Peoria Lock and Dam Historic District
Also known as: Lock and Dam 7
Why it's listed
Peoria Lock and Dam, also called Lock and Dam 7, sits on the Illinois River at Creve Coeur, Illinois. Built in 1938 and 1939, it was part of a chain of slackwater facilities that let commercial barges and towboats travel the 336 miles of the Illinois Waterway between Chicago and the Mississippi River. The district has four contributing resources: an 11-foot-lift lock with a 110-by-600-foot chamber, a 536-foot concrete pier dam, Maneuver Boat No. 2, and a two-story brick control station designed by Paul LeGromwell. The dam is one of only two on the waterway that still use wicket gates, and the maneuver boat that raises and lowers them may be one of only four of its kind remaining in the country. The facility is considered significant for its part in regional transportation and industrial growth and as a representative Army Corps of Engineers design. Later changes, including a 1986 Tainter gate, have not removed its historic character.
Significance in brief: The district is argued to be significant under Criterion A for its role in the maritime, transportation and industrial history of the Illinois Waterway, a slackwater system linking Chicago and the Mississippi River. Under Criterion C it is a good example of Army Corps of Engineers lock and dam construction of the period. The wicket dam and its maneuver boat are described as rare resources, and the district retains a high degree of integrity.
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 04000169, listed March 10, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1071 Wesley Rd., Creve Coeur |
|---|---|
| County | Tazewell County |
| Listed | March 10, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04000169 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1938-1951 |
| Architect / builder | LeGromwell, Paul (control station designer); maneuver boat built by Calumet Shipyard and Dry Dock Company of South Chicago, Illinois |
| Architectural style | Other: lock and dam; No style: control station |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Maritime History, Engineering |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as a still-operating lock and dam facility; the lock and dam retain original appearance and function, with some equipment and surfaces replaced for continued operation. |
| Acreage | 27.3 |
| Coordinates | 40.63190, -89.62763 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 04000169.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q21197120
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.