Norma Jean, we hardly knew ye Phil Luciano August 28, 2023 The village of Oquawka barely knew Norma Jean but will never forget her.The circus elephant was in town less than...
Cruising Peoria’s Main Street Steve Tarter June 27, 2023 Depending on your point of view (and maybe your age), it was either a motorized rite of passage for central...
When Corn Conquered All in Peoria Phil Luciano May 22, 2023 Once upon a time in Peoria, corn was king. It even had a palace.For six years around the turn of...
If only that outfield wall could talk Phil Luciano April 27, 2023 How much local history do we obliviously ignore?Though Peoria loves its sports, countless passersby zip past a landmark of the...
The Symphony of Flight … Conducted from an Octave Below Gary Wright March 31, 2023 The letter, dated May 13, 1900, was astonishing in its directness and abruptness. It lacked even the customary salutation. “For...
‘The Peoria Watch’ Steve Gossard March 31, 2023 It wasn’t just any company.Indeed, the Peoria Watch Company became “the story of success and failure followed by success and...
The Demetriou Plan Mike Bailey February 28, 2023 Of all the redevelopment blueprints commissioned by the City of Peoria over the last half century, one stands alone as...
What’s in a name? Scott Fishel January 30, 2023 Gregory Wilson, former Peoria Public Schools Board president, says the names of schools should reflect the values of the students...
‘A Place for Special People’ Steve Tarter January 1, 2023 Most museums make it easy for visitors to drop by. But there aren’t any road signs directing you to the...
Peoria’s most influential woman ever? Madeleine Trolinger November 29, 2022 Some 125 years since Lydia Moss Bradley established her Bradley University, the school continues to cultivate seeds of knowledge in...
Role models of leadership Chris Kaergard October 27, 2022 Some of the most prominent public servants central Illinois has sent to the national stage have left footprints for future...
Peoria’s Architects and the Jewels They Left behind Linda Smith Brown October 1, 2022 We go by them every day, the treasures left to us by professionals of a bygone era. Peoria has been home...
Rickety, Risky Bridges Phil Luciano October 1, 2022 Click on photos to enlarge Peoria is known for its good fortune in having a multitude of sturdy bridges. But...
When the Wild West ruled the stage in Peoria Steve Gossard September 1, 2022 A little known but sensational part of Peoria’s history is that the city hosted a popular Wild West show in...
Peoria Stadium has a rich – and racing – history Phil Luciano August 1, 2022 As early as 1910, automobile races were held at Peoria Exposition Park, built as a...
Historic Peoria High, still making history Steve Tarter August 1, 2022 There are few high schools anywhere with more of a story to tell than Peoria High, still affectionately known as...
Political Clout Gave Peoria Its Ag Lab Chris Kaergard June 24, 2022 When federal officials decided 85 years ago to build four state-of-the-art research laboratories, three ended up in or near big...
Peoria Retro: ‘The Most Tragic Night’ of East Peoria’s Existence Mike Bailey May 24, 2022 The rain began to fall at about noon almost 95 years ago to the day — May 18, 1927.The ground...
Remembering International Harvester Steve Tarter April 28, 2022 CANTON — There’s an illustration on display at the Canton Area Heritage Center from a 1936 issue of the Canton...
From Peoria to Prominence Phil Luciano April 1, 2022 Central Illinois can boast key contributions to revolutionary innovations. A list of inventors could be topped by the Duryea brothers,...
