The Ballance-Herschel House
In 1979, the Junior League of Peoria purchased the Ballance-Herschel House, located at 256 N.E. Randolph, with the goal of restoring it to its original appearance. The Ballance-Herschel House serves as the headquarters for JLP membership. In addition, it serves as a visible statement in support of historic preservation.
The house was built in 1888 by Willis H. Ballance, Sr. Willis was the son of Col. Charles Ballance, a pioneer Peorian, who settled here in 1831 to practice law. Col. Charles Ballance was very active in civic affairs as he equipped an Illinois regiment during the Civil War, served as mayor of Peoria in 1855, and published a history of Peoria in 1870.
Willis Ballance, Sr. was owner of Gipps Brewing Company, which stood on the corner of Water and Franklin Streets. Willis and his wife Augusta raised their seven children in this home.
Upon Willis Ballance's death in 1913, the house was sold to Paul E. Herschel, Sr. of the Herschel Manufacturing Company, makers of agricultural implements. Herschel was born in 1866 in Germany. He emigrated to Chicago at age 14, joining two of his brothers. The three of them moved to Peoria and founded the Herschel Company. Prior to the purchase by the Junior League, the house was still in the Herschel family.