In 1927 The Pantagraph newspaper in Bloomington held its own holiday affirmation of Santa Claus with dispatches from an intrepid explorer named Danny Dare who traveled to the arctic to prove Santa existed and then wrote to children about his adventures.

In 1927 The Pantagraph newspaper in Bloomington held its own holiday affirmation of Santa Claus with dispatches from an intrepid explorer named Danny Dare who traveled to the arctic to prove Santa existed and then wrote to children about his adventures.

McHistory goes back in time to explore big moments and small stories from McLean County history. McHistory episodes can be heard periodically on WGLT's Sound Ideas. The series is produced in partnership with the McLean County Museum of History.

McHistory

Intrepid Twin City explorer offered 'proof' that Santa exists

During the Great Depression, the federal government tried to stimulate the economy by funding a variety of buildings and programs. Among them was the post office in the Town of Normal put up through the Works Progress Administration [WPA]. Inside that post office is another salute to the community, to human achievement, and to the importance of beauty in public spaces. It's an oil on canvas artwork.

During the Great Depression, the federal government tried to stimulate the economy by funding a variety of buildings and programs. Among them was the post office in the Town of Normal put up through the Works Progress Administration [WPA]. Inside that post office is another salute to the community, to human achievement, and to the importance of beauty in public spaces. It's an oil on canvas artwork.

McHistory: Normal Post Office depression era mural

It has been many decades since Downtown Bloomington was the premier destination for shoppers in the community. There was a time, though, when there were four large department stores downtown. One of them was My Store.

It has been many decades since Downtown Bloomington was the premier destination for shoppers in the community. There was a time, though, when there were four large department stores downtown. One of them was My Store.

'My Store' was a retail jewel in Downtown Bloomington

There's a declaration of emergency over the number of unhoused people in Bloomington right now, and efforts to provide new housing and expanded space in shelters. The issue is not new, though the response today is perhaps more humane than it was in other eras.

There's a declaration of emergency over the number of unhoused people in Bloomington right now, and efforts to provide new housing and expanded space in shelters. The issue is not new, though the response today is perhaps more humane than it was in other eras.

Intrepid Twin City explorer offered 'proof' that Santa exists

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