(light music) - [Narrator] In addition to the solid block of German immigrants who settled in Peoria County, other European immigrants found their way to Central Illinois and contributed to the early development of the area.

One example was Henry Detweiller, who hailed from Western France.

Detweiller arrived in Peoria in 1837 to join his older brother, John, and was immediately attracted to the river with its constant ebb and flow of cargo and passengers.

He became an early riverboat pilot, and later, during the Civil War, served as a captain with the Union's river fleet.

After the war, Detweiler remained a riverboat pilot, but also became a business entrepreneur through the development of a profitable ice business.

Joseph Petarde was born in Italy and immigrated to the United States after stops in North Africa and France.

While working for a bridge building company, Petarde was sent to Peoria to work on the Upper Free Bridge that was to span the Illinois River.

Today, Petarde is remembered primarily for the mark he made in the Peoria area through his distinctive sculptures, many of which can still be viewed today.

Examples of his sculpture can be seen as ornamental friezes on civic buildings, banks, and gymnasia, elements of local church facades on headstones and other pieces of cemetery art, and even his decorative freestanding furniture.

One outstanding example of Petarde's work is the house on Fairholm Avenue where he raised his family and whose exterior he decorated with his own stone artistry.

(uplifting music)