Block & Kuhl

Block & Kuhl

File:Block & Kuhl Final Logo.png
Company type	Private
Industry	Retail (department store)
Founded	1863 or 1864
Founder	John H. Schipper, C. Bonk
Fate	Acquired by Carson Pirie Scott in 1961; stores rebranded
Headquarters	Peoria, Illinois , United States
Products	Department store goods
Number of employees	18 stores (1959)

File:Block & Kuhl Department Store Final Logo.png

Block & Kuhl Final Logo

File:John C. Dunham Arts Center (49739518616).jpg

Former Block & Kuhl location in Aurora, Illinois

Block & Kuhl, initially known as Schipper & Block, was a department store chain headquartered in Peoria, Illinois. The company was acquired by Carson Pirie Scott in 1961, after which the Block & Kuhl outlets were rebranded under the Carson Pirie Scott name.

History

The origins of Block & Kuhl date back to 1863 or 1864 with the establishment of C. Bonk and Co., a dry goods retailer co-founded by John H. Schipper alongside Bonk. Following Bonk's passing, Henry C. Block joined the enterprise, which then became known as Schipper and Block Co., located at 304 Margaret Street in Pekin, Illinois.

By 1874, the business relocated to 302 Court Street at the intersection with 3rd Avenue. As operations expanded, a second outlet opened at Court and Capitol on October 12, 1879. Subsequently, they launched a Peoria store that rapidly grew to be the largest dry goods establishment in downstate Illinois.

After Schipper’s death in 1893, Block maintained control until a fire in 1898 destroyed the Court & Capitol location. The store was rebuilt on the same site. Around the turn of the century, Block sold a significant share to George Ehrlicher, his assistant. At this time, the store at Court & 3rd was closed and all activities were consolidated into the new Court & Capitol location.

In 1905, a Peoria branch was inaugurated, which eventually served as the company’s flagship and headquarters.

On January 1, 1914, with Theodore Kuhl assuming the presidency, the company adopted the name Block and Kuhl Co.. Despite this change, signage bearing Schipper & Block Co. remained visible for several years. A second fire struck in February 1922, destroying the store; however, it was reconstructed and reopened by December of that year.

To mark the 50th anniversary of their Pekin Court & Capitol store in 1929, Block & Kuhl displayed an enormous flag along the side of their Peoria store. This flag was recognized as Illinois’ largest U.S. flag at the time and honored President Herbert Hoover’s initiative aimed at supporting American farmers.

Following George Ehrlicher’s tenure, his sons George Jr. and Arthur assumed control of the company and continued operations until 1961 when Block and Kuhl Co. was sold to Carson Pirie Scott, leading to most stores being converted under that brand. In May 1962, due to financial difficulties, the Ehrlicher brothers were compelled to sell the Pekin location. George Jr. passed away in September of that year, only four months after completing the sale.

Stores

By 1959, Block and Kuhl operated 18 outlets across downstate Illinois and maintained 2 additional locations in Iowa. The store network included:

Peoria flagship

The main store and corporate headquarters were situated in Peoria, Illinois.

• Originally constructed in 1905 for Schipper & Block, it was Peoria's first building to utilize a steel framework
• Underwent its initial enlargement in 1911
• Officially rebranded as Block & Kuhl on January 1, 1914, coinciding with Theodore Kuhl's appointment as president
• Experienced a further expansion in 1916, which incorporated the installation of elevators
• Commonly referred to as "The Big White Store"
• Ceased operations under the Carson's name in 1975
• Later recognized as the former Chase Bank property
• Purchased in 2018 and subsequently renovated to serve as OSF Healthcare's headquarters

Branch stores

• Aurora, Illinois (located at 5 East Galena Boulevard, constructed in 1928, currently functions as the Waubonsee Community College Extension Center)