Kickapoo Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Kickapoo Building
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The Kickapoo Building in 2016
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 Location in Peoria County, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 726 W. Main St., Peoria, Illinois |
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| Built | 1911 |
| Built by | John Hartwig |
| Architect | Albert Keifer |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 13001005 |
| Added to NRHP | December 31, 2013 |
The Kickapoo Building is a historic commercial building located at 726 West Main Street in Peoria, Illinois. Built in 1911, this unique building was originally a place where the Anheuser-Busch Brewery sold its products. The brewery wanted to grow its business in Peoria, which was a big center for making drinks at the time.
This two-story building has a special "flatiron" shape. This design was perfect for its triangular piece of land. Architect Albert Keifer designed the building in a style called Classical Revival, with some touches from German Renaissance Revival.
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What is a Flatiron Building?
A flatiron building gets its name because it looks like an old-fashioned clothes iron. These buildings are shaped like a triangle. They are built on special lots where two streets meet at a sharp angle.
Why Flatiron Buildings Were Common in Peoria
Flatiron buildings used to be very common in Peoria. This was because of how the city grew. Downtown Peoria was laid out in a grid, like a checkerboard, that followed the Illinois River. But newer parts of the city were built facing the main compass directions (north, south, east, west).
When streets from these newer areas extended into downtown, they often created triangular pieces of land. The Kickapoo Building's lot was formed by three streets: Main Street, Glendale Avenue, and Knoxville Avenue.
A Special Design in Peoria
The Kickapoo Building was not the first building on its triangular lot. However, it was the first one to use the entire space in a clever way. Over time, many of Peoria's diagonal streets in the downtown area disappeared. New buildings and highways were built, and many flatiron buildings were torn down.
The Kickapoo Building is special because it is one of the few flatiron buildings that are still standing. It also has fancy storefronts on all three sides, which makes it even more unique.
A Historic Landmark
The Kickapoo Building is important because of its history and its special design. On December 31, 2013, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as a significant historical site that should be preserved.
