News
Peoria's Grand Hotels
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 01 July 2012 11:42
- Written by Dr. Peter J. Couri
Peoria Downtown Hotels: Then & Now
With the recent headlines concerning Peoria's downtown hotels, The Peorian celebrates a few of the grand hotels of 100 years ago.
Hotel Mayer
Opened April 1907. 162 rooms Destroyed by fire February 14, 1963. Three elderly residents were killed. Now on that site at Adams Street and Hamilton Boulevard is a Caterpillar Inc. office building that is part of its world headquarters.
National Hotel
Opened October 30, 1883. 200 rooms. Destroyed by fire November 12, 1911.
Peoria City fireman Chester Mooberry lost his life when a steel smokestack fell on him.
Now at the site of the National Hotel is an office building housing, among other professionals, several attorneys.
Jefferson Hotel
Opened in February 6, 1912. 300 rooms Razed in 1979 for the new Peoria Civic Center.
Niagara Hotel
Opened as a hotel in 1903. 110 rooms, 60 with a bath. Razed in 1968. Now at the Niagara Hotel site at Jefferson Street and Hamilton Boulevard is Hamilton Square, an office building whose tenants include attorneys and federal offices.
Hotel Père Marquette
Opened January 5, 1927. 400 rooms. Saved for future generations April 2012.
