with the threat of proliferating railroads, mid-century canal interests were able to prevent their incursion into milan. this effectively isolated the village from the flourishing post-civil war economy that occurred in other midwestern towns. consequently, milan’s development and expansion essentially terminated in the 1850s and 60s. today, the majority of the canal-era mansions and other buildings remain intact, making milan one of the finest sites for 19th-century architectural history in the midwest. the kelley block on the village square, along with the impressive great houses on all of the village’s streets are remarkably preserved. in 2002, milan was selected by the national trust for historic preservation as a distinctive destination.