Name This Peoria Landmark

Commonly known as the Zeller Zone, it was later renamed the George A. Zeller Mental Health Center after none other than Peoria State Hospital’s groundbreaking superintendent Dr. George Zeller.

Zeller Zone opened in 1965 and permanently closed in 2002 and is currently being leased to Illinois Central College for $1/yr. It is known as I.C.C. North Campus.

A finacial audit by the Illinois Office of the Auditor General describes the property this way:

The George A. Zeller Mental Health Center was closed to normal operations on August 30, 2002. However, some administrative operations continued through June 30, 2003, at which time the Center finalized its closure. This was our final audit of the Center.

The Center consisted of ten buildings totaling over 250,000 square feet and was located on 60 acres in Peoria, Illinois. Former Center management stated that CMS and the Governor’s Office negotiated a 20 year lease of the Center’s buildings and grounds with Illinois Central College (ICC) for $1 a year. In exchange, ICC agreed to maintain the building and grounds and provide office space and utilities to the Department’s Comprehensive Community Health Service Network of North-Central Illinois at no charge. The lease became effective December 16, 2002.

This actual door is on the south side of the property and is the home to the Mental Health Association of Illinois Valley, Inc.

Thanks to Septboy, Angie, Dick & Julie. In addition, I give Cory the coveted snarky comment of the week award: “Did they make the sidewalk that way just to screw with the patients? Because that would be really mean.”