page_title: History of Peoria, Illinois
section_title: 20th century
hierarchical_section_title: History of Peoria, Illinois / 20th century
caption_attribution_description: English: From the University of Maryland Digital Collections website: "The waterfront in Peoria, Illinois with factories and ships visible in the distance. Postmark: January 1909."
context_page_description: The history of Peoria, Illinois, began when lands that eventually would become Peoria were first settled in 1680, when French explorers René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, and Henri de Tonti constructed Fort Crevecoeur. This fort later burned to the ground, and in 1813 Fort Clark was built. When the County of Peoria was organized in 1825, Fort Clark was officially named Peoria.
context_section_description: On May 1, 1973, three armed gunmen held a classroom of fifth-grade students hostage at St. Cecilia Catholic grade school. One hostage was John Ardis, younger brother of Mayor Jim Ardis. The stand-off lasted 90 minutes with only one casualty: one of the gunmen.
caption: Waterfront in Peoria, Illinois, c.1909
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