Results of fighting fire at below zero temperature

Bradley University Bradley University is an independent, privately endowed, coeducational institution located in Peoria, Illinois. It was founded in 1897 as Bradley Polytechnic Institute by Lydia Moss Bradley as a memorial to her children and husband, Tobias. Few people in the history of this country have had as profound an impact on an institution of higher education and on a city as did Mrs. Lydia Moss Bradley at the turn of the century. This extraordinary woman created what is now Bradley University and helped build the city of Peoria. Her life and career provide lasting proof that one person can make a big difference in this world, for her contributions have positively impacted the lives of thousands of people through the generations. Bradley became a four-year college in 1920, and in 1946 became a university and began offering graduate programs. It is fully accredited.  John McCornack received a Masters Degree in Engineering Administration in 1966 from Bradley.

Freezing Icy Snow An astounding place in winter On the series of steps there were Icicles creating a sculpture Like a frozen icy blur It was truly an amazing site For all of us to see Because there was a huge fire In the winter of sixty-three The water froze as it poured On the burning building you see Everyone grabbed what they could For they quickly had to flee What a beautiful structure So sad it was lost to fire For no one wanted to see This wonderful building retire But even though it’s gone There are pictures that will show How it looked like a sculpture In the freezing icy snow! Marilyn Lott © 2006

Peoria Lake - Illinois River

Peoria, Illinois History The city of Peoria is the oldest civilized settlement in the state of Illinois. The City and County take their name from the Peoria Indians, one of the tribes of the Illiniwek Indian nations who inhabited the Illinois River Valley. The name "Peoria" has been translated to mean "Prairie Fire that Wanders About," and it appears that the Peoria Indians did move their settlement about the river valley. French explorers were the first to hear about an area the Indians called "Mississippi," which meant "Great Water." In May of 1673, the French sent and expedition to explore the course of this river. Louis Joliet, a cartographer and merchant who had already discovered Lake Erie, was accompanied by a Jesuit missionary, Pere Jacques Marquette, and five canoe paddlers. The men in this expedition were the first Europeans to see the region where the city of Peoria now stands. In January of 1680, Robert Cavalier, Sieur de la Salle accompanied by Father Louis Hennepin, Henry de Tonti and about thirty other men came down the Illinois River and erected Fort Creve Coeur on the southeast bank of the river just below Peoria Lake. Thus, the french flag was the first to fly over the area, but the fort was abandoned just a few months after it was built. Henry de Tonti established very friendly relations with the Illiniwek Indians. After establishing Fort Saint Louis at Starved Rock, de Tonti was advised by the Indian chiefs to move the fort to the Peoria Lake area in the winter of 1691-92, because of the abundance of game. The Indians called Peoria Lake "Pimiteoui" which means "Fat Lake"; so de Tonti established Fort Pimiteoui on the west side of the Illinois River and this became the first permanent village in what is now the state of Illinois.

Cat plant in a wheat field

Caterpillar The Benjamin Holt Company came to Peoria in 1909, forever changing the character of the city. Holt produced crawler tractors. In 1925, the company bought East Peoria's Colean Steam Tractor Works, then merged with C.L. Best Company to form the Caterpillar Tractor Company. Caterpillar soon became the world's largest maker of earthmoving machines.

Elaine and a Kitty Cat

Strip coal mining at Farmington

The right reason (for politics) is to challenge the status quo, to serve the common good, and to leave this nation better than we found it. ~ Sarah Palin

Steve in Glen Oak Park

Peoria County Horse

The World of Bradley University It was a very cold winter morning when Bradley Hall caught on fire the radio waves were all a buzz with what was happening in our town I was attending Bradley at the time … so I grab my coat and shoes and my camera to watch the magnificent building almost burn down Thanks to my camera and an old box of slides I kept under the bed We can now visualize what Bradley Hall was like in the early day Graduated with my Master Degree in 1966 from Bradley University The rewards out weighed the studying for which I shout Hooray ----- John