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(KMOV) -- Strong storms 10 days ago did major damage to an historic building.

This is the second time in a year the building has been punished by Mother Nature.

What's left of it stands on the corner of 14th and Florissant in north St. Louis

Now an effort is underway to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to save the Mullanphy immigrant home.

Sean Thomas heads up the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group, a non-profit that bought the building, hoping to save it.

Last year strong storms blew in the south wall and a week and a half ago the wind took out a section of the north wall.

For now, the building is serving as something of a giant billboard, sending a message that the area is in decline and is dangerous    

The Old North St. Louis Restoration Group is working to turn that message around

Ellis Island opened its doors to process immigrants in the early 1890's.

By that time the Mullanphy House had already been in business for 25 years.

It's been referred to as the Ellis Island of the heartland, helping immigrants find housing and jobs.

Thomas says in a century and a half, the Mullanphy House has been a reflection of St. Louis, serving immigrants at first, then as a school, then a manufacturing center.

It was neglected and abandoned like parts of St. Louis, but now is making a comeback.

If only so much money is available in the way of donations, should it go to save a building? Thomas says in case after case investing in a historic building has been a stimulus for neighborhood-wide redevelopment. 

For more information on the restoration effort, click here.