local history

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Springdale Exhibit Online

Peoria Public Library is proud to present a unique photographic exhibit of the grand Springdale Cemetery. Featured at the Main Library in May 2008, the exhibit is the photography of our own Cynthia Gysin.

Many of the carvings and engravings on monuments have specific symbolism. Not only is this exhibit stimulating to the eye, but also informative as to the meaning behind the art. Did you know that animals are often represented on burial markers? Dogs are especially well represented in Springdale Cemetery and are a symbol of loyalty, implying that the master was worth loving. Lambs were used extensively on graves of children, symbolizing innocence. Birds represent one’s soul in flight back to God, or in the case of a dove, peace and purity.

Now you can view the entire Art of Springdale exhibit online, click here.

Works in Peoria History--Arranged Chronologically

1844 The Peoria Directory for 1844. (Drown)

1850 Drown's Record and Historical View of Peoria.

1869 Achtzehn Jahre in Peoria. (18 Years in Peoria.) (Zotz)

1870 History of Peoria, Illinois. (Ballance)

1880 History of Peoria County, Illinois. (Johnson)

1890 Portrait and Biographical Album of Peoria County, Illinois.

1901 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Peoria County. (Bateman)

1906 Eine Populare Geschichte der Stadt Peoria. (Bess)

1912 Peoria City and County, Illinois. (Rice)

1932 History of the Illinois River Valley. (Conger)

1950s History of Peoria County. (East)

1968 Student's History of Peoria County. (May)

1985 Peoria! (Klein)

1994 The Grandest Views. (Wheeler)

1995 Peoria . . . Impressions of 150 Years.

1998 The Very Best of Old Peoria. (Klein)

1998 Peoria: A Postcard History. (Bobbitt)

1998 Peoria Business. (Wheeler)

1999 Reading, Writing, and Religion. (Wheeler)

2000 Peoria Entertainment. (Wheeler)

2000 Peoria, Illinois Revisited. (Bobbitt)

2000 Peoria Firefighters: A Proud History. (Brignall)

2002 With the Greatest Care and Love. (Wheeler)

Available in the Reference Department on the first floor of the Main Library.

1877 Map of the City of Peoria