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thePeorian.com
The Past
Holt Manufacturing gave the
world its first view of its new
Caterpillar 45. Rival C.L. Best
introduced a similar tracklayer,
the Model 40. George Wood
arrived from Chicago to speak
every day about his nationally
respected expertise on “soil
development and conservation.”
Stunt biplanes performed
daily, looping the loop above
the crowds with thrills and awe.
Their group was supervised
by Lincoln Beachy, one of the
nation’s top pioneer aviators and
barnstormers. He would be killed
in a crash a few months after he
was in Peoria.
Bob Burman, the “World’s
Speed King” in auto racing, was
hired to organize thrilling auto
races during the exposition.
The crowds cheered the loudest
when “Wild Bill’ Endicott raced
the JAY-EYE-SEE. This racing
auto was made by J. I. Case
Company and was commonly
called “Case’s horses.” Both men
drove in the first Indianapolis
500
in 1911. Burman would also
be killed in a crash a few months
after the Peoria show.
The fairgoers were also treated
to horse shows, corn shows,
and many more free attractions.
A three-ring circus thrilled the
crowds and sported a large
entrance banner “Come to the Big
Show.” The show by all accounts
was a huge success for Peoria
and talk began immediately
to enlarge the grandstand and
amphitheater.
But World War I and
prohibition interfered with
plans to improve the Peoria
Stadium complex. The horse
racing circuit shut down in 1932.
The grandstand was torn down
in 1938 and replaced with the
present smaller building, a small
football field, and quarter mile
track.
Recently, the future of Peoria
Stadium has been the talk of the
community. But it will never be
able to equal the grand show of
1914.
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Peoria
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