A brief history of Peoria - University Library

22. ..PEORIA
The distilleries now located in Peoria, if run at their full capa-
city, would consume 35,170 bushels of grain and produce 167,000
gallons of spirits per day. Compare these figures with those of
any other revenue district in the United States and the leadership
of Peoria will be conceded.
The revenue bu&iness of this district is transacted in a fine
$300,000 federal building on Main and Monroe streets in this city.
The present local revenue force consists of a collector, 10 deputy
collectors, 4 clerks, 31 gaugers, 39 storekeepers, and 1 stenographer,
with a monthly pay roll of about S9,700.
PEORIA PARK SYSTEM
BY BEN F. CARTWRIGHT, SEC OF PARK BOARD.
The system of Parks was inaugurated in the spring of 1894, by
the organization of the Pleasure Driveway & Park District of
Peoria, under the general law.
The district is five sections wide and ten sections long, including
the city of Peoria, villages of North Peoria, South Peoria and
Averyville and also pari of Richwoods township. The assessed
valuation of the property within the district for 1894 was something
over $9,000,000. The law provides for a park tax of six mills on the
$100 valuation, thus the revenue derived from taxation each year ts
about $60,000, The Board of Trustees issued $200,000 of bonds due
$50,000 in 5, 10, 15 and 20 years at 4}4 per cent, interest, this amount
together with the taxes of 1895 and 1896 has furnished the means to
carry on the work.
At present there are four parks under the jurisdiction of the
Board :
Glen Oak Park, situated in the northern part of the district,
contains 92 acres; most all the improvements made have been done
at this park, as it is accessible to all. Cost of the land was $93,263.44,
cost of improvements, tools and labor, $99,204.83. This park will be
open to the public about the middle of July. A very hands :>me and
commodious Park Pavillion is being erected for the benefit of the
public and visitors, who will find there all kinds of light refreshments,
mieals, etc.
Laura Bradley Park is situated in the center of the district,
and contains 135 acres. This was a gift from Mrs. Lydia Bradley to
the Park District. No great amount of improvements has been
made as yet, but during the coming summer some work will be done
at this park and when finished as designed it will be one of the finest
parks in the west.
Madison Park is situated at the intersection of Seventh and
Lincoln avenues, on the brow of the Bluffs overlooking the city. It
contains about ninety acres, cost of same $45,000; this tract of land
is a beautiful and romantic site and affords a very desirable place to
establish a Zoological park ; its hills, valleys and ravines being all
that could be desired for a display of this kind. No improvements
of any kind have here been made as yet.
South Park is located in the extreme southern portion of the
Park District, in South Peoria. This park contains ten acres and