 10 / Illinois Municipal Review / August 1987