Deal reached on excavating 1908 Springfield race riot site

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Archaeological work could begin this fall on the remains of homes burned down during the 1908 Springfield race riots after an agreement was reached between federal, state and city officials.

The deal covers how excavations will be done and directs the city and the Illinois State Museum to curate the artifacts recovered. The State Journal-Register reports final approvals are needed before work begins on the remains of seven homes and artifacts from a mid-1800s immigrant neighborhood.

Project manager Jim Moll says excavation could restart before winter weather. Railroad project crews discovered the burnt remains in 2014.

The 1908 riot happened when a white mob was thwarted in an attempt to lynch two black jail inmates went on a rampage, destroying dozens of black-owned businesses and homes.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com