Recycling of discarded items has long been an attribute of the property known as the Moses King Brick and Tile Works in Colchester, IL.
Especially when it served as an artist colony in the 1990's. People would actually drop recyclable objects off knowing an artist might use them to make a sculpture or garden.
Todd and Melonie Icenogle, who just purchased the property on November 4, are keeping with that tradition by recycling an airplane hangar from the old Macomb 'Clugston' airport. The hangar is being disassembled and will be brought to the 'Brickyard' and reassembled to serve as a 'pavilion', a place where people can gather at weddings. Using the old hangar not only saves Todd and Melonie money, it saves a piece of Macomb history, and adds to the ambience of the future wedding venue site.
Todd, who works for the railroad and Melonie, a Bushnell teacher, have all intentions of keeping things at the former Moses King Brick and Tile Works historically accurate.
They, along with their kids and grandkids, have fallen in love with the nine acre property.
They know they have taken on a formidable project and by all appearances seem to be up for the job.
The Icenogles first labor has been that of clearing brush from the property, which has not been public property for many years. Todd and his son have cleared the brush away from the front of the house, which before the past couple of weeks was nearly hidden from view to one traveling down Coal Street. Todd and his son have also cleared extensive weeds and overgrowth from the back of the property which looks down upon the once active clay pit.
The Icenogles have many plans for their new investment.
The Iron Nail Brickyard Venue and Event Center will, by next spring, be available to rent for weddings. Two cottages on the property will serve as the bride and groom dressing areas. By the first of the year the main house, which sits just off of Coal Street, will be available to rent as an AirBnB.
A horse barn, which in recent years burned, will eventually be rebuilt. The Brickyard factory, which has basically caved in, will be restored. One of the small out buildings will be used as an office and another will serve as a museum.
Todd and Melonie plan on giving tours of the property, they want the public to be able to share the rich history of the Moses King Brick and Tile Works-something the public hasn't been able to do for several years.
The Brickyard will once again be an artists haven, as the Icenogles will be offering art classes and perhaps summer art camps for kids. Glass blowing was once done at the Brickyard and Todd and Melonie would like to offer that experience to people again.
Visitors will eventually be able to buy souvenir merchandise such as sweatshirts, t-shirts and caps embellished with scenes from the historical landmark.
If these articles in the Community Brief have peaked your interest, you can stop by the Brickyard as early as next month. On December 12 from 6-8pm, the Iron Nail Brickyard Venue and Event Center will be participating in Colchester's Christmas Around the Prairie. Melonie will have one of the buildings decorated for the Christmas season.
Best of luck to Todd and Melonie with their new venture.
They are not only preserving a historical landmark, they are providing an attraction to the local community that is sure to bring in many tourists from far away. Congratulations!
