Peoria, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix, was named after Peoria, Illinois because the two men who founded it in 1890 − Joseph B. Greenhut and Deloss S. Brown − wished to name it after their hometown. Peoria was significant in the world of bicycle racing during the late 19th century. Held at Lake View Park, its U.S. bicycle racing stop hosted such notable names as Marshall "Major" Taylor, who would later become world champion. Taylor described Peoria as the "Mecca" for the sport. For much of the 20th century, a red-light district of brothels and bars known as the Merry-Go-Round was part of Peoria.
Peoria, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix, was named after Peoria, Illinois because the two men who founded it in 1890 − Joseph B. Greenhut and Deloss S. Brown − wished to name it after their hometown Peoria was significant in the world of bicycle racing during the late 19th century. Held at Lake View Park, its U.S bicycle .racing stop hosted such notable names as Marshall "Major" Taylor who would later become world champion. Taylor described Peoria as the "Mecca" for the sport For much of the 20th century, a red-light district of brothels and bars known as .the Merry-Go-Round was part of Peoria.