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 CityLink's Historic Peoria
Trolley by deecat
River City Tour (Formerly Grand View Drive Tour) takes people down Grand View Drive with elegant homes that look out over the Illinois River. Visitors learn about the rich Peoria history, its ethnic culture, & it's historic architecture, The trolley goes through the Averyville area to downtown Peoria and Southtown to Moss Avenue to High Street back downtown to Glen Oak Avenue and back to Peoria Heights.. Every Thursday & Saturday at 10:30 a.m., leaving from Harp & Thistle in Peoria Heights
All American City (from naughty to nice) celebrates the fact that Peoria has been honored 3 times with the prestigious "All American City" award. The tour traces these triumphs through time from the 1920's to the present. It includes the city's gangster era and Peoria's most notorious crime scene (The Bernie Shelton Murder). Downtown's old and new as well as developing business districts are toured.
Fridays at 10:30 a.m., leaving from Peoria Riverfront Visitors' Center
Old Peoria & the Judge starts at the Visitors' Center and goes to the earliest sections of downtown and on to Peoria's northside. The ride ends with guided tour of the elegant 1837 Flannagan House Museum situated on a high bluff overlooking the Illinois River Valley.
Leaves from Riverfront Visitors' Centery.
Friday at 2:00 p.m. (July & August Only) Leave a Comment Theme: OtherPhone: (309)688-5668
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 Spirit of Peoria at Riverfront
Park by deecat
If you want to take an unusual adventure, try the Spirit of Peoria cruise. Spirit of Peoria is the name of a replica of a turn-of-the century sternwheeler that offers cruises along the beautiful Illinois River.
These cruises depart from The Landing at the foot of Main Street on the waterfront.
They do Narrated sightseeing Cruises,
Themed Dinner Cruises, Holiday Show Cruises, Private Charters, & Overnight Cruises.
The sightseeing cruises are 90-minutes in length. Some of the most popular cruises are the Starved Rock State Park Cruise with an overnight stay or the Peoria to Pere Marquette State Park Cruise with a two-night stay.
You can go to their website for more information.
Open all year, you can even make up the cruise that you wish to take! Leave a Comment
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 I-74 Murray Baker Bridge by deecat
Murray Morrison Baker, a businessman who sold farm machinery in Peoria, convinced Holt Manufacturing Company to open plant in the city. Later, Holt merged with C.L. Best...to become Caterpillar Tractor Company, the rest is history! Baker also established the Baker-Hubble Dairy (Prairie Farms), and he owned the first car dealership in the city When he retired, Baker became a philanthropist. He once said, "I made my money in Peoria, and I want Peoria to benefit." I sure like his style.
Peoria did not forget Murray Baker's generosity. They name the I-74 bridge that spans the Illinois River after him. Baker died at age 92 in 1964, but he live to see this landmark bridge that connects Peoria and East Peoria become his namesake...I'm glad. Leave a Comment Theme: Other
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 Peoria Visitors Center at the
Riverfront by deecat
In the beginning, this building stood only 50 feet from the river so that boats could carry goods to the back of the grocery store; then they were taken to the front of the store for the customers. But, by the turn of the century, the Eckwood Park landfill project made access by boat impossible!
Once the city decided to revitalize the riverfront area, they wanted to use this historic building in some way. Fortunately, the Peoria Historical Society as well as the Central Illinois Landmarks Foundation joined forces to restore the building about 1997.
Today, when you go to Peoria, you will see this former grocery, former press building being used as an information center at the foot of Main Street...what a nice location for welcoming visitors to the Peoria Riverfront. I certainly enjoyed visiting it and gained much information I otherwise would not have discovered on my own. Leave a Comment Address: 110 N.E. Water Street, Peoria, IL 61602Phone: (309)672-2860 or (866)896-6853Directions: Foot of Main Street
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 Riverfront Promenade and Old
Chicago Restaurant by deecat
Peoria has revitalized itself within recent years, & one of its biggest revitalization projects had to do with the "rebirth" of its riverfront. This rebirth binds its past & its future. The city roots are in river commerce & industry; thus, it was only natural that if they wanted to forge into the future, they needed to revitalize their past. They raised millions of dollars to bring this concept into reality. Today, because of the rebuilding efforts, more than one million visitors come to the riverfront each year.
Outstanding public facilities have been constructed that include the Gateway Building for meetings & receptions; a public marina for the promotion of the river; performance stages & spaces to promote entertainment; fountains, pavilions, & scenic walkways to create beauty for & to give comfort to the public.
Today, visitors are able to take in an art gallery, eat in unique restaurants, take a carriage ride, ride on an old-fashioned paddlewheel boat, & shop in exciting boutiques.
Oh, yes, & on Saturday mornings, the Peoria RiverFront Market is open with its Illinois-grown produce & products; with its local artisans & musicians.
At the Visitors' Center, I was told that there is a Fine Art Fair, a Rib Fest Cook-off, a Labor Day festival, Oktoberfest, & a spectacular Fourth of July Riverfront Sky Concert with a fabulous fireworks' display.
Also, in June the riverfront is home to the Steamboat Festival & the Classic Sports Festival.
Along the riverfront, I saw several restaurants such as Roxy's, Hooters, Joe's Crab Shack, & Old Chicago Restaurant,
I only wish that I had 1st visited Peoria in the summer when all this "activity" happens. The day I visited, it was barren because of the cold, cold weather. But, I was able to visualize in my "mind's eye" what it would be on a warm, sunny summer day/night.
The photo shows the deserted Riverfront promenade & The Old Chicago Restaurant. Leave a Comment Directions: End of Main Street and both right and left along the river.
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 Lydia Moss Bradley Statue
at Bradley University by deecat
Bradley University was founded in Peoria in 1897 by Lydia Moss Bradley in memory of her children and husband, Tobias. The Bradley family had gained a fortune through successful dealings in railroads, a flour mill, a distillery, a sawmill, real estate, and the Peoria Pottery Company. After Tobias Bradley died, his wife Lydia continued successfully with the business dealings. She was a philanthropist and did such good deeds as donating 130 acres of land for the Peoria Park District.
Mrs. Bradley decided to found a school where young people could "learn how to do practical things to prepare them for living in the modern world." She purchased a controlling interest in Parsons Horological School in LaPorte, Indiana (the first school for watchmakers in America), and she moved it to Peoria.
She then chartered Bradley Polytechnic Institute and provided seventeen and a half acres of land, $170,000 for buildings and equipment and $30,000 a year for operating expenses!
The school started with 14 faculty & 150 students. Originally organized as a four-year academy (similar to high school) and a 2-year college, there were 400 students.
Mrs. Bradley then transferred to the school the rest of her estate, including nearly 1,000 different pieces of property! The profits from the property was to finance the school.
Mrs. Lydia Bradley Moss died in 1908
Bradley continued to grow and develop; its facilities were in demand during World War I to train automobile and tractor mechanics.
By the 1920s, Bradley dropped the "academy" and became a four-year college program.
After World War II, a Graduate School was established, and the name became Bradley University.
So, without the generous philanthropic donations of Lydia Bradley Moss, there would be no Bradley University Leave a Comment Address: 1501 Bradley Avenue, Peoria, IL 61625Phone: (309)676-7611
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 Soldiers' and Sailors'
Civil War Memorial by deecat
It was erected by the Ladies' Memorial Day Association through contributions and donations from the city, the citizens, and even the area school children who donated their pennies!.. Dedicated on October 6, 1899, even President McKinley and members of his cabinet attended the ceremony!
The memorial was created by Fritz Triebel, a local artist , who named it "The Defense of the Flag". The bronze sculptures were cast in Italy and weigh in at 70,000 pounds. The granite at the base of the memorial was shipped from Deere Island, Maine. However, the ship with the granite on it sank so new stone had to be sent.
With a closer look, I could see that the side nearest to Main Street is of a beautiful woman dressed in draped robe writing something like, " We write on the page what they fought on the battlefield...". On the right and left sides are broze sculptures of young men in battle raising the flag, some of them severly wounded. On the top of the tall column is a globe with an eagle perched on it.
A copper box was supposedly placed beneath the memorial's base with a list of schoolchildren in Peoria County and a list of Civil War soldiers, both living and dead.
Also, a tin box was placed inside the globe on which the eagle(called "Old Abe") is perched.
There was a book published in Peoria in 1906 called "Love's Labor" that tells the entire story and history of this monument. I plan to try to find a copy.
There are stone benches surrounding the memorial that are nice for sitting and admiring this most powerful tribute to the Civil War soldiers and sailors. Leave a Comment Directions: Main Street going toward the riverfront in Peoria
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 Giant Bur Oak in Peoria by deecat
In the mid 1600's, the French explorers toured this region inhabited by Peoria Native Americans, & the 1750's early surveys by European settlers include a reference to this particular tree.
In the 1850's, Dr. & Mrs. E.H. Bradley acquire the land upon which the tree now stands; 1930's, the Bradley family purchases adjoining backlot, has large house razed to allow tree's roots to grow unhampered. Much later (1960's), The Park District purchases the site to save the oak tree.
1971: site is illuminated, & 3 years later, Giant Oak Park becomes the name of the tree site.
1976: the tree is designated a "Bicentennial Tree" by the International Society of Arboriculture & National Arborist Association because the tree was living during the American Revolutionary Period. During the years of 1976-1977, Frank Hanbury, Jr collects 200 acorns from the tree & plants them in 4 western states.
By 1991, The Giant Oak Tree is designated Peoria's "Tricentennial Tree", & the beginning of a seed propagation project by Illinois Department of Conservation & Peoria Urban Forestry Board begins.
1992-1993 sees the Peoria City Beautiful, City of Peoria, & the Peoria Park District, through deed of land transfer, secure the eastward expansion of the tree's root system.
From 1994 until today (2005), Peoria Park District owns & maintains the Giant Oak Park.
Where did I receive this history about the tree?
I discovered it on a brass plackart within the enclosed portion of the park. The tree has been protected by a black wrought-iron fence so it is not vandalized or damaged in any way.
Dimensions of the Giant Oak:: (1994)
50 feet high
110-foot spread
54.5 inch trunk diameter
The Brass Commemoration ends with these stirring words: "To the brave old oak tree, Cheers!" Leave a Comment Directions: High Street in Giant Oak Park
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 Peoria City Hall by deecat
It's a massive stone structure in the Flemish Renaissance style, and the stone is a lovely shade of red.
When it was erected in 1899, it sat on the corner of Madison and Fulton Streets, but as Peoria's layout changed over the years, Madison Street no longer crosses Fulton!
Instead, today City Hall resides next to the modern Civic Center where Madison meets Fulton. The contrast between the old and new is glorious.
This building was designed by Reeves and Ballie, costing $271,000 to construct. It was in 1978 that this stylish building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Interestingly, City Hall still has the Victorian Ball tower from the original structure, and in the lobby, the marble statue, "Love Knows No Caste" still stands to greet visitors. Guess what? The same local artists who created the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial on Main Street sulpted this marble statue. (Fritz Triebel)
Over 100 years later, City Hall is still within the same walls, and through careful restoration, it has managed to retain most of its original appearance. That is ever so refreshing! Leave a Comment Address: 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, Illinois
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 Lincoln Statue in Front
of Peoria Court House by deecat
Two days was not enough time to completely explore historic Peoria. While there, and with the help of the Historical Society and the Visitors' Center, I know that I need to see:
Lakeview Museum of Arts & Sciences, 1125 W. Lake Drive, (309)687-7000
A comprehensive museum with the world's largest model of the solar system; a showcase for more than 15,000 items in art & science. It also features an Illinois folk art gallery, a planetarium, and the hands-on children's discovery center.
The African American Museum Hall of Fame, 309 DuSable Street, (309)673-2206.
It's located in a 19th Century warehouse and offers 2 exhibition galleries. 20 in-house working artist are here & workshops & classes are offered to art center visitors.
St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 103 South Sheridan Rd., is a registered historical landmark (1852) because of its historic architecture & art. Recently restored, its 3000-pipe organ is a "must see".
Glen Oak Zoo, 2218 North Prospect Rd., (309)686-3365. Open year round, this 1930's zoo covers 7 acres and is home to over 150 animals from around the world, several which are endangered. It offers hands-on programs, shows, and conservation-based presentations.
The Illinois Historical Water Museum, 123 West Washington, (309)671-3701. On the banks of the Illinois River, this historically preserved building was a pumping station built in 1890 (listed on National Register of Historic Places) that is now a museum that displays photos & historical equipment once used to purify & treat drinking water.
These are only a few of what's left for me to explore. Leave a Comment
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