Tuesday, March 13, 2007

A little peek into Pontiac

Here is a shot of our building...the old City Hall of Pontiac. When PROUD, our Main Street program, took it on as a project it had suspended ceilings and panelling everywhere. The first tenants of the antique mall did much of the restoration...lead by Elaine Immke and Patty Mackinson. The tenants stripped woodwork, revealed beautiful old tin ceilings, fixed and painted plaster and refinished floors. The city put a new roof on, made sure wiring and such were done and supported the project. It really was amazing to see the layers stripped away revealing the beauty of the old building beneath.

One block away is the Livingston County Courthouse. It recently received an extensive restoration of it's exterior. It's still the home of Livingston County courts and offices.
In front of the courthouse you can have your picture made with Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln worked in Livingston county as a circuit court lawyer. Bloomington artist Rick Harney has depicted President Lincoln as he looked at age 31 when he was snowbound in Pontiac for two weeks. Apparently someone thought he looked a little cold this winter and added a scarf!