The Forum Makes List Of Most Endangered Historic Places

CHICAGO, IL — The Forum, a former assembly hall and now a historical landmark that's stood at the corner of 43rd Street and Calumet Avenue in the city's Bronzeville neighborhood since 1897, was included on Landmark Illinois' 2018 Most Endangered Historic Places list.

A news release from Landmarks Illinois President & CEO Bonnie McDonald listed The Forum and more than a dozen historic places that the statewide historic preservation nonprofit has identified as most threatened by demolition, deterioration or improper development.

Standing at 318-324 E. 43rd St., The Forum attracted musical greats like Nat King Cole and Muddy Waters and served as the site of important civil and labor rights meetings, according to the release.

Today, The Forum requires significant rehabilitation and funding has been difficult to secure "for this unique historic building on a retail corridor challenged by decades of disinvestment."

It sits among several vacant lots just steps away from the 43rd Street Green Line station.

Other city of Chicago sites to make the endangered list include the James R. Thompson Center and Second Church of Christ, Scientist. Numerous Sites in other Chicagoland areas, including two in Geneva, were also part of the list.

"These endangered places still have value in providing a venue for personal connections, where we can get to know our neighbors and work together to solve problems," McDonald said. "With some creativity, vision and committed investment, these endangered properties can be preserved and reused. Landmarks Illinois is here to help every step of the way."

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