Name This Peoria Landmark

Peoria Landmark #323

Peoria Landmark #311

While searching for information on Judge Jacob Gale, I stumbled upon this story from the Ottawa Herald. At first glance I didn’t realize the Ottawa Herald was printed in Ottawa, KS, not Ottawa, IL, nor did I realize the article was referring to Peoria, KS, not Peoria, IL – but it could.

I stumbled upon the little town of Peoria last week after working on a story about one of the homes there.

It amazed me.

Call me a history nerd, but as I drove down the streets (or is it just one street?) I couldn’t help but imagine what the town was like 100 years ago. I could see Alfred Johnson’s general store stocked full of goodies and supplies.

I could picture Aunt Jane Robinson — a former slave — walking around town with her husband, Uncle Bill.

It didn’t stop there. Soon I imagined myself sitting in the old rock schoolhouse learning lessons, reading books. Or attending church services in one of the two town churches that are no longer left standing.

Peoria’s rich history fascinated me. And even though little of the original town still remains, the beauty of the area — the land, the quietness — are still there.

Not to mention the friendly people. As I drove around the small town, I was greeted with smiles and waves every where I went. One man waved at me at least four times.

But my favorite part of the Peoria tour wasn’t the houses I saw or the people who waved at me. Rather, driving around the cemetery made me realize how many people have lived in that area, how many people have come and gone. And it made me think about how many people in the Ottawa area might not even know where it is or what it is.

Those people are missing out.

Peoria Landmark #310

Josh says: No where in Peoria, IL!

Scio says: Maybe Peoria street in LaSalle-Peru, IL?

I says: You’re both right.

Not being sure what to write about, I looked up the name Hoerner. Turns out Henry Hoerner was the owner of the Star Union Beer Company which after the repeal of prohibition became one of the largest breweries in Illinois.

I also found this small article which I think is interesting.

“Star Model beer was sold in every bar in Minonk years ago. The beer was made in Peru, Illinois by the Star Union Brewing Company. The company brewed beer from 1893 until it was shut down in 1966.

While there was some debate on the quality of the beer, many beer drinkers wouldn’t drink anything else. Many of the old timers would come up to Joe Copp’s tavern (now the Alley Saloon) at 8:00 in the morning for their morning boost. Joe would line up 5 warm bottles of beer for one individual in particular who would swoosh them down one by one and then go home for the rest of the day.”

Peoria Reflection #303

Scio says “One of the large windows of Trinity Lutheran Church on the corner of Hamilton & Randolph ave in Peoria. Judging from the lack of a cross at the top of the church and the white window frames, it looks like this is the window that faces Hamilton Ave.

The Roanoke/Randolph neighborhood is a neat little area of the city.”

Exactly; and if I may toot my own horn, I thought this this was pretty good photo.

Other than the cornerstone which is dated 1925, I couldn’t find any information on the building’s history, but their website says “We are a growing congregation with over 1,100 members that was established in 1857. For over 150 years, our Lord has provided Trinity with grace-filled people who proclaim the Good News of Jesus.”

What I didn’t realize is the Peoria Bach Festival is held here. Actually, I didn’t even know there was a Peoria Bach Festival.

Peoria Landmark #301

Located in the Ronald Reagan Peace Garden on the grounds of Eureka College, this is one of 41 portions of the Berlin Wall located around the world.

Eureka College’s 1982 commencement speech as given by Ronald Reagan on May 9, now known as “The Eureka Speech”, and the first time the world heard the words START, or Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty:

President Gilbert, trustees, administration and faculty, students, and the friends of Eureka College, and particularly those whose day this is, the graduating class of ‘82:

Dan, you said the 25th and now the 50th. Do you mind if I try for the 75th?[The President was commemorating the 50th anniversary of his graduation from Eureka College.]

But it goes without saying that this is a very special day for you who are graduating. Would you forgive me if I say it’s a very special day for me also? Over the years since I sat where you, the graduating class of 1982, are now sitting, I’ve returned to the campus many times, always with great pleasure and warm nostalgia. Now, it just isn’t true that I only came back this time to clean out my gym locker. [Laughter]

On one of those occasions, as you’ve been told, I addressed a graduating class here, “’neath the elms,” and was awarded an honorary degree. And at that time I informed those assembled that while I was grateful for the honor, it added to a feeling of guilt I’d been nursing for 25 years, because I always figured the first degree they gave me was honorary. [Laughter]

Now, if it’s true that tradition is the glue holding civilization together, then Eureka has made its contribution to that effort. Yes, it is a small college in a small community. It’s no impersonal, assembly-line diploma mill. As the years pass, if you have let yourselves absorb the spirit and tradition of this place, you’ll find the 4 years you’ve spent here living in your memory as a rich and important part of your life.

Oh, you’ll have some regrets along with the happy memories. I let football and other extracurricular activities eat into my study time with the result that my grade average was closer to the C level required for eligibility than it was to straight A’s. And even now I wonder what I might have accomplished if I’d studied harder. [Laughter]

Now, I know there are differences between the Eureka College of 1932 and the Eureka of 1982, but I’m also sure that in many ways — important ways — Eureka remains the same. For one thing, it’s impossible for you now to believe what I’ve said about things being the same. We who preceded you understand that very well, because when we were here, we thought old grads who came back only after 5 years — not 50 — couldn’t understand what our life was like and what had taken place and changed. So, take my word for it. As the years go by, you’ll be amazed at how fresh the memory of these years will remain in your minds, how easily you can relive the very emotions that you experienced.

The Class of ‘32 has no yearbook to record our final days on the campus. The Class of ‘33 didn’t put out a Prism because of the hardships of that Great Depression era. The faculty sometimes went for months on end without pay. And yet this school made it possible for young men and women, myself included, to get an education even though we were totally without funds, our families destitute victims of the Depression. Yes, this place is deep in my heart. Everything that has been good in my life began here.

Graduation Day is called “Commencement,” and properly so, because it is both a recognition of completion and a beginning. And I would like, seriously, to talk to you about this new phase — the society in which you’re now going to take your place as full-time participants. You’re no longer observers. You’ll be called upon to make decisions and express your views on global events, because those events will affect your lives.

I’ve spoken of similarities, and the 1980’s like the 1930’s may be one of those — a crucial juncture in history that will determine the direction of the future.

In about a month I will meet in Europe with the leaders of nations who are our closest friends and allies. At Versailles, leaders of the industrial powers of the world will seek better ways to meet today’s economic challenges. In Bonn, I will join my colleagues from the Atlantic Alliance nations to renew those ties which have been the foundation of Western, free-world defense for 37 years. There will also be meetings in Rome and London. Read the rest of this entry »

Peoria Landmark #298

CIProud.com, dated Oct 17, 2007:

WMBD/WYZZ TV – PEORIA — Giving loved ones a place to rest for eternity can be a way of getting closure for those left behind to mourn, and now Peoria is giving residents the same opportunity with their pets.

Deep inside the property of Springdale Cemetery, you’ll find three acres of land called Whispering Woods. Saturday morning, Springdale Cemetery officials along with the Peoria Zoo held a dedication ceremony.

They unveiled two memorials, one in honor of Boomer and Leah, lions from the Peoria Zoo who’ve passed away. The second memorial honors Bill Rutherford and his dog Frosty. Rutherford was responsible for opening the Wildlife Prairie State Park, along with his faithful companion Frosty.

Peoria Landmark #293

Yes, this is the infamous basketball court that Alexis Khazzam built and then rebuilt. I understand the argument, but if you’ve even driven down this stretch of  Beach Street, as I did when I found and took this photo, you know it is nothing more than a glorified alley.

If you have a library card you can look up the Journal Star archives; barring that, here’s some other reading material on the issue:

http://peoriachronicle.com/2006/07/11/dear-alexis-xxoo-love-phil/

http://peoriapundit.com/blogpeoria/2006/06/29/zone-defense-in-the-heights-leave-kids-in-the-lurch/