Name This Peoria Landmark

Peoria Landmark #421

The problem with taking a month or so off is the notes I have tend to get lost.  Sue G recalls most of what I do also.  Eugene Crandell’s grave marker, located in Springdale Cemetery, was sculpted by “Peoria’s Forgotten Sculpter” Joseph Petarde, vandalized, removed, rehabbed and reset (I don’t recall the year but I’m going to guess 10 years ago or so??  Anyone with more info is encouraged to fill in the blanks.)  I have no “rest of the story” other than to mention Elsie Crandell (wife of Eugene?) was the Petarde’s next door neighbor and is said she wouldn’t use their front door out of ‘protest’ of the semi-naked female sculpture adorning the front porch.

Joseph Petarde’s home, still standing, sculptures and all, is NTPL #364

Sorry for lack of updates, but the holidays and all that goes with it are kicking me in the ass.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Peoria Landmark #420

After Googling William & James Barstow, I think there’s a lot more to this story than meets the eye, but I’m going to refrain at this point to avoid printing false information.  This is from the 2004 National Register of Historic Places registration form for Springdale Cemetery:

The Barstow-Petheridge family plots located on South Hill can be reached by use of a vary elaborate stone staircase consisting of two 30″ high corner posts at the bottom and similar posts at the top.  The steps flare out to the right and left at the bottom.  Carved side rails, approximately 12″ high, run along the entire length of the stairs which are 6′ wide and 40′ in length.  Four steps lead up to four sections of 8′ level areas separated by four steps up to each level.  These levels are inlaid with black 6″ marble squares and 6″ x 12″ parallelograms with 45 deg. and 135 deg. angles of black and white marble.

The steps, side rails, and corner posts are of limestone.  The stair adjoins a 6′ x 40′ walkway that goes across the entire front of the family plots.  The inlaid walkway matches the staircase.  Carved corner posts mark the lot lines with each post joined with a low stone railing.

The William Barstow monument (left side) has a large four sectioned base of limestone and white marble.  A white, carved, draped, female figure is on top of the elaborate base.

The James Barstow monument (right side) also is topped with a carved female figure enveloping a large cross.  The figure stands on a four sectioned base all with traditional moldings and chamfered corners popular in the late 19th century.

Both of these monuments are approximately 6′ tall and are in perfect condition except in need of cleaning.

For JW; Stairway to Heaven played backwards by the evil satanic band from the 70′s who called themselves Led Zeppelin.

Peoria Landmark #422

Peoria Landmark #419

This is written in Springdale’s nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places: “The Zotz Family Mausoleum is a mix with a Classical Revival pediment set on rough faced limestone. The entrance doors are framed with narrow granite Classic columns that reflect Renaissance of France. The lintel over the door had “ZOTZ” cut in stone with carved raised wreathes on each end of the name. While Mr. Zotz died in 1893, Carl Feinse was the first internment in the Mausoleum in 1887. This is the oldest mausoleum in the cemetery.”

In 1852 Alois Zotz began publishing the “Illinois Banner” as a weekly German publication which eventually turned into a daily paper until Mr Zotz sold his interest in 1858.

Peoria Landmark #418

Update: Angie Kerns: The “father of Springdale” Hervey Lightner’s monument!

Righto.

Springdale Cemetery.com:

At a public meeting held in the early court house on August 4, 1854 a movement was launched for a new and more adequate cemetery. The most attractive site in all of Peoria lay in the valley beyond Birkets Hollow and in the beautiful wooded hills above. Much of the land was owned by William A. Hall, Thomas Baldwin, and Hervey Lightner.

In order to become operational as a cemetery, the large size of Springdale required the owners to procure a charter from the Illinois State Legislature. To accomplish that Peoria lawyer Alexander McCoy was hired and on February 14, 1855, he succeeded in getting the Charter passed. Springdale Cemetery was officially in business.

peoriacountyillinois.info:

The Lightner monument is the tallest one in the cemetery. It sits in a little protected area beside a soothing stream. Hervey Lightner was a prosperous man who was generally known as the builder of Springdale Cemetery. In 1879, he and his wife, Rachel, went to Chicago for a pleasurable visit. While at the hotel there, Rachel was accidentally crushed between the elevator and the elevator shaft…right in front of her husband. Hervey was so saddened by his wife’s death that he became a recluse and withdrew from business life. He died on February 26, 1896, at the age of 83 years, 5 months and 8 days.

The funeral service of the late Hervey Lightner was held at the home on Hamilton street yesterday morning, and the interment was at the Springdale cemetery. Both the services at the house and the interment were private and attended by but few of the relatives and very near friends. A committee from the Clearing House Association and the directors of the Central National Bank, of which Mr. Lightner was President, were in attendance. – Peoria  Daily Transcript, February 27, 1896

Peoria Landmark #417

Update:

This one’s a little obscure, so I’ll give you guys a pass. Here’s a brief story about Joshua P Hotchkiss, as written by Charles Ballance in his 1870 book, the History of Peoria, Illinois.

Mr. Joshua P. Hotchkiss, in the fall of 1852, opened an office of the same kind, which he called the Bank of J.P. Hotchkiss & Co., and carried it on with apparent success until his death, which happened in 1856.  Mr. Hotchkiss was in feeble health for some time before his death, and intrusted the business to Lewis Howell, his cashier, and was so well pleased with his management that he provided in his will that Mr. Howell should, after his death, carry on the business in the same name, at a salary, for the benefit of his heirs.

This Mr. Howell did for about four years; but it becoming inconvenient, or perhaps impossible, to carry out the requirements of the will, he and others bought out the institution, and for about four years carried on the business in the name of L. Howell & Co.  In 1864, it was organized into a national bank, under the law of Congress, and called The Second National Bank of Peoria.  Under that law, and that name, it is operating now.

Peoria Landmark #416

Update:

Sue G: Christian & Phoebe Buehler Jr. mausoleum in Springdale. Architect was Frederick Klein, Phoebe’s cousin.

Christian Sr., a meat cutter by trade, used a refrigeration system to preserve meat which generated national interest. Son Christian Jr. became president of E. Godel, a major meat packing business in Peoria. Plus C. Jr. & brothers had 27 meat markets in a dozen states. Phoebe helped her husband in the business which they operated out of their residence (103 W. High, designed by Herbert Hewitt & F. Klein in 1907). Christian also owned real estate in Chicago and built & owned 24 homes in Peoria.

C & P were a very unpretentious couple – no one knew how wealthy they were. He died in 1921, she five years later. Her estate was worth 1.5 million about 20 mill today. The Buehler’s only child died very young. Phoebe’s mother lived with them and actually outlived her daughter & son-in-law.

Phoebe took a great interest in the elderly. The couple had agreed to give back to the city where their fortune was made. Phoebe’s will directed a home for the elderly was to be built and maintained. Her relatives contested the will alleging she was incompetent and unduly influenced by the executors of the will – the same men who were responsible for seeing that the home for the aged was built (officers in E. Godel and employees of Christian’s). Construction of the Christian Buehler Memorial Home on Sheridan Road began in 1931.

The mausoleum is said to echo the Temple of Vesta in Rome.

Peoria Landmark #415

Update:

Sue G / Sarah A: Springdale Cemetery

Per Rice’s History of Peoria, Jerry Klein’s Peoria!, and Peoria Star 12-14-30

Detweiller, river boat captain and founder of Detweiller Ice Co., was born in Lorraine, France 6-19-1825. He married Magdalena Bachman, also a native of France, on 11-5-1848. The couple had seven children. Son Tom gave Detweiller Park, land he had purchased, to the Park District in memory of his father. I don’t know how Detweiller Drive, Marina, and Golf Course were named.

In April 1841 he was hired to manage the bar on the Frontier. His brother John, owner / operator of a hotel, stocked the bar with liquors, cigars, and tobacco even though he adamantly opposed Henry’s desire to ply the river. During that first trip, delivering passengers from Peoria to Peru, Henry was befriended by Capt Hasbrouck who let him steer the boat.

Henry worked on other boats, learned the trade, and advanced to captain. He piloted the Yankee (which he rented to the U.S. for $150 a day) during the Civil War ferrying troops and supplies often while under fire. A model of that boat which H made is still located at the IVY Club per the office manager. At one time H’s Civil War log was housed at the Central National Bank.

In 1879 Henry partnered with Nelson Woodruff in the Woodruff Ice Company. Six years later he founded the Detweiller Ice Co. H was also elected the city treasurer six times, although he never sought the office per se.

Portrait:

Born in France in 1825, as a 12-year-old boy he immigrated to Peoria, where his brother ran a tavern on Water Street. He was a riverboat captain on the Illinois, Mississippi and other rivers for nearly 30 years, and Lincoln was a frequent passenger. According to Captain Detweiller, Lincoln loved to ride in the pilot house, sit on the liar’s bench and tell a tall tale or two. Because of his friendship with Lincoln, Detweiller enlisted in the Union Army and used his boat to deliver troops and supplies throughout the war. His steamboat was one of the first to arrive the day after the horrific Battle of Shiloh. His son Thomas became a whiskey baron, and his daughters helped to found Detweiller Park in their father’s honor. – Brian “Fox” Ellis

Photo of Capt. Detweiller’s home, from the Peoria Historical Society collection. Caption reads: “Res. Henry Detweiller, river pilot and ice dealer; 606 Hamilton; built before 1856; Detweiller park given to Peoria in his honor by his son, the late Thomas Detweiller.”

Henry Detweiller was featured in the 2009 Prairie Folklore Theatre Springdale Cemetery tour.  (seconds :00 – :45)

Peoria Landmark #414

Update:

Steve K: Charles Ballance was an earlier pioneer of Peoria. He was mayor of Peoria in the 1850′s. He wrote a book entitled The History of Peoria in the 1870′s.

Biography from PeoriaCountyIllinois.info:

BALLANCE, CHARLES (deceased), attorney at law, settled in the village of Peoria in 1831, being one of the three first lawyers in the place.

He descended from an ancient family of Durham, England, but his ancestors immigrated to Virginia over two centuries ago. His grandfather, Charles Ballance, was killed in the war of the revolution. Willis Ballance, the father of the subject of this sketch, married Miss Rejoice Greene, of Virginia. Charles was born in Madison county, Ky., Nov. 10, 1800; his educational opportunities were limited to the common schools and his individual efforts; taught several Winters to defray current expenses while pursuing his studies. To his innate desire for knowledge were supplemented an indomitable will and splendid memory, which soon gave him a well stored mind.

He spent about thirty years of the prime of his life in the “French claims” legal controversy which so perplexed and harassed the early American settlers of Peoria. He seemed to be the only attorney who possessed the faith and courage to battle in behalf of the early settlers against those old claims. But he fought to the bitter end, carrying the matter from one court to another, until he won a final triumph and forever silencing the last French claimant and leaving the rightful owners in peaceful possession of their property. Mr. Ballance had in early times purchased a large tract of land in the lower end of the city where some of those French claims rested, and the successful results of his litigations forever removed the incubus from his, as well as his neighbors’, lands. Those contests gave him a knowledge of the laws bearing upon real estate, which rendered him famous as a land title lawyer.

In addition to his extensive legal labors, Mr. B. found time to prepare and publish a history of Peoria in 1870, a book of 270 pages, which was the last work of his life. He was elected alderman from the 1st ward in 1852, and mayor of the city in 1855. Mr. B. married Julia Schnebley, of Peoria, in 1835, who bore him ten children, —— living. He died on August 10, 1872, leaving an extensive estate, chiefly lying in the lower end of the city, and much of it is now occupied by the large manufactories in that quarter.

Greater Peoria Landmark #413

Steve K: Covered bridge that is just north of Princeton, Il.

IllinoisRiverRoad.org:

Located just 1 ½ miles north of Princeton on Route 26 is the Red Covered Bridge, built in 1863 and later rehabilitated in 1973. It is one of only five remaining covered bridges in Illinois and still open to traffic. It crosses Big Bureau Creek and was once part of the Peoria-Galena Trail. It was built to serve highway traffic on a major road between Peoria and Galena. A sign on each end advised travelers of the rules governing use of the bridge: “Five dollars fine for driving more than twelve horses, mules or cattle at one time or for leading any beast faster than a walk on or across this bridge.”

Sue is correct that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

According to Waymarking.com, there is a sign inside the bridge which reads:

BUREAU COUNTY’S RED COVERED BRIDGE
BUILT IN 1863

This bridge was erected under the supervision of a building committee, chosen by citizens of Bureau County at a meeting held in Princeton, Illinois on March 7th, 1863. The committee was composed of J.V. Thompson who represented Bureau County, J.T. Thomson and C.M. Priestley who represented Princeton Township, Abbott Ellis and John Mason who represented Dover Township, Isaac Heaton who represented Bureau Township and James Ross who represented Ohio Township. This committee was named, “The Union Bridge Company.”

The total cost of constructing the bridge was $3148.57, $1000.00 of this amount being paid by Bureau County, $600.00 by Dover Township and $1548.57 by public subscription. P.N. Newell collected the latter sum.
—————-
For three quarters of a century this bridge, defying storms and floods, has carried the traveler across Bureau Creek. It well represents the unyielding character of those who erected it.

In tribute, to the building committee and to the other citizens of Bureau County who, with foresight and faith, planned and builded well, this memorial tablet is today dedicated – September 5th, 1938.
—————-
Placed by the Bureau County Historical Society and the Bureau County Highway Department.

Greater Peoria Landmark #412

wiufan99: St John the Baptist in Bradford.

This is correct; unfortunately I can only find limited information on the web about this lovely church. The building was designed by George P. Stauduhar, who was an architect based out of Rock Island and designed over 200 churches.  The stained glass “corner stone” over the front door says A.D. 1922.  It is a member of the Diocese of Peoria.

There are a ton of great pictures of the interior [here].

Peoria Landmark #411

Update:

Took a while, but Sarah guessed it.  This statue sits in front of the school, facing the parking lot.  History from their website:

St. Vincent de Paul Parish was established in 1962 by Bishop John B. Franz. The new parish was formed from the northern sections of both St. Philomena and Holy Family and named in honor of the Congregation of the mission priests founded by St. Vincent. Reverend Robert L. Livingston was appointed the first pastor in June of 1962. Construction of the original buildings also began in 1962 and consisted of an 8 – room school building with a combination chapel-gymnasium and an 8 bedroom Sister’s Convent.

St. Vincent de Paul School originated in September 1962 with 300 students. Nine classrooms were added to the main school building in 1963, and in 1965, four bedrooms and a utility room were added to the convent. The church construction started in 1976 and although construction was not yet complete, the parishioners gathered for the first Eucharistic service in the new church on the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul, September 27, 1977.

The Dominican sisters from Springfield, IL served our parish for 23 years, and it was a great sadness to see them depart in 1985 because of a lack of personnel. Among the Sisters serving our parish school were the principals: Sr. Eugenia, Sr. Emila, Sr. Angelene, and Sr. Rita Marie.

The Ground Breaking Ceremony for our Parish Hall expansion took place in April 1998. Following ten months of construction, St. Vincent de Paul School moved into the new building on February 16, 1999. The air conditioned addition includes our Parish Hall, 3 and 4 year old pre-school classrooms, 7th and 8th grade classrooms, our school library, and computer lab.

There is also a recently completed addition of a new gym complex, combined with St. Jude taking away student population, I hear put them in some financial straits, although I have to admit, it’s a beautiful gym!

Peoria Landmark #410

Bonus Question: How much did we pay for all this loot, plus a half peck of apples, a half gallon of cider and a jar of apple jelly?

Update:

Christ Orchard in rural Elmwood.

We paid $47 and change for three ‘large’ pumpkins ($5ea), two smaller ones and nine assorted shaped and sized gourds, along with the apples, cider & jelly.  We “U-Picked” them all out of the patch, as we have done for several years – sure beats rummaging through a stack in a parking lot (of course they have pre-picked ones too if you don’t feel like hoofing it.)

For the record, I do believe this is in Peoria County, and I did not get robbed.

Peoria Landmark #409

Update: While their sign may be in a bit of disrepair, if you want to step back in time to a place which seems to have been frozen in time, including a rarity these days called customer service, this is the place to go.  We’ve rent-to-owned two brass instruments and they expertly refurbished a 1940′s era saxophone which now plays and sounds like new.  Nothing but praise from me for these guys.

Strode Music Co.
2510 N. Sheridan Rd.
688-2459