Editor and publisher of Iliniwek, a newspaper devoted to early Illinois history published 1963-1976. Phillips was a resident of East Peoria, Illinois, and received a B.S. from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1930. Thirty-six thousand (36,000) black and white photographic negatives with corresponding contact sheets documenting unusual and historical rural and town architecture in Illinois and other midwestern sites. Topics include transportation, industry, Clayville, New Salem, French towns in Illinois, and the work of sculptor Lorado Taft. Contact sheets arranged geographically and by topic. A complete set of Iliniwek is included, featuring a controversial series of articles in 1976 regarding the location of Ft. Creve Coeur on Lake Peoria.