Hotel Père Marquette, hotel in downtown Peoria, Illinois
Hotel Père Marquette is a 14-story hotel in downtown Peoria built in 1926, composed mainly of brick and stone with a symmetrical facade featuring straight lines. Stone decorations surround the second-floor windows, and a carved stone border at the top features animal faces and Native American imagery.
The hotel was designed by Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer and opened in early 1927 following a public naming contest that received approximately 21,000 entries. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, recognizing its significance as an example of 1920s luxury hotel design.
The hotel's name honors a French missionary and explorer, reflecting the region's historical ties. Visitors today can still see original features like the ornate Cotillion Room with its domed ceiling and decorated mirrors that capture the character of that era.
The hotel is located in downtown Peoria near Madison Theatre and City Hall, making it easily accessible on foot. Interior spaces including the lobby and public areas are open for visitors to explore the original architectural details and restored rooms.
The hotel was the subject of a public naming contest that received approximately 21,000 suggestions before Père Marquette was selected. Artist George Harding painted original murals in the 1920s, including scenes of French explorer Robert De La Salle from 1684 and a Native American village from 1673.
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