Peoria City Hall -- February 4, 2011

Peoria City Hall, constructed 112 years ago on the site of an outdoor produce market at the corner of Madison and Fulton, has been celebrated recently with a 52-page booklet about its priceless art and architecture.

The author of that booklet, local historian Dr. Peter J. Couri, was our guide as we took a private tour and learned about all the planning, politics, and Peorians involved in constructing the Flemish Renaissance-style building.

During our visit, we saw the Italian marble wainscoting, copper cupola bell tower, ornamented stepped gables, and the open atrium rotunda with a stained glass skylight, as well as the historic murals, lithographs, ironwork, sculptures, and paintings by renowned artists Triebel, Peaco, and Roberts.

For more information about Peoria City Hall, please visit the city's website.