One thing I learned about Peoria growing up is that we care very little for our own history, other than looking at pictures of it. Once something is thirty, forty, or (God forbid) fifty years old, it’s time to knock it down and build something new. Newer is always, always, always better. Anyone in favor of preservation is seen as hopelessly sentimental, impractical, and an opponent of “progress.” And if there’s one thing we want to be in Peoria, it’s to be perceived as progressive.

So you can imagine what it must have been like to be Les Kenyon, an architect who had a vision and a passion for preserving Peoria’s historically-significant landmarks. Kenyon died Friday morning, just a couple months after pleading with the City Council not to delist the Roanoke Apartments on Hamilton Blvd. (They delisted it anyway.)

My condolences to Mr. Kenyon’s family, friends, and colleagues. It’s up to others now to pick up his torch. May his example live on, teaching more Peorians to appreciate, cherish, and preserve our history.