Peoria Maintains Heritage

by Pat London

Long before the nation's Bicentennial Observance focused attention on historic preservation, the Peoria Park District initiated a program to preserve its oldest buildings. Park professionals have long recognized the fact that areas not used are soon neglected and allowed to deteriorate. For this reason, Peoria Park officials determined that the best method of preservation would be continued use.

Glen Oak Park's venerable pavilion, which wears a cornerstone dated 1895 and cost $23,945.70 to build and furnish, was adapted for continued service as the focal point for the district's administrative and program development. While the interior has been completely remodeled, the character of the building has been carefully preserved and the exterior remains essentially unchanged even to the graffiti-scrawled bricks with initials that have accumulated for almost a century. New landscaping was also done around the building and ramped walks added to make both levels completely accessible.

The first floor level houses an enlarged conference room, computer center, executive offices, planning and design rooms, and a print room. The second floor or porch level is used by the recreation department. The elegant "ladies parlor" now provides the recreation superintendent's office with an unequaled view of beautiful Glen Oak Park. And the large auditorium area that has been the site of community dances, a small zoo, a museum, an art gallery and a senior citizens' game room, has been divided to provide office space for the recreation staff.

Peorians were invited to inspect the new offices at an open house in May. Almost every visitor who came related an "I remember when" incident. Glen Oak Pavilion, indeed, has a special place in memory for literally thousands of Peorians.

Jerry Klein of the Peoria Journal echoed a general feeling of gratitude to the Park District for its efforts to preserve the pavilion: "There remains a grand Victorian look to this last of the old Peoria Park pavilions, with its enormous wraparound porch, its soaring slate roof, its graceful curves and cornices, its tall windows and high ceiling. Nobody will ever build this kind of thing again . . .it is a graceful remnant of an age of taste and style that is all but gone."

Proctor Recreation Center, another remnant of an "age and style that is all but gone" is also being faithfully preserved by the Park District. Last year Proctor Center was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Trustees of the John C. Proctor Endowment established Proctor Recreation Center and Public Baths in accordance with the will of the early Peoria philanthropist who left his estate to the community. The center, located in the heart of a residential district of industrial workers, was opened in 1913.

Designed by the architectural firm of Hewitt and Emerson, the building incorporated many unique features as it was planned to "use the most fitting and durable materials and most cleanable forms to make everything so far as possible, 'boy proof.'" Functional considerations and durability were not the only unique features of this building which covers a city block. Two sets of brass entrance doors flank a plaque memorializing the founder, and double hung windows with matching stone sills and lentels add to the flare and romance of this sturdy building.

The original glazed brown bricks form many of the interior walls which are not only handsome and efficient

Photo courtesy Peoria Journal Star

Peoria Park District's oldest building. Glen Oak Park Pavilion erected in 1895, still serves as the focal point for the administrative and program development of the district.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 40 September/October 1980

but require little maintenance. The marble wainscoating, terrazo and solid hardwood floors, and brass hardware have all stood the test of time. The building includes two gymnasiums with dramatic skylights, an auditorium, library, preschool area, meeting rooms, and marble-floored lobby. A project was completed in 1979 under a Community Service Grant to make the building accessible to the handicapped.

Proctor Recreation Center

In its early years Proctor Recreation Center served the entire Peoria community as an activity and social center as well as a bathing facility. During its first year of operation (1913) it was noted that 53,000 shower baths were taken at the center. Alfred Hiatt, the first superintendent of the center, later recalled that men brought their small sons for the weekly bath and one father and son regularly rode bicycles five miles to take a Sunday morning shower.

A decrease in the earnings of the Proctor Endowment in the late 1920s led the trustees to offer the center to the Park District as a gift. As the board lacked the legal authority to accept the center and provide for its maintenance, the offer was rejected. The center was closed on December 31, 1932.

A successful campaign was immediately launched to obtain enabling legislation for the Park District to levy an annual tax "not to exceed one-fourth mill on the dollar" for the purpose of maintaining, improving and operating recreation and community centers. The levy was overwhelmingly approved and the Park District reopened Proctor Center in 1935. During the first year of operation by the Park District the center recorded an average monthly attendance of 25,000.

Proctor Recreation Center continues to be a landmark in the Park District and a cornerstone of its recreation programming.

Frances Patton (Pat) Landen accepted a temporary assignment with the Peoria Park District in 1969 to help edit and print the district's 1970 MASTER PLAN. She remained to assist in the establishment of a Public Relations / Communications Department for the district.

A native of the Missouri Ozarks, Pat Landen earned the Bachelor of Journalism degree at the University of Missouri. After five years as assistant editor of a weekly newspaper in Northeast Missouri, she returned to the University and completed work on a Master of Arts degree in Journalism, history and political science. She served three years as a research associate with the State Historical Society of Missouri.

With her husband, she was one of the original volunteers for the Arts and Science Federation which became Lakeview Arts and Science Center. Mrs. Landen served as director of publications for the center for eleven years.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 41 September/October 1980