PLANNING MEETING FOR THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY MEMORIAL OF THE WRECK OF THE STEAMER COLUMBIA IS HELD AT THE TAZEWELL COUNTY MUSEUM

Members of the 100th Memorial of the Steamer Columbia meet Tuesday afternoon at the Tazewell County Museum. From left to right are Katy Shackelford, Jeff Brooks, Christal Dagit, Sue Beeney, and Gary Gillis

Photo and Story by Ed Emmons (TCM)

Next year will represent the 100th remembrance of the wreck of the Steamship Columbia which hit a stump and sank just off shore near Creve Coeur. The Steamer was carrying over 500 men, women, and children, killing 87. Of those 57 were from Pekin. Next July 5, 2018 will mark the anniversary or remembrance of the tragedy. A group has formed from various business backgrounds to work on a ceremony marking the tragedy near the river front. 

Steamship Columbia after it sank July 5, 1918