Name This Peoria Landmark

I’ve been trying to stay away from making this post for a long time, but between life and work I think the time has come.  Having met many great people both via email and in person, learned a lot of local history, brought people together and had many a chuckle, I fear this blog is beginning to die on the vine and I don’t want that to happen … hopefully others feel the same.

On many occasions previously I had asked for help in photos or suggestions, but the time has come that I need a co-photograher / history geek to help out with postings and updates.

I’m not bowing out by any means but I feel a new perspective is needed to breath life back into this blog.

Anyone interested, please email me at peoriaillinoisan@yahoo.com

Peoria Landmark #431

This is a stairway behind Peoria Central to the athletic fields and I have nothing interesting or enlightening to say about them.

“What?  I waited a week for that??”

Peoria Landmark #430

update, and sorry for the bird stuff on the plaque, but I sure wasn’t going to clean it off:

Peoria Landmark #429

Guarding the entrance to the Peoria Zoo since the 1960′s are the Triebel Lions, one of several items on the Peoria Park District list of Historic Resources.  You can read about Otto Triebel at NTPL#375.

I found this picture of Otto’s home, 1412 NE Perry, dated 1863, in the Peoria Historical Society Image Collection.  The lion in the foreground doesn’t appear to be either of the two at the zoo.  Also note the standing Lion on the right.

Peoria Landmark(s) #428

1. Associated Bank Building

2. Caterpillar World Headquarters

3. Commerce Bank Building

4. Hotel Pere Marquette

5. Busey Bank/Becker Building

6. South Side Bank Building

7. Twin Towers

8. Chase Bank building

9. The Peoria Professional Building

10. Peoria Riverfront Museum

11. Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce on The Stilts

12. Spirit of Peoria

Peoria Landmark #427

If I ever end up in a nursing home, Courtyard Estates sounds like a nice place … the fountain is looking a little worn though.

Peoria Landmark #426

This a “bench in Glen Oak park” – found if you take the entrance from Prospect into Luthy Botanical.  The Zoo is in the background.

Why there is a graffiti covered bench sitting among weeds with a view of nothing, I can’t answer, but as far as I’m concerned its been there long enough to qualify as a “Peoria Landmark.”

Peoria Landmark #425

This is most certainly could be the new Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce offices or Gary Matthew’s Peoria office, but in reality it is an “old gas regulator station in Peoria Heights” as viewed from the Keller Rail Trail.

Photos courtesy of Paul Shirey.

Peoria Landmark #424

Tienda Mexicana is located in the area of Wisconsin @ Kansas near the new Glen Oak School.  I know nothing about this place per-se, nor what the graffiti reads, but I find the area and its many transformations very fascinating.

Peoria Landmark #423

Charles Lindbergh Middle School, 6327 N Sheridan Rd.  This is the gym wall.  There was a glaring reflection in my photo that annoyed me so I decided to screw with it in Photoshop.  That’s what happens when you get desperate for material.

After reading “It Didn’t Play In Peoria” and about how Charles Lindbergh was turned away from Peoria after seeking financial backing for his transatlantic flight, I find it odd that they would name a school after him.  I can’t see that happening today – the city seems to throw money around to nearly any project presented, good, bad or indifferent.

Peoria Landmark #422

tls1995: Bridge out at Banner Marsh. If I remember correctly it is the first turn into the marsh when heading back from Banner towards Peoria. My 7 year old loves this bridge since it moves when you walk on it. I think she likes it so much because if freaks the grandma’s out when she does it.

Correct, it is the southern most entrance into the marsh.  When you hit a crossroads, hang a right and you’ll find this bridge.

The DNR website is down, so I’m taking the banner marsh description from Gypsy Chicks Photography, selling photographs of wildlife seen at banner online.

During the 1980s, the area underwent several land use changes, including farming and surface coal mining. Today, the area known as Banner Marsh State Fish & Wildlife Area serves as a 4,363-acre freshwater marsh. The site’s 200-plus water bodies, in conjunction with its vast acres of land, provide excellent habitat for migrating and local waterfowl, numerous species of gamefish and other wildlife, while providing opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts.

If you’ve never been out there, it’s quite an amazing place to explore.

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 #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.