I have always wanted to have a really powerful metal detector
to explore buried things. You’ve seen those people out in the middle of a field
looking for something worth digging up.
As a local historian I have had that feeling stumbling upon a truly
historical person or thing in Peoria that time forgot. I enjoy bringing them back to the present for
people to read about and then back they slip into oblivion. I had that feeling when my friend JoAnne
asked me to look at the murals on the wall of the old Great Central
Building. Now what could be historical
about that old insurance building that is closed and almost forgotten? At the present time that entire property is
owned by the wonderful people that make up The First Federated Church. About
all most of us remember about that place is the magnificent, and very large,
American Flag that stands proudly there on the corner of War Memorial Drive and
Sheridan Road. It was placed there at
the request of a naval officer and executive of the company and has been there at
that corner since the 1950’s.
LIFE IN
PEORIA ,
ILLINOIS
Harry E. Wood came to Peoria to become Dean of the
College of Fine Arts at Bradley University in 1944, where his work attracted
International attention and an influx of eager students. Dr. Wood left Bradley
in 1950 to pursue other adventures and in 1954 Harry went to Arizona State
Harry Wood was a nationally known journalist and
editor and even managed to make his mark in advertising and music. While here
in Peoria he played the bassoon with The Indianapolis Symphony, Peoria Municipal
Band and the Peoria Symphony Orchestra.
He managed to find time to critique art, compose music and write and
produce plays. In one year Dr. Wood traveled to over 200 cities lecturing on
art and numerous other subjects of interest to his thousands of listeners and
fans. Harry continued to paint
throughout most of his life. He painted
George Santayana, Frank Lloyd Wright, Clare Boothe Luce and many others. Dr. Harry Wood was an extremely accomplished
man and is listed in Who’s Who In America, Who’s Who In Education and Who’s Who
in American Art. Harry was married and
had three children. Wood was born in
1910 and died in 1995 at the age of 85.
THE
SEVEN MURALS.
The Great Central Insurance Company was established in
1934 and used to be located in Downtown Peoria, Illinois before they moved out
to 3625 N. Sheridan Road in 1951. Along
with numerous directors, the crime insurance company was founded by S. Flanigon
and E. Kuecks and was well-known here for many years. Inside the building, located
on the south wall is a panel of seven paintings created by the internationally
renowned artist, Dr. Harry E. Wood. These paintings are on canvass and at one
time were covered over by wallpaper, and virtually forgotten.
Panel #1: This
painting depicts the history of crime and included a painting of J. Edgar
Hoover.
Panel #2: This
panel shows officers and staff from the downtown office.
Panel #3: The
light from the lighthouse is showing the states where GCI wrote policies.
Panel #4: Here
are some prime targets business thieves have been after for years.
Panel #5: This
is the original symbol of Great Central and some local buildings and half of
the State Capital.
Panel #6: The artist
depicts his version of a robber and victims.
Panel #7: This
painting shows all types of residential crime, a burglary and a customer.
The current status of these magnificent paintings
created by Dr. Wood is now in jeopardy because there is a strong doubt that
they will be allowed to stay there on that wall. Since these historical paintings are on canvass
they could be removed and displayed in another suitable location. If you want
to save them or can find a place for them please act now. At this point the leaders
of the church have not decided what to do with the paintings, if anything. Call BOB at 685-5258 if you have questions.
He can arrange to have your group view the paintings.
Editor’s Note: Norm is a Peoria Historian, true crime and
mystery writer. He welcomes your
comments. norman.kelly@sbcglobal.net
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