Known as a cornerstone and fixture for Freeport’s downtown area, the Lincoln-Douglas Center, LLC building was erected in 1897 to house the historic German Insurance Company, which was established in 1865 and grew to be a substantial insurance firm. The three-story structure is approximately 18,000 square feet and was built in an Italian Renaissance style of architecture, featuring partial ionic columns, ornamental iron stairways, and marble finishes.
Freeport was revered as an insurance mecca. By 1897, the German Insurance Company was reputed to be the largest insurance company west of Philadelphia. It prospered until 1906 when the great San Francisco earthquake and fire brought down the company $5 million in claims.
Over the years, the building has been home to numerous professional offices in Freeport, namely the Cosmopolitan Assurance Association, Old Colony Insurance,Crum & Forester Insurance, The Journal-Standard, and the Chamber of Commerce. Currently, the Plager, Krug, Bauer & Rudolph, Ltd. law firm is located on the third floor. Also, the Courthouse Square Law Offices are housed on the second floor, and Willett, Hofmann & Associates, Veteran’s Assistance Commission, and the Glen Carlson appraising firm are located on the first floor.
Originally, the structure had a 24 x 26’ ventilated skylight-atrium; however, this was enclosed when occupied by The Journal-Standard. There are still scales in the building’s basement that were used by the newspaper company to weigh paper. Also, there are large vaults that are still visible in the building that were utilized by the German Insurance Company. The stairways have brass ornamental trim, and the stairs are Italian marble. Further, upon the apex of the building was placed a metallic statue of “Germania” which was nine feet high. It was rumored to have been removed to aid the war effort many years ago.
The building was in a state of disrepair when attorneys of the law firm, now known as Plager, Krug, Bauer, Rudolph & Stodden, Ltd., took ownership in 1979. Many windows were damaged and there was also significant water damage in the building caused by a leaky roof. Instead of tearing the building down, which was considered as an option, the new owners decided to rehabilitate the structure through a massive renovation project. Since then, the building has been a great home for the law firm.