Historic Hoopeston, Illinois

Hoopeston, Illinois has a very colorful past which includes being home to several POW Camps for German soldiers during WWII. During their confinement in Hoopeston, one small group of prisoners escaped trying to get to South America but were captured nearby just a few days later. This video also reveals stories about how the town became the Sweet Corn Capital; the massive Hoopeston Canning Company which later became part of Stokley-Van Camp, how the term “Corn Jerkers” came about and how a queen was robbed of her crown.

GPS Location: 40°28’06.8″N 87°39’54.3″W

Video Release Date: March 25, 2023