Peoria City Hall, located in the United States city of Peoria, Illinois, is a historic red sandstone building designed by Reeves and Baillee. The city hall was built in 1897 and dedicated in January 1899.[2] The building is still Peoria's city hall.
Architecture
Peoria City Hall was designed and built by Reeves and Baillee in 1897 for US$271,500.[3][4]
The Flemish Renaissance structure was designed so that any one of its four sides could serve as the front.[3][5] The exterior is red sandstone from the Lake Superior region, quarried in 1890.[3][6]
The Victorian cupola bell tower from the original city hall building is at the peak.[3][4] The 4,300-lb bell was built in 1865.[7]
During construction, a cornerstone of the building was left open for residents were to drop in personal or historic items that would be sealed inside.[8]
The city hall was dedicated January 5 to January 7, 1899.[2] At the ceremony, Civil War hero turned mayor Maj. John Warner said, “Chicago has one larger and far more expensive, but gloomy and dark within; while this is lightsome, bright and cheerful in every department.”[8]
The interior has a marble staircase, ironwork railings, and stained glass windows. An 1889 statue “Love Knows No Caste” by artist Fritz Triebel is visible in the front hall.[7]
In 1912, a mural was commissioned. The interior mural depicts muses of learning, peace, and medicine along with symbols of the community and its industries.[8]
