Julian Crews: Bean Quest: April 2010 Archives

(Havana, IL)   Can't find Cuban food or cafe Cubano here.  But we're headed to Havana, nonetheless. Havana on the Illinois River, southwest of Peoria. 

Holding them in your hand, they may not have the rubbery-texture of a Cuban Monte Cristo "Torpdedo."  But I'm told the cigars rolled in Havana, Illinois were the next-best thing (if you didn't have ready access to quality Cubans).

This cigar label is one of dozens used by local tobacco companies that thrived in Havana. 

According to the Havana Public Library, there were dozens of tobacco and cigar companies based here in the town of Havana.

Exactly who gave the town its name is a mystery.  Local history is that an island in the Illinois river was shaped like the island of Cuba.  

We'll take you down Main Street here in Havana, IL.  Thursday night, on the WGN News at 9PM.  Or watch the stories whenever you want at wgntv.com/cruisin

We're pulling out all the stops for Cruisin' Illinois in 2010.  Later this month, we embark on an exotic adventure to Havana!  Can you believe it?  Haven't worked out the details yet, but we plan to cruise down to the beautiful town of Havana, Illinois the week of April 26th.

O.K.  There may not be palm trees, Cuban food or white-sand beaches where we're going.  But we're told the western Illinois river town has an intoxicating allure.  It sits on the banks of the Illinois River.  Because of it's famous name, Havana becamse a big Cigar factory town.  All of the cigar shops are closed now, but we'll learn more about the history of this place when we visit.   

What's the history behind the name?  Is there any connection to the Carribean nation?  You'll be surprised to hear the connection. 

We hope you'll tune in as we kick off a third season of Cruisin' Illinois every Thursday night on the WGN News at 9 (beginning April 22nd).  If you miss it, don't forget you can always see our Cruisin' Illinois stories on wgntv.com