History

Green View is a family owned business founded in Peoria, Illinois, USA in the year 1955 by Peter W. Hoerr (1902-1992). Peter, a first generation American of German descent, operated the business out of his home. The company originated as "Peter W. Hoerr Trucking and Landscaping" which had one employee besides Mr. Hoerr. Peter's father, John C. Hoerr, (1872-1959) at the age of 16 came to America in 1889 from Germany. He was a farmer by trade and later in life became an estate gardener for a prominent family in Peoria. Like his father, Peter believed, "The customer is always right and give them more than they expect." These principles are still the cornerstone of Green View today.

In 1958, Thomas D. Hoerr, Sr. and three seasonal employees joined the company, and the name was changed to "Peoria Landscaping Company." Landscape work at this time consisted of seed and sod installation, using sod cut from farm pastures. In 1965, 130 acres of farm ground was purchased in Dunlap just north of Peoria for sod production. All operations were moved to this location in 1966 and it is the corporate headquarters today.

Green View is made up of three separate corporations. The first is Green View Landscaping Co. which encompasses the landscape contracting operations. Green View Nursery, Inc. is the growing operations and retail garden centers. Lastly, Green View Design Group, Inc. is the professional arm of the company where design and architectural services originate.

Over the years Green View has added locations throughout central and northern Illinois, which provide landscape services and retail garden centers. Locations include Peoria/Dunlap, Normal/Bloomington, Champaign/Urbana, Springfield, and Oswego (Chicago Metro). Growing operations are located in Dunlap and Lowpoint, Illinois, and consist of over 800 acres of land dedicated to sod, trees and container production.

In 1997, Green View joined ECGC (Excelling In Creative Garden Concepts). ECGC consists of eight member firms spread throughout New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Illinois. These firms are the leaders of the horticulture and nursery industry, some dating back nine generations. The purpose of the group is to secure and introduce, exclusively, the latest in plant material and garden related items. ECGC also works with training and volume purchasing and we will bring these benefits to you.

In closing, the fabric of Green View has always been held together by a sense of family. Therefore, it is most appropriate that the lessons taught us by Peter W. Hoerr in the past will propel us into the future. They prove that a quality product, excellent customer service, honesty and hard work never grow old.