Peoria, Illinois Roots

Peoria, Illinois Roots

French-Canadian Jean Baptiste Maillet, who had become the leader of the village, sold his property to Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable in 1773. Du Sable was Peorias notable black settler, who also founded the city of Chicago. In 1825,Peoria county was officially organized and the village name was changed from Fort Clark to Peoria and in 1845, Peoria was incorporated as a city.

Peorians Moses & Lucy Pettengill created a safe place for escaped slaves on the underground railway at their home at Liberty & Jefferson which is currently on the site of the Peoria Civic Center. During renovations of the Center in 2005, local artist Preston Jackson was commissioned to create a sculpture commemorating the historic Pettengill Home Site.

Business

keyword 5