Decatur Tribune

ONE-ROOM COUNTRY SCHOOL First Grade Class. This week, in the Decatur Tribune newspaper, Editor Paul Osborne reflects on his experiences as a student in a one-room schoolhouse in Hiawatha, Iowa. Plus, he searches for any trace of the school building and its history — so far without much success. The editor is the bashful one barely seen at left in the back row.

Here another great aerial photo that Steve Huss shared with the Decatur Tribune. It's a beautiful view of Central Park and downtown Decatur.

The new St. Teresa High School football field and track complex will be dedicated on Friday, August 19 at 6:00 p.m. Thanks to Steve Huss for aerial photo shot on Thursday, Aug. 11.

Thanks to Stephen Huss for this aerial photo of the new St. Teresa High School track facility that is under construction in Decatur. The photo was shot July 29, 2022.

ONE OF the most familiar signs in Decatur's history -- Although Elam's on West Eldo is long gone, the sign remains preserved generating tons of memories for those who fondly remember the big root beer stand that competed with the Steak 'n Shakes on North Main and East Eldorado. Actually, for the teenagers of another era in Decatur, they were all winners.

NEVER FORGET WHAT HAPPENED TO AMERICA ON 9/11

I shot this photo of the Transfer House and Central Park one morning last week while on my walk to the post office.
I first noticed the hanging flower baskets and then stopped and absorbed the beauty of what was before me in downtown Decatur. I had to capture the scene on that beautiful summer’s day by shooting the photo and sharing with you.
The fountain (background right), the white clouds on a blue sky, the other flower baskets in the park and the tranquil scene before me were all reminders of the beauty of the park we all know so well.
Sometimes, in the midst of negative news and discouraging events, we forget the beauty that is all around us and it is free for all of us to enjoy.

--From front page of Aug. 26, 2020 print edition of the Decatur Tribune newspaper.

REMEMBER THE WABASH EMPLOYEES HOSPITAL at 360 East Grand Avenue? Thanks to faithful reader Tom Hanks for sending me a copy of this postcard of the hospital from years ago. Believe it or not, it has been almost 50 years (48 to be exact) since the hospital closed its doors forever in 1972. It has been nearly 117 years since the hospital opened its doors for the first time. It was on Oct. 7, 1903, that the hospital officially opened to receive patients. It had 45 beds and three patients. After it closed, It was sold and became the home of the Community Health Improvement Center (CHIC). Today, the building is long gone, replaced by Heritage Grove that was built on the site nearly 20 years ago.

-- From back page of August 19, 2020, print edition of Decatur Tribune newspaper

OLD DECATUR -- This photo was shot in 1896 looking northeast from the old courthouse tower at Wood and Water Streets. Pictured is the intersection at East Wood and Franklin streets. The city has changed a lot in 124 years hasn't it? (By the way, I didn't shoot the photo.)

REMEMBER those days in Decatur before anyone thought about "social distancing" or wearing a mask? This is a Tribune file photo shot by George Strohl of the Show Stage at the 2012 Decatur Celebration. Considering everything happening today with COVID-19, it looks strange to see so many people crowded into one area.

THANKS to Brenda Maddox Easley who sent the above photo with this message: “With all the renewed interest in Drive-In theaters, I thought I would send you this picture of my mom and her friend at the opening of the Drive-In on North Woodford in Decatur in 1947. On the left is Delores Foglia Estell and on the right is Almenda Mueller Largent. My mother, Delores, received the money from the cars and took it to the booth where Almenda worked as cashier.”

--From back page of 7/29/2020 Decatur Tribune print edition.