Landscape
1837-1919 Peoria was considered the whiskey capital of the world with 73 distilleries and 24 breweries on "Whiskey Row" along the Illinois river stretching from State Street to the I-474 bridge.. Peoria was a good city for this because of its plentiful resources of fuel grains clean water, and reliable transportation. The Peoria tax collection district, at peak production, supplied nearly half the federal governments entire revenue. Thanks to the breweries, meat packers, potteries, casting foundries, and warehouses Peoria was able to develop into a modern city.
In 1889 the state of the art city hall was built out of red stone. Also in 1889 St, Mary's Cathedral was built.
In 1887 5 nuns arrived in peoria and created The Third Order of St. Francis. They started working with the sick and injured in a two story house, today that house has ben transformed into the OSF Hospital.
In 1889 the state of the art city hall was built out of red stone. Also in 1889 St, Mary's Cathedral was built.
In 1887 5 nuns arrived in peoria and created The Third Order of St. Francis. They started working with the sick and injured in a two story house, today that house has ben transformed into the OSF Hospital.
Population
The population of Peoria in 1870 was 22,849. It grew steadily through 1910. By 1880 the population reached 29,259, 1890 was 41,024, 1900 grew to 56,100 and was up to 66.950 by 1910. Herb Jamison, the first African American to vote in the United States, did so in Peoria on April, 4 1870.