Effort underway to save historic Rockford doorway after fire

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) - An effort is underway in Rockford to raise enough money to save the intricate entryway left standing after a January fire destroyed the former home of Rockford Cabinet Co.

The Rockford Register Star reports (http://bit.ly/18o5ZGT ) a group of Rockford residents hope to raise $5,000 to remove the entryway and preserve it. The arched doorway from the 90-year-old building has the building's original name engraved and decorative columns. There's a pair of art-deco eagles as well.

Michael Smith and other historic preservation advocates have bought the entryway from the building owner for $1. He says it should be preserved as a testament to Rockford's manufacturing history. Their first task is safely deconstructing, move and storing the entryway before they find a permanent display location.

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Information from: Rockford Register Star, http://www.rrstar.com