The Steel House Revival
Donation protected
R. G. LeTourneau was one of America’s great inventors and industrialists of the 20th century. He opened his construction equipment factory in the Averyville section of Peoria in 1935. As he recognized that the Great Depression had created a housing shortage for his employees, LeTourneau developed the concept of the “Carefree Home,” a small all-steel house. Several hundred of the houses were built at his factory, until production ceased as World War II approached and steel became scarce.
The all-steel homes featured many innovations – they were perhaps the first air-conditioned homes (albeit a primitive system). Brochures proclaimed “It must be air conditioned, insulated not alone against cold and heat, but against, storm, dust, termites, flood, flame, and other foes. And it must be a trouble-proof house — a house requiring a minimum of maintenance — a Carefree House.”
The homes were located in Peoria, East Peoria, and Peoria Heights. About thirty of the structures still exist today with a significant cluster located near the Peoria Heights water tower.
One of LeTourneau’s “Carefree Homes” remained at the factory site and was used as a manufacturing office until the early 1980’s. Komatsu, who now owns the former LeTourneau factory, has generously agreed to donate the structure to the Central Illinois Landmarks Foundation. The project plan is to move the structure to the Wheels O’Time Museum facility in northern Peoria in 2017 where it will be rehabilitated and turned into a significant exhibit honoring the creativity of its creator.
The project is a collaboration of Central Illinois Landmarks Foundation, the Peoria Historical Society, and Wheels ‘O Time Museum. Other collaborators are firms and labor groups who plan to donate services to help accomplish the task.
The project, while honoring one of Peoria’s great industrial figures, will make a major contribution to the museum scene in Peoria and will show what can happen when we all come together to make something great happen.
The total cost of this effort is $180,000 including a fund for long-term maintenance. Many community partners have graciously offered in kind donations of materials and labor to bring the cash cost down significantly. Furthermore, leaders and supporters of this effort have provided $50,000 thus far! We are already at 45% of our total fundraising goal and need your help to continue to close the gap!
All proceeds of this campaign will go to funding the relocation, restoration, exhibit creation, and a nominal maintenance fund for The Steel House Revival.
All donations to our 501c3 are completely tax deductible. Donations from any Caterpillar employee or retiree will be matched by the Caterpillar Foundation up to $2,000 (please let us know if you need assistance in this process).
The all-steel homes featured many innovations – they were perhaps the first air-conditioned homes (albeit a primitive system). Brochures proclaimed “It must be air conditioned, insulated not alone against cold and heat, but against, storm, dust, termites, flood, flame, and other foes. And it must be a trouble-proof house — a house requiring a minimum of maintenance — a Carefree House.”
The homes were located in Peoria, East Peoria, and Peoria Heights. About thirty of the structures still exist today with a significant cluster located near the Peoria Heights water tower.
One of LeTourneau’s “Carefree Homes” remained at the factory site and was used as a manufacturing office until the early 1980’s. Komatsu, who now owns the former LeTourneau factory, has generously agreed to donate the structure to the Central Illinois Landmarks Foundation. The project plan is to move the structure to the Wheels O’Time Museum facility in northern Peoria in 2017 where it will be rehabilitated and turned into a significant exhibit honoring the creativity of its creator.
The project is a collaboration of Central Illinois Landmarks Foundation, the Peoria Historical Society, and Wheels ‘O Time Museum. Other collaborators are firms and labor groups who plan to donate services to help accomplish the task.
The project, while honoring one of Peoria’s great industrial figures, will make a major contribution to the museum scene in Peoria and will show what can happen when we all come together to make something great happen.
The total cost of this effort is $180,000 including a fund for long-term maintenance. Many community partners have graciously offered in kind donations of materials and labor to bring the cash cost down significantly. Furthermore, leaders and supporters of this effort have provided $50,000 thus far! We are already at 45% of our total fundraising goal and need your help to continue to close the gap!
All proceeds of this campaign will go to funding the relocation, restoration, exhibit creation, and a nominal maintenance fund for The Steel House Revival.
All donations to our 501c3 are completely tax deductible. Donations from any Caterpillar employee or retiree will be matched by the Caterpillar Foundation up to $2,000 (please let us know if you need assistance in this process).
Organizer
Brittany Erin Brown
Organizer
Peoria, IL