May 14, 1976 - Club Peorian Opens

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May 14, 1976 marked the beginning of a new era in Peoria's LGBTQ+ nightlife - the grand opening of the Club Peorian! Originally called the Club Peorian Disco by Roger Heim and the other new owners of the Peoria institution, this became the place to go to dance the night away. Not only that, but the club also hosted events to raise money for various causes such as muscular dystrophy. They even crowned local royalty with an annual Emperor and Empress drag pageant.

Like many gay bars at the time, this was more than just a place to get down and have a drink. For many, the other patrons there were family and the Club Peorian was home. Even today, if you talk to anyone that spent any time there, you can still the spark in their eyes as they recall all the memories had there.

The Club Peorian would remain the best-known gay bar in Peoria until it was tragically burned down in the early morning hours of December 13, 1994. Eli White was tried and convicted of the arson the next year. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

As you can see from this ad placed in the Journal Star in 1976, there was no denying you were in for a fabulous night! 

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