A brief history of Peoria - University Library

46..PE0RIA
extensive warehouses and modern machinery for the roasting^ of
coffees and grinding of spices on a large scale.
Importation of teas come directly from Japan.
Peoria's unsurpassed railway and water facilities for the dis-
tribution of goods in a jobbing way are well illustrated by the
wonderful growth of its wholesale grocery trade.
PRODUCE AND COMMISSION BUSINESS
No business has increased more rapidly in the past few years
than the trade in fruits and produce. A few years ago it seemed as
though all of nature's bounteous supply of tropical food was reserved
only for the tables of the affluent and rich, and were classed
as luxuries by the poor as well as necessities by the well-to do, but
American enterprise and pluck which is a strong element in the
make up of Peoria has brought these products within the reach of
all. It is within the memory of most of our readers when it was
considered the apex of the adornment of the dinner- table to have a
few ruddy, healthy looking peaches that had been raised by careful
cultivation against the south wall of some gentleman's carefully
watched garden, but now Peoria is the central market for all such
fruits and through the activity of its merchants, nature's bountiful
products are placed within reach of poor and rich alike. The pineapple,
oranges, lemons, bananas and small fruits of the Southern
states as well as of the Pacific coast are handled here direct from
the grove. Mediterranean and other southern foreign fruits are
bandied direct from the vessel's side. Bananas are brought almost
without change from the plantations, and apples are bought and
packed in the orchards in which they are grown, and shipped to all
parts in the central west, besides the territory that would be seemingly
tribntary to Peoria. By getting these goods in this way it
has enabled Peoria to give all dealers in Peoria territory better
prices than either Chicago or St. Louis, and all merchants dealing
with Peoria realize this fact to such an extent that they do not think
of looking elsewhere for their supplies. There |are eight or more
lively and energetic merchants doing a business of half a million a
year, engaged in this traflSc. They keep well informed as to the
crop prospects and conditions, this being necessitated by the con-
tinual changing of producing centers. They arc always read3' to
furnish information to inquiring minds. As to equipments and
storage for the rapid and economical handling of all these goods
there are none better in the state of Illinois.
CHURCHES, PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND PUBLIC
INSTITUTIONS
THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING.
A magnificent $350,000 fire proof stone structure, sit lated on the
corner of Main and Monroe streets, has been for the past four years
or so the home of the postoffice, internal revenue otiice and U. S.
Court of this District.