Early days in Peoria County, IL, and especially the City of Peoria, are recalled through a mixture of colorful tales and factual data in this new 11" x 8.5" spiral-bound book. The brand new 150-page book, is primarily a reprint of The History of Peoria, Illinois, by C. Ballance, originally published in 1870. Among the subjects from the Ballance book are: The Geographical Position of Peoria; Early history, primarily beginning with Father Marquette; More history, with LaSalle, Hennepin and Tonti; History of the Aborigines; the Ancient Frence Population; Edward Cole's Report; Ancient Fortifications; Indian War, Gov. Edwards and Capt. Craig; Gov. Reynolds; Erection and Destruction of Fort Clark; the First American Settlements at Peoria; Counties are Organized; County Commissioners' Court; the First Circuit Court and the trial of an Indian for the murder of a Frenchman; Judge Richard Young; Organization of the Town of Peoria; Public Buildings; Schools and Churches; Manufacturers, Fountries, Blacksmiths, Mills, Distilleries, and Machine Shops; Railroads; Lights; Boating on the Illinois River; Trees, Water, Coal, Stone; Ferries and Bridges; Newspapers; the French Claims Controversy; Population at Different Times; the Old Settlers Society (with over 85 names), Commerce; the Flora and Fauna of Peoria; Physicians -- Dr. Augustus Langworthy, Dr. Rudolphus Rouse, Dr. Joseph Frye, and others; Lawyers -- John Bogardus, Lewis Bigelow, William L. May, and others; Governor Thomas Ford; Banking Facilities many more bits of history and trivia. There is an index for this section of the book. Also included is an excerpt from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois, 1905, giving a brief general history of the city, the county and each of the major railroads at that time, and an excerpt on the city of Peoria from Illinois, a Descriptive and Historical Guide, a 1936 WPA project. A small street map with nine points of interest, and a photo of the city are included in this excerpt.


