Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall
Also known as: G.A.R. Hall
Why it's listed
Built in 1909 at 416 Hamilton Boulevard in Peoria, this two-story hall was designed by local architects Hewitt and Emerson as a gathering place for Civil War veterans. It was dedicated in December 1910 as the Greenhut Memorial, honoring Joseph B. Greenhut, a cavalry leader who gave two-thirds of the $22,000 cost, so the building opened free of debt. The front facade of Bedford stone and Danville brick features two Corinthian columns, a stone parapet, quoins, eagle sculptures and a large stained glass arched window. Inside are a 35-by-45-foot auditorium, an oak-trimmed foyer with a barrel-vaulted ceiling, and a basement dining room and club room. A marble bust of General John A. Logan by Fritz Triebel remains on display. The hall is considered a good example of an uncommon Beaux-Arts style in Illinois and the focal point of Grand Army of the Republic political activity after the war. A local landmark foundation leased it to prevent loss and began restoration.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that the hall is a good example of an uncommon and disappearing architectural style in Illinois. It was also the focal point of the Grand Army of the Republic's political activity in the decades after the Civil War. It is dedicated to Joseph B. Greenhut, a Civil War cavalry leader who paid two-thirds of its cost.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 76000723, listed July 13, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 416 Hamilton Blvd., Peoria |
|---|---|
| County | Peoria County |
| Listed | July 13, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76000723 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Hewitt and Emerson, Peoria architects |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts Classical |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | At the time of nomination the building had no heating system and needed repairs, with restoration planned. It housed offices for the Peoria Bicentennial Committee and the Central Illinois Cultural Affairs Consortium. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Within district | Downtown Peoria Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.69451, -89.58935 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 76000723.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5594266
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.