USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria of to-day with Peoria blue book directory, 1915 > Part 9
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Owing to the fact that many children are obliged to drop out of school before availing themselves of sufficient educational facilities and also because there are always many foreign people in the city who require training before they can become good citizens, night schools have been conducted, employing twelve teachers in all, who have been devoting themselves to the personal interests of this element of our population. A day school has been maintained in which three teachers are now em- ployed for pupils who have been unfortunate in their school attendance or for other reasons which have caused them to become seriously retarded. This school is caring for the personal needs of such children in the community and because it provides for each child just what he individually needs without class restriction it has accomplished much for those who are suffering handicaps which the ordinary school cannot reach.
Just at present, definite effort is being made to relate the school system with the
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A FEW OF PEORIA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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economic side of life by the introduction of a schools' saving system which has started most successfully. At least one-half of the grade school children are already system- atically saving the small amounts of money which comes to their hands. It is believed that this is going to have an inestimable effect upon the life and prosperity of the
community in general.
A health department with a trained nurse in charge, who is devoting her entire attention to the betterment of physical conditions of the children has been provided. The free dental clinic maintained by the Peoria Dental Society has proven a great
blessing to the children of the community.
The new building now under construction on North Street, with facilites for over twelve hundred students will relieve the congestion of the present high school. Half of the schools in the city have flourishing parent-teachers associations which aid in bringing the school and the home into close and helpful relationship.
The present superintendent, Gerard T. Smith, who entered upon his duties Sep-
tember 1896, has proven himself a wide-awake progressive educator.
As early as the winter of 1837-8 a theater was advertised in the local paper and about the year 1850 the first public hall was built. To-day Peoria boasts of twenty- six public halls, ranging in capacity from cozy quarters of one hundred to the Coliseum with its seating capacity of four thousand; three modern theater buildings, the Ma- jestic, Orpheum and Hippodrome; innumerable moving picture houses, and three
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amusement parks, Al Fresco, Central Park and Riverview.
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PEORIA OF TO-DAY
PEORIA'S PARKS
The citizens of Peoria take great pride and extract untold pleasure from their parks. Fewer inland cities are blessed with greater scenic beauty, and it is apparent that Peorians have taken generous advantage of its beauty spots.
Glen Oak Park, magnificently situated, with picturesque nooks and corners, stately trees, rock bound ravines and mirror lake, demonstrates that nature has been very partial to it. It offers wonderful opportunities for rest and recreation. Thousands of men, women and children enjoy its boating, tennis courts, base ball diamonds, pavilion and children's play grounds. A walk through the Palm House is never over-looked by the visitor. Banked with ever blooming flowers, and its cool bubbling fountains, it is truly an inspiration.
Bradley Park, enthralls one with the picture that greets the eye, the peaceful valley below, with its well appointed drives among the splendid trees, the shrubbery, beautiful beds of flowers, and the wooded hills surrounding it, is evidence that nothing has been left undone in this masterpiece.
An appropriate memorial in honor of Laura Bradley has been erected at the Main Street entrance. In design it is a statue of Hebe, with two ornamental lights and four bubbling cups.
The children's play grounds and tennis courts are two of its features that attract thousands of Peorians and band concerts are given alternately each Sunday between this and Glen Oak Park.
South Park, which is not as large as some of the others, compares favorably in beauty. In addition to the recreations offered by the others, South Park has an artificial lake, for the children to paddle in.
The magnificent fire proof pavilion is complete in every detail. It is so equipped that suppers and all kinds of entertainments may be had without practically any labor. The band stand is one of the most beautiful in the state and concerts are given each Sunday afternoon.
Madison Park, is entirely different from its sister parks in that it is used almost exclusively for the purpose of playing golf and tennis. Altho resplendent in its natural beauty and the scenes of lovely driveways bordered with shrubs and flowers, the greater portion of its extensive area is laid out in golf links and tennis courts, which are patronized very freely by Peorians, and it affords this splendid recreation to those who do not hold a membership in the various clubs devoted to such sports.
Water Works Park, formerly known as "Shady Beach," the main entrance to which is at the end of the North Adams Street car line, is one of Peoria's most beautiful parks. With its tall grasses, mammoth trees, the natural beauty of the hills and woods serving as a background, and bordering on the Illinois River at one of its most secluded spots, it is indeed an inspiration to the lover of nature. This park is especially popular with children and those seeking a day's rest and recreation. No where on the Illinois River is fishing so abundant and of greater variety, consisting of bass, brook minnows, perch, sunfish, cat fish and many other species. For the lover of this sport an ample supply of boats, fishing-tackle and bait is provided. This park has a shelter house, pavilion, free picnic grounds with tables, swings, teeter totters, base ball diamond, soft drinks and refreshment stands of all kinds. It is the coolest, most beautiful
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shaded place in Peoria, and provides free picnic grounds for churches clubs, lodges and private parties. Reservations may be made at any time upon application to the superintendent, E. P. Hixson, telephone Main 2520.
In connection with the foregoing, mention should be made of Terrace Park, Tower Park, Grand View Park and Gibson Pathway and the four small parks under the supervision of the city, Morton Square, Lincoln Park, Statehouse Square and Eckwood Park.
It is an undisputed fact that Peoria has more beautiful parks than any other city of its size in the United States.
VIEWS FROM WATER WORKS PARK
WATER SPORTS IN PLENTY
The Illinois River which broadens into Lake Peoria at the city, is a magnet for thousands who love the water. Palatial excursion steamers, the canoe, catboat, motor boat, yacht and yawl dip and bow and pick their way to the lily pads, the bathing beaches, "where the fish are biting" or to the up-river an usement parks.
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PEORIA WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN HOME MISSION BY MRS. E. S. WILLCOX
The Peoria Women's Christian Home Mission was organized in 1875 and incorporated in 1876. Its first work was the visita- tion of the poor, especially the sick poor. The object being to assist those in poverty or misfortune to become self -supporting. Growing out of this work the necessity of a home for homeless women and children became urgent, and after occupying various quarters and smaller homes the present beautiful and commodious Home for the Friendless on Knoxville Avenue was built in 1890.
Here we provide for from seventy to eighty children who, but for its sheltering care, would be homeless. It is under the supervision of a board of fifteen managers, chosen from the members of the Mission, faithful conscientious women whose aim it is to give these unfortunate little ones their personal care and the comforts, training and advantages of a well ordered, Christian home.
Of these children, some are fatherless, some are motherless, and others have been deserted by one or both of their irresponsible parents. Some are wards of the court and the county. By far the greater number of all who come to us are returned to their parents when the need of such help is past, or their parents have proved themselves worthy. Some are placed in homes. About fifty of the older children attend the Columbia school, and for the younger ones we have the Phoebe Rose Kindergarten on our own premises, in a new building, well equipped-the gift of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Block
The Home is maintained by the interest on its Memorial or Trust funds, annual subscriptions of the many friends who appreciate the importance of the work, mem- bership fees, small sums paid weekly by the parents, according to their means. The county pays $7 a month for dependent children under its care, and we are generously remembered with donations.
The Mission is nearing the close of its fortieth year of work for the uplift and education of Peoria's dependent children. The work increases with the years, but neither our friends or our cruse of oil have failed.
Other branches of work established by the Women's Christian Home Mission and carried on until they became independent are: An Industrial School; a Home for Aged Women; a Young Women's Boarding Home.
The present officers are Mrs. E. S. Willcox, president; Mrs. Flora D. Kellog, first vice-president; Mrs. Wm. Jack, second vice-president; Miss Elizabeth T. Ellis, sec- retary; Mrs. T. A. Grier, assistant secretary; Miss Julia F. Cockle, treasurer.
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CHARITIES AND PHILANTHROPIES IN PEORIA
The Associated Charities and Philanthropies in Peoria was organized fourteen years ago, and its continued growth and the importance of the work which it constantly finds to do have more than justified its existence.
The purpose of the organization is not to give money, or food, or clothing to whomsoever may ask such gifts, but its main purposes are to give material assistance, advice and encouragement to all those who are actually in need, and to protect the ever too generous public against the impositions and repeated unnecessary demands of the unworthy. Its basic principle is to build up families and not to encourage begging.
Broadly speaking, there are three classes of people who habitually ask assistance from the public: those who, through sickness, age, or other misfortune, find themselves unable to earn a living; those who are able to work, and who desire to do so, but who, because of their ignorance of the social conditions in which they find themselves, are not quite able to cope with those conditions; a lazy, dishonest and dissolute class, who find it easier to beg and thereby live upon the product of the labor of others than to work and earn their own living.
To help the public to know what it should and should not do for those who make demands upon it is one of the large purposes of the Associated Charities Organization. Through its agents it investigates, without charge, the condition and history of every applicant for aid, and carefully separates the unworthy from the worthy and gives to the latter such assistance as they need-and tries to protect the public against the former. It knows no creed, no politics, no race, no color, no sectionalism. It has no prejudices and is broad enough and strong enough to be in touch with everyone. In its work it is assisted by the visiting nurse and a number of surgeons, physicians, lawyers, judges, hospitals, churches, employers, landlords and hundreds of interested outsiders.
The office is Room 302, City Hall, and is in charge of the general secretary, Edgar Eugene Brooks. The other officers are: Douglas H. Bethard, president; Margaret Wead, secretary; John C. Paddock, treasurer, and Guy C. Goodfellow, chairman of finance committee. The management is in a board of directors consisting of eighteen members.
The Associated Charities of Peoria has a long record of splendid service to its credit, and that the public has profited through it is shown in many ways.
THE VISITING NURSE COMMITTEE By HELEN BECKER
Maeterlinck in "The Blue Bird" portrays the Land of Happiness where dwell the common joys that bless mankind. The greatest of these is "The Happiness of Being Well."
Peoria is one of the healthiest cities in the United States. This is due partly to our splendid location, partly to the fact that we have no disease-breeding tenements nor hideous conditions of child labor, but largely also to the efficient service of our visiting nurse.
"District nursing is desirable if from a merely economic point of view. It often prevents whole families sinking into poverty and vice, the consequences of which take vengeance on society." Peoria is fortunately free from most of the conditions that cause poverty in cities. Our chief difficulties lie in the ignorance and apathy of the
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lower classes of immigrants who settle mostly in the south end of town. Here is where our visiting nurse achieves her best results. Welcomed as no one but a nurse would be by these unfortunates, she first ministers to the sick persons in the home, then sets the house in order, giving a few words of advice to other members of the family as to how to prevent further illness and gradually wins the confidence and friendship of them all. Soon the mother is taking her baby to the dispensary, is keeping house in more sanitary fashion and is telling her neighbors about the better way of living.
Some people are prejudiced against the idea of a charity nurse. We all hope to see the day when public opinion will endorse a health insurance tax; the poor to pay the little they can afford, which will give them the right to call on the nurse, while the rich make up the financial deficit because they realize that any agency promoting public health makes the city a safer place for themselves and their children. At present, organized charity is the best available agency for handling the work. In Peoria the visiting nurse is supported by a committee of thirty women who solicit the necessary funds. This committee is a branch of the Associated Charities.
THE PEORIA BETTERMENT ASSOCIATION
The Peoria Betterment Association was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois, April 4, 1910. The stated object of the Association is "the moral and social betterment of the people of the City of Peoria" and it proposes to accomplish its purpose through the maintenance of settlement houses and club houses. The management of the Association is placed in the hands of a board of nine directors, three to be elected each year.
The Association came into being as a result of the combination under one man- agement of the activities of two centers of social work, Neighborhood House and the American Club.
During the years of their development these two origanizations have drawn to their support a group of men and women interested in social betterment and training for citizenship, several of whom were interested in both institutions.
Five years of social uplift work as a chartered institution, seven previous years of developing activities without a charter, preceded by five years of Sunday school, club and class work in the same community has demonstrated the unique value of Neighborhood House. It has proven the effectiveness of its methods and organization, and has inspired such confidence in the citizens of Peoria that they will soon provide the new building that is now so much needed for its enlarging activities.
THE CHILD WELFARE LEAGUE
Peoria's Child Welfare League is Peoria's child welfare specialist. It is the clearing house for the city's child welfare endeavor. Its eighty affiliated organizations, engrossed-and rightly so-in their own civic, moral, industrial or educational affairs, are privileged to bring their problems of childhood before this federation, this League unit, whose composite strength almost forces action without which floods of ideas or torrents of words are non-effective.
Since its organization in April, 1912, it has received many evidences of public approbation: and through its efforts were made possible pure milk stations, dispen- saries and free clinics; care and training for Peoria's blind babies; the infant welfare work; recording birth registrations; dental and medical inspection in the school; a school nurse; a special teacher for retarded children; and parent-teacher's associa- tions in nearly every district.
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YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
The first steps taken to interest Peoria in the need of a Young Women's Christian Association was in 1893. Public opinion was with the cause from the outset and il evidence of this fact many generous pledge were made. In 1894 the organization wa incorporated and in 1909 dedicated thei beautiful new home on Liberty Street, op posite the Jefferson Hotel. The building is a stately structure of old English archi EE tecture, is three stories in height and occupies ground space 63 by 93 feet The large living room, comfortable chairs fire place, restful coloring, and beautifu NEWITT & EMERSON furnishings, impress one with the homelik atmosphere upon entering. There is pleasant library with many popular periodicals on the table, a quiet rest room, a large gymnasium and an inviting cafeteria where appetizing lunches are served each day.
At the twentieth annual meeting in January the reports showed the large place that the Association is taking in the lives of its 1700 members.
The board of directors consists of twenty-seven faithful women, with Mrs. Charles A. Bennett serving her third year as president; Mrs. James M. Morse is secretary and Mrs. Ezra Tobias treasurer. There are seven secretaries whose whole time is given to the work
The activities consist of clubs for business and industrial girls, Camp Fire group for grade and High School girls, educational classes, gymnasium and Bible study. Th work of the Travelers' Aid at the Union Station has proved to be a strong feature o this Association. The social life is met through parties, banquets and socials and i the dining room where life-long friendships have been made, in the clubs and classes and at the Vesper service which is held every Sunday afternoon at 4:30. The new Henry C. Block Y. W C. A. Cottage, overlooking the beautiful Illinois, and less than an hour's street car ride from down town will be open this summer and will be an idea place to spend a night, a week-end or a week.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
The Young Men's Christian Associa tion had its first awakening the yea 1858, but was not incorporated unti the year 1882. However, the Associa tion did not become permanently located in a building constructed especially fo that purpose until 1891. The obligation thus assumed could not be fulfilled, and in 1909 the building was sold. Thi aroused a number of warm-hearted citizens who held notes to cancel them thereby obliterating all indebtedness. The Association then established temporary quarters in the Jefferson Building
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where it remained until moving into its present magnificent new home. Immediately after the old Y. M. C. A. building was sold a campaign was started for the purpose of raising funds for the new building. At the end of a strenuous ten days canvass the magnificent sum of $104,000 had been pledged, and the present handsome building located on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Franklin Street was completed in 1912. The cost of the building, $105,000, and furnishings, $15,000, was all paid up at its completion. The building is one of the finest and most complete in the state, affording its members social and educational opportunities; a place to meet and to live; to form friends and character, and to recreate and exercise. It has grown to a membership of eleven hundred, who take advantage of the gymnasium, baths and swimming pool, tennis courts, cafeteria, lounging rooms and library, Bible classes, Sunday afternoon meetings, life problem discussions and addresses and sixty dormitory rooms.
JOHN C. PROCTOR ENDOWMENT
The John C. Proetor Endowment was completed in August 1906, having been crected by its benefactor, John C. Proctor, Et a ecst of $382,000, as a home for depend- (nts and worthy poor of all ages. The building is one of the handsomest structures of its kind in the country. It is practically square, cecupying a ground space of 160 Ey 160 feet, four stories in height, exclusive of an attic and basement. The material used is a greyish Ohio stone and the archi- tectural design is highly pleasing. The interior is all that could be desired for an institution of its kind, and a special feature is the auditorium, which has a seating capacity of five hundred. Upon the death of Mr. Proctor, his entire estate of more than two million dollars, except $115,000, by the terms of his will went to the John C. Proctor Endowment, to be held in trust forever by the trustees and their successors.
THE JOHN C. PROCTOR RECREATION CENTER By A. H. HIATT
The John C. Proctor Re- creation Center is maintained by the John C. Proctor En- dowment for the use of the citizens of Peoria. It consists of a "Field House" contain- ing two gymnasiums and two bath sections, one for men and one for women, a bowling and billiard room, an audi- torium, a club room, a library, HEWITT & EMERON . ARCHTS- a swimming pool, and three playgrounds containing con- siderable apparatus, six tennis courts, several baseball diamonds, and a running track. It is practically a free institution for the public since only very slight charges are made for the use of certain activities merely for purposes of control and moral effect.
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DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION PEORIA CHAPTER
The Peoria Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized June 14, 1896, and received its charter, the same year. The purpose of the organization is: "To perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who have achieved American independence. by the acquisition and protection of historical spots and the erection of monuments.
The Peoria Chapter is but a small part of a large national society with head- quarters in Washington. D. C .. with a membership of eighty thousand, and is com- posed of women only. It is a part of their work to fit for good citizenship those to whom will be committed the future destinies of our country; to keep alive the patrio- tism of their Revolutionary fathers; and instil true patriotism and love of country.
The present membership is about one hundred and twenty and the officers are: Mrs Jane M. Butler, regent; Mrs. H. E. Chubbuck, vice-regent ; Mrs G. H. Schimpff, second vice-regent : Miss Ellen F. Clark, recording secretary; Mrs. Howard W. Fisher, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Geo. Bryan, treasurer; Mrs. Joseph Elder, chaplain.
The Chapter meets every third week in each month at its members residences ..
THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
The Grand Army of the Republic is the most beneficient military order ever formed. It was started on its triumphant march as a national organization forty years ago, and has guided the patriotic spirit of the people in the direction of the veteran soldier and sailor, giving him a prominence and prestige which he would not have had; it has permeated the public sentiment of the country and has proved a school of patriot- ism for the youth of America; it has cul- tivated a love for the flag and placed it on every public building in the land; it has HRWITTE FMEPSON ACOMIS been an object lesson to the hordes of foreign born who are flocking to our shores-a lesson which they are rapidly learning; it represents, to the American people and to the world, the patriotism of the country, the grand struggle for liberty and union of the great American army in 1861-5. It is the visible remnant of the grand army of nearly two million of men, who, in two thousand five hundred battles and skirmishes. upheld the flag of our union, re-estab- lished its supremacy, and who have given the world the great power, which makes for peace, for prosperity, for liberty and progress, for human rights, for equality before the law, for opportunity for the poor, and for help to the oppressed of every land.
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