The location of Shore Acres Park and Clubhouse, located on the Illinois River, came to life in the late 1880s. Chillicothe Mayor James Kinloch collaborated with the landowners of the “Old Woods” to develop the property that was originally owned by Lathan A. Wood. It was used as a public gathering location and named Columbia Park. The park was a well-known destination for picnics, ball games, band concerts, and dances with a steamboat drop-off point. In 1911, the Peoria Automobile Club was formed as a social and recreational organization for the automobile owners of Peoria and the surrounding cities. In May of 1913, with funds secured to build a clubhouse, it was decided that the grounds of Columbia Park would be a suitable home for the club’s new show piece. Jacob and Sophie Gauwitz, owners of the property, agree upon a long-term lease plan with the directors of the club. With construction of the club house underway, the name of the park was changed to the Peoria Automobile Club, and after several months of work, was opened to the membership and guests on Labor Day, September 6, 1915. The building, designed by Hotchkiss & Harris, Architects, of Peoria, was one of the finest in the country, accessible by automobile, steam car, steamboats, and motorboats. One of the club’s main functions was to advocate for improved roads in Peoria and Central Illinois; in particular, they advocated for a route from Peoria to Chicago that would pass their clubhouse. In 1918, a $60 million State Bond Issue was approved, which established Illinois’ state highway system, supplied funding for this route, which became known as Illinois Route 29.

   

As automobiles became more common in the 1920s, the club changed its name to the Peoria North Shore Country Club. In 1925, Club management commissioned Tom Bendelow with The American Park Builders to design a nine-hole golf course. Bendelow was known as “The Johnny Appleseed of American Golf” and is credited with designing many historic golf course including Medinah Country Club and Olympia Fields Country Club. The course would open in the spring of 1927; a swimming pool was also added with an attempt to rebrand itself. The depression would have too much of a lasting effect on the country club, resulting with the club filing for bankruptcy in 1935. In 1936, Frank Meyer, proprietor of the Shore Acres Tavern in Rome, purchased the property for $30,000. The purchase agreement included the land made up of fifty-four acres, the golf course, the elaborate club house, and the swimming pool. Shortly after the acquisition, Meyer had envisioned the golf club being turned into a summer resort or trailer city. Meyer would eventually decide not to close the golf course, and the private club was then renamed the Shore Acres Country Club. During this time, a five-position trap range was constructed on the grounds upriver from the Club House with shooters firing over the river. The Chicago Gun Club often used the range for their shooting matches, using their dining facilities, and staying overnight in the Club House that offered up to ten sleeping rooms.

   

In 1945, after several years of hardship due to the war, Frank Meyer announced that the Shore Acres property had been sold to Peoria businessperson William “Bozo” Stone. Mr. Stone owned the Avon Theater and the Grand Theater, both located on the south side of Peoria. During the time that Mr. Stone owned the club house, it was used as a bordello with burlesque-style shows. High-stake poker games were also held in the building during this period. State golf meets and swim meets were held on the grounds. In 1946, Mr. Stone made the decision to close the golf course, and plans were set in motion to sell off thirty acres to the south of the clubhouse and turn the land into a sub-division of tract homes. In 1948, after several prospective private owners passed on buying the remaining land, the Chillicothe Park District agrees to a long term “lease to own” agreement for the remaining property, including the clubhouse. In February 1962, the City of Chillicothe takes ownership of the park land consisting of twenty-four acres, annexation into the city is completed. A new swimming pool facility was constructed in 1969 to the southwest of the Club House and is in constant use during the summer months. The original swimming pool situated between the Club House and the river was filled in with dirt. In 2007, the newly revamped aquatic facility was opened that featured two water slides, a diving well, and a zero-depth entry pool with play equipment. In more recent years, the addition of a Basketball Court, Tennis/Pickleball courts, and a Disc Golf Course have been popular attractions. A lighted softball field attracts teams from throughout the area. Picnics and reunions fill the park while many enjoy fishing and watching the barges and boats from the riverbank. Shore Acres continues to function as a public park, and the clubhouse is used as a community center.

   

In 1994, the Chillicothe Park District hired Kenyon and Associates Architects in Peoria to help with the application process to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. In August of 1995, the Park District received the news that it would be added to the counties National Register for the period of significance of 1915–1935. It is Chillicothe’s only listing on the National Register and ensures that our city’s treasure will be preserved for many more generations to enjoy!