Picture 7/28: Bears in Decatur

July 28

(picture 210 of 365)

There are many parts and pieces of Decatur's history that I find very special.

One of them is this:

Yup, the mighty "Monsters of the Midway" have their roots right here in central Illinois.

"The organization that eventually became the Chicago Bears, the Decatur Staleys, was originally conceived by the A. E. Staley food starch company of Decatur, Illinois, in 1919 as a company team. This was the typical start for several early professional football franchises. The company hired George Halas and Edward "Dutch" Sternaman in 1920 to run the team, and turned over full control of the team to them in 1921. However, official team and league records cite Halas as the founder as he took over the team in 1920 when it became a charter member of the NFL."

The Chicago Bears sign above proudly stands on the main route into Decatur from the north (Route 51).

It's sporting a fresh paint of coat applied by the group that I'm a part of, Beautiful Decatur Coalition.

Out for now.......

Matt