PEORIA MAGAZINE March 2022

BUILDING HISTORY AND TIMELINE

1904-05: Originally constructed for Schipper & Block Department Store, first steel building in Peoria 1914: Becomes Block & Kuhl Department Store, known to most as “The Big White Store” 1961: Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co. moves in 1976: Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co. closes

1977-2015: Houses Jefferson Bank, then Chase Bank, various offices 2015: Caterpillar Inc. purchases building, intends to raze it for new headquarters project 2018: With Caterpillar headquarters relocating, OSF HealthCare announces purchase of building for $1 on Jan. 11 and says it will become new health care headquarters. Design plans initiated, abatement and interior demolition begun

2019: Exterior façade renovation begins in May 2020: Interior build-out begins in January. COVID-19 pandemic hits hard in March, accompanied by supply chain problems that delay material delivery, prolonging construction 2021: Formal ribbon cutting on Dec. 17 2022: Move-in begins in January

PHOTOS COURTESY PEORIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY COLLECTION, BRADLEY UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

48 MARCH 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE