Editing El Paso, Illinois (section)

==== The Legacy Building and Project XV Museum ====

The Legacy Building, located at 1 West Front Street in El Paso, Illinois, was originally constructed in 1874 as the Eagle Block Building. This historic structure has served various purposes over the years, including housing the American Dairy Association, the First National Bank, and the city's opera house. In 1894, a devastating fire destroyed much of Front Street, including the original building. However, the vault of the First National Bank survived the blaze, allowing for the reconstruction of the building, which was completed in 1895.<ref name="Legacy">{{cite web | title=History | url=https://www.thelegacybuilding.co/history | website=The Legacy Building | access-date=29 December 2024}}</ref>

Today, the Legacy Building houses several local businesses, such as Can Do Kids International, Heirloom Photography, The Legacy Opera House, and Virginia Lee's home decorating business. The building also features a restored opera house that accommodates up to 200 guests, making it a popular venue for weddings and special events.<ref name="Legacy"/>

Adjacent to the Legacy Building is the Project XV Museum, dedicated to honoring the history of voting rights in the United States. The museum is named after the 15th Amendment, which granted African American men the right to vote. A significant exhibit focuses on [[David A. Strother]], a local barber who, in 1870, became the first African American to vote in Illinois after the passage of the 15th Amendment. The museum aims to educate and empower communities by shedding light on the rich history of voting rights.<ref>{{cite web | title=Project XV Museum | url=https://www.projectxvmuseum.com | website=Project XV Museum | access-date=29 December 2024}}</ref>

The Legacy Building and the Project XV Museum together serve as important cultural and historical landmarks in El Paso, Illinois, preserving the town's rich heritage and promoting education on voting rights.