The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of U.S. sites, generally more than 50 years old, that deserve special attention and preservation. Each county in Illinois is home to at least one historic district or special site listed. On Feb. 7, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced 30 Illinois properties that were added to the National Register of Historic Places throughout 2018. The properties range from community art centers and high schools to firehouses and churches.

Scroll through to see 10 of the Illinois properties that have been recently added to the list. You can also take a look at last year's additions here and learn more about the National Register application process here.

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Pettengill-Morron House Museum Peoria, Illinois
Pettengill-Morron House Museum in Peoria, Illinois. Photo by J. Kyle Keener/ILFB Partners

Downtown Peoria Historic District, Peoria County

The Downtown Peoria Historic District, a 17-block area in the center of the Peoria’s business district, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in December of 2018. Significant for the many architectural styles represented in the downtown area, the historic district is also recognized for its role as the city’s historic commercial center. Due to its strategic location on the Illinois River, the district is home to some of Peoria’s earliest commercial developments dating all the way back to the 1870s. The district’s continuous building activity throughout the 20th century demonstrates the downtown area’s importance as a commercial and cultural center in Peoria.

READ MORE: Things to Do in Peoria, Illinois

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