A Peoria, Illinois History Lesson

During the 1890s, Peoria became famous for its many Vaudeville theatres and earned the reputation of being a step away from the big time if you Play in Peoria. Peorias breweries and distilleries were also big business in Peoria during the 1800s as well. At one time, Peoria boasted 22 distilleries and several breweries producing the highest revenue for the IRS on alcohol in any district in the US. The great wealth that went with that industry began a building boom of private homes, schools, public buildings, parks, churches and schools such as those located on High Street and Moss Avenue. The beginning of prohibition brought both industries to a screeching halt however.

With the turn of the century, Peorias industry began to revolve around earth moving equipment. In 1925, the Benjamin Holt Company and the CL Best Tractor Company merged to become the Caterpillar Tractor Company whose headquarters is still a large part of the Peoria economic landscape. Their competitor, Komatsu-Dresser also remains a large company in modernPeoria.

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