The Buildings

We all hold a special spot in our heart for our beloved hometown of Cairo.

Unfortunately, history and time have ravished our little community.

In reality, our cherished little town as we remember it only exists in two places: in our hearts and with the individuals who maintain the artifacts and tangible history of Cairo.

We are referring to the fine folks who preserve our collective history at the Cairo Public Library, the Custom House and the pride of Cairo, the Magnolia Manor.

These three buildings, with the addition of the Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church, which has a rich storied history itself, were the motivating factors in the formation of this project.

These magnificent institutions have always been there for us, and now it is our turn to be there for them.

Cairo Public Library

The Cairo Public Library's A. B. Safford Memorial Building is a monument to the love, devotion, and civic-minded foresight of Mrs. Anna Eliza Safford.

A.B. Safford, Mrs. Safford's husband, died in 1877. Seven years later on July 19, 1884, Mrs. Safford presented this building to the citizens of Cairo in his memory. As part of her remarks at the dedication of the new building, Mrs. Safford said, "More than six years ago, as soon as I could get beyond the thought of self, came the determination to erect a memorial building to the memory of the good and true man, one that, while perpetuating his memory, would also do the greatest good for the greatest number."

More than a century has past, yet Mrs. Safford's charge to "do the greatest good for the greatest number" is still remembered by the Cairo Public Library.

While the Library does receive some city support, the upkeep of this historical gem has always relied on private donations and bequeathments. Your gift in any amount would enable us to preserve this treasure for generations to come.

Cairo Custom House

The Cairo Custom House is a historic government building, built from 1869 to 1872, that served as a customs house, post office, and courthouse. Alfred B. Mullett, the United States Supervising Architect at the time, designed the building in the Italianate style, a rarity among federal buildings; his design features a bracketed cornice and rounded windows.

When Cairo built a new post office in 1942, the building became the town's police station. The building is one of the few surviving U.S. custom houses and one of the largest federal buildings of its era in the Mid-Mississippi Valley region.

As the Custom House depends solely upon donations for upkeep, your gift of any amount to preserve this priceless treasure would go a long way toward our goal of protecting these precious resources for generations to come.

The custom house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 24, 1973. It now serves as a local historical museum.

Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church

According to Reverend Ronnie Woods, Ward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1863. In 1875, Bishop Wayman of Baltimore, Maryland traveled to Cairo to dedicate the church on August 19th. The church’s history has been to minister to the social, spiritual, and physical development of all people.

Cairo’s unique geographic location was of prime interest to both sides in the Civil War, serving as an important gateway from south to north. As such, the city, and Ward Chapel in particular, is said to have been a participating station for the Underground Railroad Liberty Line in Illinois. Richard Hayes, a now-deceased member of the Bethel A.M.E. Church in Carbondale, once stated, “Ward Chapel played a big role in helping enslaved persons get to freedom.” History shows that many enslaved persons would come from the surrounding states to make their way to Chicago or further north, with some remaining in Cairo.

In 1916, the church had a fire in the basement. Due to the hard work of its members, the church was rebuilt in 1918. A Wicks pipe organ purchased in 1929 remains in the church.

Some of the prominent people that graced Ward Chapel during the 1960’s Civil Rights era were John Lewis (who held training sessions in the church basement) and the Reverend Jesse Jackson (who spoke at the church one hot summer night).

Similar to the Custom House, the Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church currently receives no external support. Of the four buildings listed, the church is the one in most need of immediate and extensive renovation and preservation. Your gift in any amount would help to renovate this uniquely historic house of worship.

Magnolia Manor

The Magnolia Manor was built by the Cairo businessman Charles A. Galigher in 1869. It is a 14-room red brick house which features double walls with their ten-inch airspaces, intended to keep out the city's famous dampness. Inside the home are many original, 19th-century furnishings. Galigher became a friend of Ulysses S. Grant during the time Grant had command in Cairo. When Grant retired after two terms as president, he was the subject of a lavish celebration at Magnolia Manor.

It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since December 17, 1969. The house is operated as a Victorian period historic house museum by the Cairo Historical Association.

The upkeep of this historical treasure has always relied heavily on private donations and annual event fundraising. Your gift in any amount would enable us to preserve Cairo’s crowned jewel.