Junction City has long been one of Peoria’s most beloved and unique shopping and dining destinations.

It started out in 1956 as Vonachen’s Junction which was a railroad-themed restaurant complete with real train cars to sit in. That’s gone now, but the trains are stationed out at Wheels O’ Time Museum and you can see them if you scroll all the way down this post!

The shopping center was born in 1958 and I worked at one of the original stores, The Drug Store all through high school, from 1973 to 1976.

Below are some photos and memorabilia I found of Junction City online.

Below that are links to MBIP blog posts from Junction City I’ve done in the last ten years.

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JUNCTION CITY - VONACHENS JUNCTION

Here’s the original building that housed the front section of Vonachens Junction.

Here’s two shots of the inside of the train car restaurants.

I remember as a kid, it was always a treat to eat at Vonachens Junction!

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JUNCTION CITY - THE MATCHBOOK

Check out the matchbook I found online!

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JUNCTION CITY - THE DRUG STORE

The Drug Store was one of the original stores when they built the Junction City shopping center in 1958.

Here’s some shots of the inside of the store, the pharmacy area and the soda fountain and candy displays.

I worked here for three years when I was in high school from 1973 to 1976. You can read about that and about Mr. Mac, the owner by clicking here.

I was thrilled to find these photos of the menu from the Drug Store’s Soda Fountain online!

This is a vintage Drug Store coffee cup given to me by Ilene Casebeer.

Ilene and I worked together at The Drug Store when we both were in high school and she sent me this gift as a remembrance of our time there together.

Thanks, Ilene!

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