Christian Buehler Memorial Home
Back in 1932, during the darkest days of the Great Depression, a new 3-story building was opened on the wide, empty fields of what is now North Sheridan Road in Peoria. It was destined to have an immense impact on the lives of generations of elderly people and their families. This was the retirement community known as Christian Buehler Memorial. And since the beginning, it has been operated on a unique and encompassing philosophy of care that provides not only life-time security, but a high level of comfort and convenience and a profound peace of mind. It has become a model of gracious, fulfilling, and worry-free retirement living for nearly 2,000 people in the Peoria area.
Our story begins in the 19th century when Christian Buehler, Jr. was born on Nov. 24, 1860. His father, Christian, Sr. was originally a meat-cutter. When Christian, Sr. arrived in Peoria in 1860, he started a pork-packing and general butchering business. He was a pioneer in the industry because he had discovered the secret to preserving meat during the summer months.
Christian married Phoebe Potthoff in 1886. Two years later, Christian joined the well-established meat-packing firm of E. Godel & Sons. After traveling with the company for 5 years, Christian and Phoebe moved to Chicago and joined his brothers, Herman and Carl, in the newly formed Buehler Brother Meat Markets. He returned to Peoria to stay in 1906 and became vice president of E. Godel & Sons, and 3 years later, its president and sole owner.
In the meantime, the Buehler markets were growing in size and importance. New markets were established in large cities in 8 states, and Christian worked out of the Peoria office. By 1915 there were 47 Buehler Markets in business.
Phoebe became interested in the needs of older adults because of her long and close relationship with her own mother who lived with her and Christian. She might have realized the great need for a home life and care for seniors. She knew her own mother would be cared for, but she must have wondered about others in the community.
Christian profited from his chain of retail markets, the packing business, and also from successful real estate investments in Chicago. Because their only child had died in infancy, the idea of doing something worthwhile for the community became a consuming interest for the Buehlers. They decided that since the money had come from the public, they would give it back to the people.
Christian Buehler died Sept. 28, 1921. Phoebe and the other business associates took charge of the company matters. When Phoebe passed in 1926, her will caused some surprise. For it read, in part, “It is my will that the net income of my estate be given and relinquished at annual periods to the Directors of the Trust for a Home for the Aged People that in their judgment is best adapted and most suitable according to the times and conditions existing when sufficient funds will accrued in my estate to enable said Trustees to do so – said Home shall be known as the Christian Buehler Memorial Home.” Executors of the will were Louis Amberg, Sr., Edward Cashin, Arthur Bennett, George Best, and Walter Doll.
In 1928 they purchased 14 acres in what was then the northernmost part of Peoria. They made plans for a building that would accommodate 125 rooms, plus a 12-bed infirmary, dining rooms, kitchens, laundry, library, lounges, and offices from which the market business would be conducted. The Home was open to residents on February 21, 1932. Louis Amberg, Sr. became general manager of the Buehler Market chain and president and chairman of the Buehler Home.
Nearly 2,000 residents have called this extraordinary community “home” because of Phoebe’s goal to memorialize the family name in the richest philanthropic tradition. As we have grown and expanded over the years, our leadership team and dedicated staff remain just as focused on honoring Phoebe Buehler’s vision and mission.