THE HISTORIC AMERICAN PHOTO ARCHIVE • FRAMED PRINTS • STOCK IMAGES

The Music Hall & Peoria Women's Club Building, located at Fayette and Madison Streets, 301 NE Madison, Peoria, Illinois. The Women's Club was established in 1886 by Clara Parsons Bourland. The Club raised $25,000 for the construction of the club building and upstairs music hall, erected in 1893, being dedicated on Jan 15, 1894. The second floor houses an unused grand Vaudeville stage, that seats 453, a fire in 1970 did much damage. Formed in 1886, the club continues to hold meetings in a distinctive red brick building at 301 NE Madison Ave., in use since 1893.

Original photos taken by William A. Gregory who lived on North Sheridan in Peoria. William worked for Frank D. Murray, a Peoria contractor (1881-1957) who built 100+ houses, including a good number on Frye Ave. William A. Gregory was an amateur photographer, picking up the hobby early on, taking thousands of architectural and event pictures of Peoria.

The Peoria Corn Exposition (or Corn Carnival) was a late summer attraction in Peoria from 1898 to 1902 with headquarters in this building on Globe Street between Main & Hamilton Streets. This wooden octagonal building which seated 7,000 was first built as a tabernacle for religious meetings. As the Corn Palace, the entire theme of decoration was corn, both inside and out. The week-long carnival included street shows with music or jugglers at nine different downtown corners, concerts by numerous bands, a governor's day with an industrial parade, bicycle races, a ladies day, husking matches, fireworks displays, premium awards at the Exposition Building and a Grand-Masked Parade and Carnival. The 1900 program lists the official song with music by Prof. Eugene Plowe and words by Peoria poet Edna Dean Proctor. "Blazon Columbia's Emblem, the Bounteous Golden Corn."

Original photos taken by William A. Gregory who lived on North Sheridan in Peoria. William worked for Frank D. Murray, a Peoria contractor (1881-1957) who built 100+ houses, including a good number on Frye Ave. William A. Gregory was an amateur photographer, picking up the hobby early on, taking thousands of architectural and event pictures of Peoria.

The Peoria Corn Exposition (or Corn Carnival) was a late summer attraction in Peoria from 1898 to 1902 with headquarters in this building on Globe Street between Main & Hamilton Streets. This wooden octagonal building which seated 7,000 was first built as a tabernacle for religious meetings. As the Corn Palace, the entire theme of decoration was corn, both inside and out. The week-long carnival included street shows with music or jugglers at nine different downtown corners, concerts by numerous bands, a governor's day with an industrial parade, bicycle races, a ladies day, husking matches, fireworks displays, premium awards at the Exposition Building and a Grand-Masked Parade and Carnival. The 1900 program lists the official song with music by Prof. Eugene Plowe and words by Peoria poet Edna Dean Proctor. "Blazon Columbia's Emblem, the Bounteous Golden Corn."

Original photos taken by William A. Gregory who lived on North Sheridan in Peoria. William worked for Frank D. Murray, a Peoria contractor (1881-1957) who built 100+ houses, including a good number on Frye Ave. William A. Gregory was an amateur photographer, picking up the hobby early on, taking thousands of architectural and event pictures of Peoria.

Leaving for the Spanish-American War, downtown Peoria, IL (1898).

Original photos taken by William A. Gregory who lived on North Sheridan in Peoria. William worked for Frank D. Murray, a Peoria contractor (1881-1957) who built 100+ houses, including a good number on Frye Ave. William A. Gregory was an amateur photographer, picking up the hobby early on, taking thousands of architectural and event pictures of Peoria.

Peoria City Hall, built in 1897, completed in 1898, dedicated January 5 to January 7, 1899.

“This building will stand as a monument to the zeal and energy of the present, and be enjoyed by those who may not remember that we ever existed.” - Mayor of Peoria, John Warner, 1899

"The present City Hall was completed in 1898, at a cost of $234,592 and is one of the finest structures in the city. It is four stories high and built of rough brown stone. A tower extends from the roof, in which is hung the old alarm bell, formerly used in the tower of the old City Hall, simply for preservation, as the telephone and electrical appliances of the present day have superseded the fire bell for all time." -- Peoria of Today with Peoria Blue Book Directory (1915)

Original photos taken by William A. Gregory who lived on North Sheridan in Peoria. William worked for Frank D. Murray, a Peoria contractor (1881-1957) who built 100+ houses, including a good number on Frye Ave. William A. Gregory was an amateur photographer, picking up the hobby early on, taking thousands of architectural and event pictures of Peoria.

Lemon H. Wiley, band leader and principal musician of the 77th Regiment, Illinois Infantry (M539 ROLL 98), Aug. 15, 1862. He was promoted to Principal Musician June 29, 1864, Elmwood, IL (CdV).

From "Peoria City and County, Illinois: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Volume 2" by James Montgomery Rice, Pub. S. J. Clarke, 1912.

Hiroshima children holding burnt rocks from atomic blast. They moved down to the city from the hills after the atomic bomb explosion. Occupied Japan, March 7, 1948.

Captain Clarence V. Ward was sent with the US Army to provide ophthalmology care to war-refugee Japanese children and adults as well as American Service personnel.

From a photo album titled "Pictures from Japan and Elsewhere." Occupied Japan era, Captain Clarence V. Ward, US Army from 1947-1949, 28th General Hospital, Osaka, Japan. Clarence lived in Peoria, Illinois (Feb. 13, 1922 - June 5, 2009).

Ward served in the US Army from 1947-1949, 28th General Hospital, Osaka, Japan attaining the rank of Captain. He graduated from St. Bernard's Grade School in 1936; Spalding Institute in 1940; University of Notre Dame in 1944 where he earned his BS; and University of St. Louis School of Medicine in 1946. He served his internship at St. John's Hospital in St. Louis, MO from 1946-1947; Post Graduate at Northwestern University in Ophthalmology from 1949-1950; Residency at Hines Veterans Hospital in Hines, IL from 1950-1952 in Ophthalmology. He was an Ophthalmologist full time from 1952-1995 and part time from 1996-2004.

Captain Clarence V. Ward and a friend, Sgt. Ames, overlooking the ruins of Hiroshima, March 7, 1948 (unposed picture).

Ward was sent with the US Army to provide ophthalmology care to war-refugee Japanese children and adults as well as American Service personnel.

From a photo album titled "Pictures from Japan and Elsewhere." Occupied Japan era, Captain Clarence V. Ward, US Army from 1947-1949, 28th General Hospital, Osaka, Japan. Clarence lived in Peoria, Illinois (Feb. 13, 1922 - June 5, 2009).

Ward served in the US Army from 1947-1949, 28th General Hospital, Osaka, Japan attaining the rank of Captain. He graduated from St. Bernard's Grade School in 1936; Spalding Institute in 1940; University of Notre Dame in 1944 where he earned his BS; and University of St. Louis School of Medicine in 1946. He served his internship at St. John's Hospital in St. Louis, MO from 1946-1947; Post Graduate at Northwestern University in Ophthalmology from 1949-1950; Residency at Hines Veterans Hospital in Hines, IL from 1950-1952 in Ophthalmology. He was an Ophthalmologist full time from 1952-1995 and part time from 1996-2004.

Bill Breshlin, friend of Captain Clarence V. Ward, and his two friends who are dressed up for the holidays.

Ward was sent with the US Army to provide ophthalmology care to war-refugee Japanese children and adults as well as American Service personnel.

From a photo album titled "Pictures from Japan and Elsewhere." Occupied Japan era, Captain Clarence V. Ward, US Army from 1947-1949, 28th General Hospital, Osaka, Japan. Clarence lived in Peoria, Illinois (Feb. 13, 1922 - June 5, 2009).

Ward served in the US Army from 1947-1949, 28th General Hospital, Osaka, Japan attaining the rank of Captain. He graduated from St. Bernard's Grade School in 1936; Spalding Institute in 1940; University of Notre Dame in 1944 where he earned his BS; and University of St. Louis School of Medicine in 1946. He served his internship at St. John's Hospital in St. Louis, MO from 1946-1947; Post Graduate at Northwestern University in Ophthalmology from 1949-1950; Residency at Hines Veterans Hospital in Hines, IL from 1950-1952 in Ophthalmology. He was an Ophthalmologist full time from 1952-1995 and part time from 1996-2004.

USS Morton (DD-948) a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer of the United States Navy. This is the ship Clarence V. Ward first sailed on to Japan.

Ward was sent with the US Army to provide ophthalmology care to war-refugee Japanese children and adults as well as American Service personnel.

From a photo album titled "Pictures from Japan and Elsewhere." Occupied Japan era, Captain Clarence V. Ward, US Army from 1947-1949, 28th General Hospital, Osaka, Japan. Clarence lived in Peoria, Illinois (Feb. 13, 1922 - June 5, 2009).

Ward served in the US Army from 1947-1949, 28th General Hospital, Osaka, Japan attaining the rank of Captain. He graduated from St. Bernard's Grade School in 1936; Spalding Institute in 1940; University of Notre Dame in 1944 where he earned his BS; and University of St. Louis School of Medicine in 1946. He served his internship at St. John's Hospital in St. Louis, MO from 1946-1947; Post Graduate at Northwestern University in Ophthalmology from 1949-1950; Residency at Hines Veterans Hospital in Hines, IL from 1950-1952 in Ophthalmology. He was an Ophthalmologist full time from 1952-1995 and part time from 1996-2004.

Hastily assembled graveyard of Hiroshima victims, one of thousands, located near the Genbaku Dome, Hiroshima, occupied Japan, March 7, 1948.

Captain Clarence V. Ward was sent with the US Army to provide ophthalmology care to war-refugee Japanese children and adults as well as American Service personnel.

From a photo album titled "Pictures from Japan and Elsewhere." Occupied Japan era, Captain Clarence V. Ward, US Army from 1947-1949, 28th General Hospital, Osaka, Japan. Clarence lived in Peoria, Illinois (Feb. 13, 1922 - June 5, 2009).

Ward served in the US Army from 1947-1949, 28th General Hospital, Osaka, Japan attaining the rank of Captain. He graduated from St. Bernard's Grade School in 1936; Spalding Institute in 1940; University of Notre Dame in 1944 where he earned his BS; and University of St. Louis School of Medicine in 1946. He served his internship at St. John's Hospital in St. Louis, MO from 1946-1947; Post Graduate at Northwestern University in Ophthalmology from 1949-1950; Residency at Hines Veterans Hospital in Hines, IL from 1950-1952 in Ophthalmology. He was an Ophthalmologist full time from 1952-1995 and part time from 1996-2004.

Underneath the roof of the Genbaku Dome, part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan. The Genbaku Dome was the only structure left standing at the center of where the first atomic bomb exploded. Picture taken on March 6, 1948.

Captain Clarence V. Ward was sent with the US Army to provide ophthalmology care to war-refugee Japanese children and adults as well as American Service personnel.

From a photo album titled "Pictures from Japan and Elsewhere." Occupied Japan era, Captain Clarence V. Ward, US Army from 1947-1949, 28th General Hospital, Osaka, Japan. Clarence lived in Peoria, Illinois (Feb. 13, 1922 - June 5, 2009).

Ward served in the US Army from 1947-1949, 28th General Hospital, Osaka, Japan attaining the rank of Captain. He graduated from St. Bernard's Grade School in 1936; Spalding Institute in 1940; University of Notre Dame in 1944 where he earned his BS; and University of St. Louis School of Medicine in 1946. He served his internship at St. John's Hospital in St. Louis, MO from 1946-1947; Post Graduate at Northwestern University in Ophthalmology from 1949-1950; Residency at Hines Veterans Hospital in Hines, IL from 1950-1952 in Ophthalmology. He was an Ophthalmologist full time from 1952-1995 and part time from 1996-2004.

"Erected By Hiroshima Children's Cultural Assoc In Memory of The Explosion And To Make The Event The CornerStone Of the Eternal World Peace." Sign at Genbaku Dome, part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan. The Genbaku Dome was the only structure left standing at the center of where the first atomic bomb exploded. Picture taken on March 6, 1948.

Captain Clarence V. Ward was sent with the US Army to provide ophthalmology care to war-refugee Japanese children and adults as well as American Service personnel.

From a photo album titled "Pictures from Japan and Elsewhere." Occupied Japan era, Captain Clarence V. Ward, US Army from 1947-1949, 28th General Hospital, Osaka, Japan. Clarence lived in Peoria, Illinois (Feb. 13, 1922 - June 5, 2009).

Japanese children in route to the hospital in occupied Japan, 1948.

Captain Clarence V. Ward was sent with the US Army to provide ophthalmology care to war-refugee Japanese children and adults as well as American Service personnel.

From a photo album titled "Pictures from Japan and Elsewhere." Occupied Japan era, Captain Clarence V. Ward, US Army from 1947-1949, 28th General Hospital, Osaka, Japan. Clarence lived in Peoria, Illinois (Feb. 13, 1922 - June 5, 2009).

Ward served in the US Army from 1947-1949, 28th General Hospital, Osaka, Japan attaining the rank of Captain. He graduated from St. Bernard's Grade School in 1936; Spalding Institute in 1940; University of Notre Dame in 1944 where he earned his BS; and University of St. Louis School of Medicine in 1946. He served his internship at St. John's Hospital in St. Louis, MO from 1946-1947; Post Graduate at Northwestern University in Ophthalmology from 1949-1950; Residency at Hines Veterans Hospital in Hines, IL from 1950-1952 in Ophthalmology. He was an Ophthalmologist full time from 1952-1995 and part time from 1996-2004.

Captain Clarence V. Ward in front of the Genbaku Dome. The Genbaku Dome was the only building left standing near the hypocenter of the atomic bomb’s blast. Hiroshima, occupied Japan, March 7, 1948.

Captain Clarence V. Ward was sent with the US Army to provide ophthalmology care to war-refugee Japanese children and adults as well as American Service personnel.

From a photo album titled "Pictures from Japan and Elsewhere." Occupied Japan era, Captain Clarence V. Ward, US Army from 1947-1949, 28th General Hospital, Osaka, Japan. Clarence lived in Peoria, Illinois (Feb. 13, 1922 - June 5, 2009).

Ward served in the US Army from 1947-1949, 28th General Hospital, Osaka, Japan attaining the rank of Captain. He graduated from St. Bernard's Grade School in 1936; Spalding Institute in 1940; University of Notre Dame in 1944 where he earned his BS; and University of St. Louis School of Medicine in 1946. He served his internship at St. John's Hospital in St. Louis, MO from 1946-1947; Post Graduate at Northwestern University in Ophthalmology from 1949-1950; Residency at Hines Veterans Hospital in Hines, IL from 1950-1952 in Ophthalmology. He was an Ophthalmologist full time from 1952-1995 and part time from 1996-2004.