Mid-Century Decatur

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

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.

A freshman loaded down with books at Stephen Decatur High School downtown in August 1963, sixty-three years ago. The im...
08/28/2026

A freshman loaded down with books at Stephen Decatur High School downtown in August 1963, sixty-three years ago. The image is of the third floor of the massive building.

The Pennsylvania Railroad ran a daily freight to Decatur on the decrepit former Vandalia Line from Peoria. Here the tra...
08/27/2026

The Pennsylvania Railroad ran a daily freight to Decatur on the decrepit former Vandalia Line from Peoria. Here the train, led by a pair of F-7 units, has stopped at Minier to open the gate at the perpendicular GM&O line to Jacksonville in 1967.

At Maroa the train would merge onto the Illinois Central tracks through Decatur. At Hervey City the train would switch back onto PRR rails. There it would head east through tiny Prairie Hall and Lake City, and then head southeast toward Terre Haute.

Photo: Edward Wayne Bridges

Students squeeze under an umbrella during a late summer rain in downtown Decatur in 1969.Photo: Doug Gaumon, H&R
08/26/2026

Students squeeze under an umbrella during a late summer rain in downtown Decatur in 1969.

Photo: Doug Gaumon, H&R

Harriet Kirby, right, receives the Decatur Women's Golf Championship Trophy at Scovill in 1962. On the left is Mrs. Maur...
08/25/2026

Harriet Kirby, right, receives the Decatur Women's Golf Championship Trophy at Scovill in 1962. On the left is Mrs. Maurice Doan, the previous winner.

Photo: Charles S. Boyer, H&R

South Park Street is jammed with cars in late August of 1953, 73 years ago.Photo: H&R
08/24/2026

South Park Street is jammed with cars in late August of 1953, 73 years ago.

Photo: H&R

The northbound "Banner Blue" approaches Decatur from the west in 1966. The consist includes a hodge-podge of colors and...
08/23/2026

The northbound "Banner Blue" approaches Decatur from the west in 1966. The consist includes a hodge-podge of colors and cars of different origins that have been consolidated under the Norfolk & Western. The maroon heavyweight baggage car is a legacy Norfolk & Western car from the east coast. The yellow car is a former Wabash car that ran to the west coast with the Union Pacific. Former Nickel Plate Road cars have been relettered to Norfolk & Western.

Photo: Roger P**a

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