1211 SW Adams (thanks, Josh). A google search came up empty to the history of this place; all I could find is that currently Peoria Transportation Systems occupies it, whoever they are.

A commenter who I would like to thank (and who I’m not sure wants his name published or not) submitted this photo along with the text-

It is on South Adams Street.

It was the location of Peoria Savings and Loan which for most of its life was in the 100 block of South Jefferson where the Becker Building now stands.

The institution became part of River ValleySavings Bank and now First Bank.

I couldn’t find any references to this online, so I am unofficially naming it the Fulton Plaza 9/11 Memorial Garden.

Thanks, tsheets.

As I said in the comments area, the statue was cast by Fritz Triebel, the same person Peoria native who sculpted the Civil War Monument at the Courthouse and the Ingersoll statue in lower Glen Oak Park.

The grave itself is of Fred Block of Schipper & Block and Block & Kuhl fame.

A nice color brochure put out by ArtsPartners titled In Plain Sight. A Guide to Finding & Experiencing Peoria’s Public Art. {pdf} describes it this way:

Many consider the bronze statue called “Peace” the most beautiful sculpture in Peoria. Frederick Triebel cast it in 1906 for the Fred L. Block family monument in Springdale Cemetery. Mr. Block chose it himself after a visit with the Triebels in New York; shortly thereafter, he was killed in an automobile/train accident. Fred Block and his brother made their fortune with the area’s most successful department store, Schipper & Block.

Why is there a Japanese Garden at the Courthouse? I have no idea.

Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau via Weather.com:

The Grand View Drive Park upper entrance begins at Prospect Road in Peoria Heights (formerly Prospect Heights) and follows the bluff line from altitude 779′ above sea level for two miles. At this point it rapidly descends to its lower entrance at Adams Street in Peoria at altitude 450′ above sea level.

Ground was broken for Grand View Drive on October 14, 1903; the Drive was completed in 1906. The small park surrounding Grand View Pavilion, together with the cement bridge at the foot of the hill, were conceived as elements of a dramatic lower entrance to Grand View Drive. The charming Pavilion, constructed in 1919, reflects the Prairie Style (with Craftsman influence) architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and his followers and presents a striking view of the Illinois River from the “narrows” to the Upper and Lower Peoria Lakes. A playground, picnic grounds and restrooms are located adjacent to the Pavilion. Picnic tables are also set along some of the scenic views.

Teddy Roosevelt came to Peoria in October 1910 and was driven to the Peoria Country Club, which is located midway along Grand View Drive. On the way back to town, one of the men apologized for the condition of the roadway, whereupon President Roosevelt gazed out over the beautiful expanse of the valley below and remarked, “What difference does it make? I have traveled all over the world and this is the World’s Most Beautiful Drive.” In May of 1927, Peoria’s first radio station adopted the call letters of WMBD, reminiscent of the first letters in the phrase of Teddy Roosevelt’s remark.

In 1996, Grand View Drive Park was placed on the National Historic Register designated as the “only linear park” to receive that distinction. The Peoria Country Club, along with many beautiful, architecturally significant homes located along the roadway, complement the panorama of Grand View Drive.

I’ll be back soon. In the meantime, do you know of some interesting places I should check out, Peoria history you would like to share, favorite childhood memories? What about things you love about our city or things that drive you nuts?

This thread is open to whatever is on your mind while I’m gone…