Tennis Hall of Fame

Since she won her first tennis trophy in 1954, Barbara Bell has gone on to become one of the most successful players in Peoria tennis history.

As a teenager she played in tournaments throughout the midwest and eventually became one of the most dominant players in the prestigious Tri-County tournament.

She won a record 12 first place trophies in the Tri-County in three different singles divisions and finished second four times. She won the women's division title in 1970-71-72, the women's 30-and-over in 1984, and the women's 35-and-over eight times. She also won a doubles title in 1995.

Barbara won many other tournament titles including the Morton Pumpkin Classic seven times, the Pekin Marigold tourney four times and the Greater Peoria YMCA title three times.

She also won 13 first place trophies in Peoria Park District - Journal Star sponsored summer tournaments and was second four times.

She upset the No. 1 woman player in southern Alabama to win the Grand Hotel Invitational in Mobile and twice won singles and doubles crowns in the Illinois-Indiana tourney.

Also, locally she won nine titles in Peoria Tennis Club tournaments, won the Peoria Open twice, won over 20 championships in the Peoria Tennis Association summer tournaments and has won over 40 club championships in both singles and doubles at various racquet clubs.