Name This Peoria Landmark

Curveball

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Although these pictures bear some resemblance to Pottstown, this is actually Peoria, Oregon, named after Peoria, Illinois and the adventuresome group of Peorians who helped settle the Oregon Territory in the early 1800’s. You can read my entry on the subject here.

The photos are from the Salem, OR online Public Library Historic Photographs Collection and the captions are as follows:

• The First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at Peoria, Oregon on August 5, 1962. The community was named for Peoria Illinois and was settled by H.A. McCartney in 1851.
• On August 5, 1962, this building complex at Peoria was used as a warehouse.
• This general store at Peoria was operated by Hazel Dobreninis at one time. In March 1963, however, the store was closed.
• This is one of the pioneer homes in Peoria, Oregon.

You can purchase a documentary of Peoria, Oregon, which seeks to answer the question “What happened to cause this once-bustling town of 700+ people to become the near ghost town that it is today? A visit with some of the natives answers our questions. A trip through this interesting community with its old and decaying buildings.”

…and just up the road in Corvallis, OR is the Peoria General Store…