Many folks in Kewanee remember when there was a Christmas tree put up at Tremont and 2nd Street. It was a tradition for many years, though a troubled one as several accidents occurred that eventually led to the discontinuing of the tradition. Dave Clarke has reflected on the downtown Christmas tree before on Kewanee Back When but then a photo posted to Kewanee Nostalgia in 2021, caught Dave’s eye when it popped up again recently. In the background, as the tree is being secured into place, you can see a sign for WKEI. This solved a little mystery as to when this sign, which is now fully refurbished and on display at the Kewanee Historical Society, was actually in use promoting WKEI and placing the location of WKEI’s studios in 1954 at 2nd and Tremont. Dave reflected on this photo and the Kewanee Christmas Tree on the latest edition of Kewanee Back When.
