PEORIA MAGAZINE January 2023

H O M E T O W N ALL ABOARD FOR GALESBURG History, tourism and industry keep this resilient city moving forward

BY SCOTT FISHEL PHOTOS BY RON JOHNSON

G alesburg is a railroad town. Evidence of the city’s proud rai lroading her itage is everywhere. School sports teams have names like the Silver Streaks and Zephyrs, the children’s museum is The Discover Depot, and local businesses such as The Iron Spike, Sidetrax Bar and Grill and Lieber’s Boxcar Express evoke the glory days of steel rails and steam engines. It’s true that the only steam engine left in town is a stationary, albeit impressive, museum piece at the Galesburg Railroad Museum. And yet every June for 44 years, Galesburg Railroad Days has attracted thou sands to celebrate and remember the past.

director of the Galesburg Tourism and Visitors Bureau, about the city’s rich past. “It’s part of our history and we need to remember it.” A MIX OF TOURISM AND INDUSTRY The more recent history of the local economy was dominated by manufacturers such as Maytag, which cranked out thousands of appliances for decades before its decline and closing shortly after the turn of this century. The loss of more than 3,000 jobs was a major, but not fatal, blow. Newcomb said the city and sur rounding Knox County now take in more than $83 million annually from

The massive railyard on the south west side of town is the city’s largest employer. Even Lake Storey, the city’s recreational gem on the north side of town, was originally constructed to supply water for thirsty steam engines. “We need tomake sure that doesn’t go away,” said Randy Newcomb, executive

50 JANUARY 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE