Family businesses made a mark in Illinois
Decorative sheet metal embossed with fleur-de-lis and morning glories, majestic cast-iron columns, metal facades that mimicked quarried stone ... the handiwork of the Mesker brothers helped make Illinois.
"The Meskers made a huge impact in Illinois," said Darius Bryjka, Main Street Designer with the Preservation Services Division of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. "Both companies had over 54,000 installations nationwide, and there are nearly 7,000 in Illinois. Illinois was the leading purchaser because of its location, with Indiana No. 2 and Missouri No. 3."
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