Prairie Building Construction Begins

On March 16, 1902, the Peoria Herald Transcript reported about the new building to be constructed at Liberty and SW Jefferson Streets: "This handsome building, the plans for which were drawn by Herbert Edmund Hewitt, the well-known architect, will be erected in the near future. At a late hour yesterday afternoon the bids were still being considered in Mr. Hewitt's office, where they were opened and it will probably be some time Monday before the contract will be let. It will be located on the corner of Jefferson and Liberty streets and while built by Mr. Hoagland, will be known as the Brown's Business College building as the school will take up much of the space in the structure. As it will be large and well furnished and handsome architecturally, it will be a welcome addition to the city of Peoria, and it will no doubt afford the business college ample rooms for the work of the classes."

On April 2, 1902, the Prairie Building was worth an estimated $34,000, according to City of Peoria Building Permit Records.

On April 4, 1902, in the "Real Estate and Building" section, the Peoria Herald Transcript reported: "The building at the corner of Jefferson and Liberty Streets, V. Jobst contractor, has been started this week, and the foundation is nearly completed. The building is to be occupied by Brown's Business College" (13).

Brown's Business College at the time operated schools in Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana with an enrollment of 3,000 students studying to be bookkeepers, stenographers, cashiers, clerks, and other office help.