An Era of Unforgettable Optimism

Modern architecture’s greatest virtue was that it embraced an optimistic, forward-thinking, altogether new way of viewing our built environment.

Peoria Modern is a philanthropic and heartfelt effort to preserve and document for eternity the beauty and wonder that is modernist Peoria architecture and design. The project was designed to showcase great works of modernist architecture throughout Central Illinois in the historical context of Mid-Century Modern design and its roots in optimism.

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Masterpieces of Design in Place and Space

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The Geller House: On Preservation and Lost Spaces

One of the reasons Peoria Modern presents local, modern projects is to build a collective appreciation for the works, which leads to people advocating for their preservation. When this doesn’t occur, these works are forgotten.

The following article about a renowned modern residence, recently lost forever, exemplifies that preservation is not easy. It takes people who must first appreciate, then care, to keep the works intact.

Betty Jayne Brimmer Center for the Performing Arts

The Betty Jayne “represents one of Doyle’s most sophisticated architectural achievements,” AIA wrote in its recognition. “Its carefully orchestrated ensemble of horizontal earth-hugging volumes, large expanses of glazing (including clerestories), and exposed steel elements (including a floating stairway), hallmarks of Modernist design.

The Motherhouse

The Novitiate and Motherhouse campus for the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, designed and built over a half-century ago, provided a remarkable opportunity to showcase the profound philosophies of 20th Century Modernist Movement. Mister Foley’s design statement above gives a nod to those philosophies at every turn of phrase.

Hazel House

Hazel House was designed by local architect Richard Doyle who, along with his friend, philanthropist William Rutherford, and his wife/partner, Hazel, reshaped and protected much of the scenery and wilderness of the Greater Peoria region for future generations.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Built in 1959, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church energetically reflects Peoria’s mid-century optimism for the future. It is a consummate example of modernist ecclesiastical architecture, designed by St. Louis architect Frederick Dunn. The building reflects Dunn’s movement from art deco to a decidedly modernist approach.

Wildlife Prairie Park

William “Bill” Rutherford was associated for many years with the Forest Park Foundation, which formed Wildlife Prairie Park in the 1960s with an ingenious mission. Rather than being a traditional zoo with exotic animals, it would feature plants and animals native to Illinois, and take visitors back to prairie times. Once again, Peoria was innovating and looking toward the future while honoring the past.

Peoria Heights Village Hall

The united spirit of a community shines in the story of the Peoria Heights Village hall, designed by Richard Doyle. The iconic modified A-Frame style Hall with large glass front and adjacent stone walls remains a fixture in the Heights today.

Peoria Civic Center

Soon after it was completed in 1982, the Peoria Civic Center became an integral part of this dynamic community. At the time, building the Center was a strategic leap of faith that was based on forward-thinking projections of Peoria.

People

Peoria continues to enjoy profound contributions to our community and society by modernist architects and influencers.

Peoria Modern envisions a thorough exploration of the significant and valuable body of important architectural and engineering projects in both the City of Peoria and the Greater Peoria Community. By working to raise awareness of the profound contribution that this architecture and engineering makes to the cultural richness of our Community and Society, we hope to continue to highlight the importance of its preservation and enhancement.

Richard L. Doyle

*By Mike Bailey*
“The clean and simple lines, its bountiful use of windows to bring the outside in, its open floor plans, its emphasis on function as the equal of form, its integration with the natural environment surrounding it—and in Doyle’s case, the insistence on using indigenous, local building materials—enjoyed its heyday from 1945 to 1975, coinciding with Doyle’s most productive period. Maggie always found it an “optimistic” design movement, “reflecting a certain can-do, post-war sensibility” which her father “had in spades.”
*Read the full article* *by Mike Bailey (originally published by* *Peoria Magazine* *in June 2019)* *here.*

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Cletis Foley

*by Beth Johnson and Ed Barry*
Cletis Foley was the quintessential 20th-century modernist architect, ready to throw off the “shackles” of classical architectural dogma and detailing in favor of a sleek, clean and altogether new paradigm that was bold and powerful in its simplicity. Not only did he believe in the beauty engendered by this approach, he also believed in its transformative power to make society a better place. While hindsight tells us that pure modernism had its shortcomings, that passion ran deep and wide at the time.
*Read the full article (originally published by* *Peoria Magazine* *in June 2020)* *here.*

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Bill Rutherford

*By Mike Bailey*
“This place wouldn’t be the same without him.”
So said one of Bill Rutherford’s admirers 20 years ago when the Journal Star led off its local “Legacy Project” series chronicling the accomplishments of the “conservationist/lawyer/dreamer” who left an indelible imprint on his hometown ... *and* on a young man from Spring Bay named Kim Blickenstaff, who would grow up to become an entrepreneur and philanthropist in his own right, continuing in much the same vein as the Rutherford he now calls his mentor.
Indeed, list Rutherford’s contributions to central Illinois and to the literal landscape here in general and it is difficult to envision where this area would be and where it seems to be going were it not for the base built by him and wife/partner Hazel, through their Forest Park Foundation.

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Regional Considerations

Embracing a shared passion for the built environment

Mid-Century Modern’s greatest virtue was that it embraced an optimistic, forward-thinking, altogether new way of viewing our built environment. Now, in the 21st century, we should equally embrace and adopt yet another optimistic, forward-thinking, and altogether new way of imagining our future built environment. - Edward Barry, Farnsworth Group, Peoria, Illinois

Recommended reading: The Shock of the New by Robert Hughes

Peoria: Pledged to Progress

*by Edward Barry*
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Peoria was on the precipice of major change and growth. The Murray Baker Bridge and a new airport terminal had just been dedicated and Peoria was preparing to build a new County Courthouse. Industry and commerce in Peoria were growing with plans in development for a new Caterpillar world headquarters and a new Sears store downtown.
Peoria was a city that had pledged itself to progress.
This 20-minute film *Peoria: Pledged to Progress* was released by the City of Peoria, Illinois, in the early 1960's and was used to promote the forward-thinking Peoria of over a half century ago. *Peoria: Pledged to Progress* features many images from Peoria's downtown and other well-known locations throughout the area.
This City of Peoria has preserved and maintained this video through restoration efforts by Christopher Farris of the Peoria Public Library. To request viewing access, please contact Christopher Farris at ***ccfarris@PPL.Peoria.lib.il.us***.

Peoria’s Makeover

*by Phil Luciano*
“For some time it has been on the minds of many Peorians that there should be some way to tell the story of Peoria to the rest of the nation and give this metropolitan area an up-to-date image,” Altorfer said. "... It is important to everyone in the community that this be done, for as we attract new people and new companies to our area we all benefit in terms of new prosperity, greater support for our schools, churches, fund drives and other community projects, and the infusion of new people and new ideas that will keep our community a fascinating, rewarding place to live, work and rear our children.”
The brochure boasts about the Illinois River Valley, the city skyline, area medical facilities and Bradley University. Entertainment options tend toward the outdoors, especially fishing, boating and golfing, along with the Peoria Park District. New construction is highlighted by two new projects, the Caterpillar Inc. world headquarters and the Peoria County Courthouse.
*Read the full article (originally published by the Journal Star on January 4, 2021)* *here.*

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The Modern Evolution

Architecture

Influencers

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Cletis Foley

Cletis Foley was the quintessential 20th-century modernist architect, ready to throw off the “shackles” of classical architectural dogma and detailing in favor of a sleek, clean and altogether new paradigm that was bold and powerful in its simplicity. Not only did he believe in the beauty engendered by this approach, he also believed in its transformative power to make society a better place.

Richard L. Doyle

Richard Doyle was a trailblazing Peoria architect who designed many of the iconic, distinctively beautiful Mid-Century Modern buildings that have defined the Greater Peoria region, from Bradley University’s historic Robertson Memorial Fieldhouse to Peoria Heights’ Village Hall, The Forest Park Foundation Building, Prospect Mall, Peoria Heights Congregational Church, Tower Park and the original Peoria Heights Kelly Avenue Library, now the Betty Jayne Brimmer Center for the Performing Arts.

Bill Rutherford

“This place wouldn’t be the same without him.” So said one of Bill Rutherford’s admirers 20 years ago when the Journal Star led off its local “Legacy Project” series chronicling the accomplishments of the “conservationist/lawyer/dreamer” who left an indelible imprint on his hometown ... and on a young man from Spring Bay named Kim Blickenstaff, who would grow up to become an entrepreneur and philanthropist in his own right, continuing in much the same vein as the Rutherford he now calls his mentor.