Mid-Century Decatur

Mid-Century Decatur Celebrating Mid-Century Architecture and Images from Decatur, Illinois, 1949-1969

This mobile Iron Lung exhibit stopped in Decatur on the 300 block of N. Water Street in front of the SS Kresge Store on ...
09/07/2026

This mobile Iron Lung exhibit stopped in Decatur on the 300 block of N. Water Street in front of the SS Kresge Store on September 7, 1946, 80 years ago today. Hundreds of people attended the exhibit.

The technology was used then in cases of asthma, tuberculosis, electric shock, or paralysis to enable breathing.

Photo: H&R

Hecht's 335 N. Water, 1967
09/06/2026

Hecht's 335 N. Water, 1967

Coed football at Millikin, circa 1969.Photo: William A. Shaffer
09/05/2026

Coed football at Millikin, circa 1969.

Photo: William A. Shaffer

The Soy Capital Bank building at 1501 East Eldorado in 1967.
09/04/2026

The Soy Capital Bank building at 1501 East Eldorado in 1967.

Illinois Terminal electric car 104 outside the Decatur shops on East Garfield on September 3, 1952, exactly 74 years ago...
09/03/2026

Illinois Terminal electric car 104 outside the Decatur shops on East Garfield on September 3, 1952, exactly 74 years ago today.

A set of three of these distinctive center-door cars were acquired by Illinois Terminal in 1917. The new cars were lighter and faster than anything they had operated previously. Originally numbered 61-64, they were renumbered in 1931.

An identical car from this set is preserved in operating condition at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union.

Photo: Unknown photographer

St. Teresa's 1963-1964 cheerleading squad is, left to right, front to back, Margaret Crouch, Fran Reeves, Donna Freischl...
09/02/2026

St. Teresa's 1963-1964 cheerleading squad is, left to right, front to back, Margaret Crouch, Fran Reeves, Donna Freischlag, Susan Norton, Carol Alsup, Colleen Unser, Cecilia Brilley, and Kathy Dieckhoff.

Photo: H&R

Timothy Chilton, a Millikin Freshman, arrives on campus in the late summer of 1960, 66 years ago.Photo: Citizens Bank
09/01/2026

Timothy Chilton, a Millikin Freshman, arrives on campus in the late summer of 1960, 66 years ago.

Photo: Citizens Bank

Sister Catherine at St. Teresa High School in 1971.
08/31/2026

Sister Catherine at St. Teresa High School in 1971.

The "Cannon Ball" rolls past Macon Street circa 1968. The consist includes an unusual fast freight shipment between the ...
08/30/2026

The "Cannon Ball" rolls past Macon Street circa 1968. The consist includes an unusual fast freight shipment between the engine and the baggage car.

Photo: William A. Shaffer

Haines & Essick offered complete back to school packages by grade. Every grade was standardized by District 61 for all ...
08/29/2026

Haines & Essick offered complete back to school packages by grade. Every grade was standardized by District 61 for all schools, and you could get the complete package ready to go. First grade would set you back 96 cents. The high school package was $1.90.

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