This is the second in a series of travel stories featuring local cities located within a short driving distance from Lincoln.

Exploring Peoria
part II

[JULY 8, 2000]  Part II of Exploring Peoria, highlighted features in the downtown area of Peoria, but there’s an entire city to explore away from downtown and the riverfront. So if you’re in the mood to get in touch with nature, the Wildlife Prairie Park does the trick.

This unique 2,000-acre zoological park is home to wolves, bison, waterfowl, black bear, elk, cougar, otter and many other native animals. The Pioneer Farmstead recreates a slice of life in the early 1800’s, with farm animals, a one-room school house and log cabin. You can explore the nature of Illinois aboard a train and even spend the night in a variety of accommodations, including a cabin, cottage or one of the renovated red cabooses on the property. The park is a not-for-profit living heritage experience that gives guests a recreational education in animal and plant life in a national setting. And this isn’t a petting zoo atmosphere -- people have been known to run to their cars rather quickly when dusk falls and the sounds of wildlife start closing in.

 

 

     Another good stop for a family outing is the Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences, at 1125 W. Lake, an experience that is not only educational, but fun for all ages. Special astronomy effects and interactive laser disc technology at the Lakeview Planetarium offer insight in the secrets of the universe.

     To reach a full appreciation of just how scenic the city is, a drive along Grandview Drive is a must. Other sections of Peoria that offer a glimpse in to the city’s rich past include the gracious Pettengill-Morron House, at 1212 W. Moss Ave., built in 1868, a 12-room mansion owned by the Peoria Historical Society; the High Street-Moss Avenue Historic District, lined with stately, restored colorful Victorian homes and century-old trees; and the Roanoke-Randolph Street Historic District and Glen Oak Avenue areas that evoke an era Peoria still struggles to preserve.

History

    Just as the riverfront is once again bustling with activity and shows sign of progress, it seems it has come full circle. It was the river that helped draw Native Americans to settle in Peoria more than 12,000 years ago and call it Pimiteoui, meaning “land of great abundance” or “fat lake.”

     In 1673 French fur trader Louis Jolliet and French missionary Jacque Marquette canoed into the Peoria river valley and discovered the rich land. They were followed by other French explorers who established forts and trading posts farther down the Illinois River.

 

 

Gradually, American settlers began farming here in 1819 and experienced a great economic and population boom. Early industries prospered, including meatpacking, casting foundries, pottery makers, wholesale, warehousing, distilleries and farm machinery factories. Peoria’s fresh clear water, abundance of corn and ease of transportation made it the Whiskey Capital of the World by 1900.

 

 

 

Dining

    Of course, with all the sightseeing and activity, you will need to eat. Top on my personal list of recommendations is the 2601 Oyster Bar, which is actually located across the river in East Peoria, adjacent to Jonah’s Seafood House. Not only is the food good, but in warm weather, when you are sitting out on the deck eating a half dozen on half shells, watching sailboats skim the water, you can easily forget you are in Illinois. Maybe that’s what I like so much about it.

    But even during cooler weather months, eating inside the building is also a delightful experience, due to the dark exposed beamed ceilings, brick walls and other raw materials, most salvaged from area buildings important to the area’s history. Live music on selected evenings just adds to the mood. There are several selections of fresh shucked oysters on the menu and they’re all good, but if slimy seafood served on a cracker isn’t high on your list, you can also get the oysters broiled, fried, baked or in a stew. And if oysters aren’t on your list of food groups in any way, shape or form, there are many other mouth-watering choices of sandwiches, salads, soups and seafood dishes to make up for it.

 

 

     If you’re in the mood for a cozy Italian dinner, Paparazzi is the place to go. Located at 4315 Voss St., in Peoria Heights, it’s not the kind of place a tourist would stumble upon during a trip to town --which makes it even more appealing. This petite eatery is usually packed with local loyalists who faithfully come back for the veal dishes  “world famous garlic bread” and good old-fashioned pasta and sauce. This smoke-free restaurant recommends reservations on weekends. It’s worth the effort.  

 

 

    Another local favorite is the Hofbrau Restaurant, at 2210 N.E. Jefferson St.  This is the place to go for authentic German beef and pork dishes, wild game dishes and an abundance choice of beer. This cozy hangout is favored by local residents from all walks of life, including politicians, police officers and newspaper employees.  

   

[Penny Zimmerman –Wills]

 

 


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Exploring Peoria
Lincoln's neighbor to the north

[JULY 5, 2000]  Many may be surprised to learn that Peoria – Lincoln's neighbor to the north – also has a very important tie to Abraham Lincoln: It was in Peoria that he launched his political career with his first denouncement of slavery.

Peoria facts:

*Founded in 1819

*City population: 113,700

*Abraham Lincoln launched his political career in Peoria with his first denouncement of slavery

*The first European settlement in Illinois *Name derived from Native American word Pimiteoui (Pee-Mee-Twee), meaning "land of great abundance" or "fat lake"

*Located along the Illinois River, 167 miles from Chicago and 173 miles from St. Louis, Mo. A 40-minute drive from Lincoln.

Just a short drive north of Lincoln, Peoria is a city with a lot more to offer than just being home to the world-famous Caterpillar, Inc. Although it is the world headquarters of the company, which is a noteworthy claim to fame, it also has a revitalized riverfront bustling with art galleries, antique shops, restaurants and business development; has been named All American City three times; is home to the nation’s 10th oldest symphony; has its own ballet and civic opera companies, the world’s largest solar system model, a wildlife park, a minor league baseball team, hockey team and some of the most breathtaking views around. And last but not least, one of the best oyster bars outside of New Orleans.

 

Revitalized riverfront

    After traveling over one of the bridges as you enter the city, you’ll first see the riverfront, which has been revitalized in recent years with new restaurants, businesses and a Visitor’s Center. It is also the site of outdoor summer concerts, art fairs, festivals, professional boat races and other seasonal activities that have breathed new life into this area.

One of your first stops should be the Riverfront Visitor’s Center, housed in the historic Powell Press Building. The narrow, pre-Civil War structure was tastefully revived and recently moved to the riverfront area. There are several parks and plazas situated along this area, including Festival Park and the Military Services Memorial Plaza, so that visitors can stop and enjoy the view. You can also stroll through the Sculpture Walk, which changes each year when various artists provide original sculptures, strategically placed for visual enjoyment along the walkway. Located at the landing are the center stage for outdoor concerts, Gateway Building, Leonard B. Marshall Jr. Memorial Plaza and interactive fountain, public marina and the Spirit of Peoria, a replica of a paddle-wheel boat. 

The Spirit, referred to as "a floating wedding cake," is actually composed of fiberglass and wood and steered by the captain with a seven-foot maple wheel located in the pilot house. Many of the boat’s decorative fixtures, including the captain's bell and a brass tube that serves as a telegraph from the pilot house to the captain's quarters, were purchased at auctions from much older steamboats. Sightseeing cruises are scheduled on Wednesdays and Sundays, in addition to a moonlight cruise on Friday evenings.

Cruise director Brian "Fox" Ellis is the resident storyteller for the Spirit. Through interviews with descendants of pioneers and by studying wildlife, geology and aquatics of the Illinois Waterway, Fox has become a master of the history of the Illinois River Valley and relishes his role as a performer and educator. Farther east on Water Street, along the riverfront toward the Robert Michael Bridge, are an eclectic cluster of businesses, dinner theaters, gift shops, restaurants and art galleries – many located in renovated warehouses.

 

(To top of second column)

A fixture on the riverfront for many years, the River Station is one of the city’s most famous restaurants. Located in the historic Rock Island Depot, at 212 Water St., it is not only a great place to dine on beef and seafood but can also claim the best dining room views in town because of its proximity to the water – which has also been a hardship more than once over the years during river flood stages. Even if you’re not in the mood for a meal, it’s worth stopping by just to gawk at the magnificent 35-foot ceilings, stained glass windows and 15-foot-high mahogany bar. 

A popular new place to eat is the Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe, located at 305 SW Water St. Just the look of the place is a breath of fresh air –with its whitewashed brick walls, old black-and-white photographs of someone’s relatives, black-painted wooden chairs and Formica tables, painted concrete floor, corrugated steel bar and chandelier made from a shiny red ball (salvaged from a gas station) with glass spikes that light up. This place serves up equal amount of personality and food. 

It’s a great place to recharge with a cup of java and homemade dessert during a break from browsing at the Illinois Antique Center next door. Actually, just an encounter with the young, energetic staff is almost enough to achieve that goal – even without caffeine. Menu items include portabella pizzetta, grilled roasted potato salad and Jamaican jerk chicken. Safe bets are any of the homemade daily specials, featuring quiches, soups and gourmet meatloaf. Once the kitchen closes for the day, the other part of the restaurant’s moniker kicks in, with live music served up on weekend nights.

An easy way to while away part of an afternoon is a visit to the two floors of the Illinois Antique Center, also on Water Street. More than 200 dealers offer everything from furniture and fireplace mantels to toys and jewelry. One local customer makes a trip to the center every day to investigate the newly arrived merchandise. There are several antique malls and shops in the area, but if you only have time for one, this is the best and most conveniently located.

A few blocks away, the Apollo Fine Arts and Entertainment Center, a historic theater with much of its former splendor restored, now offers live concerts and theatrical productions, classic films and "Discover Peoria," a multimedia presentation featuring over 600 images of Peoria's history, culture, and attractions.

The packed parking lot tells the story at the Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino, located across the river in East Peoria. The art-deco style cruise ship offers your typical variety of casino gambling, and the complex includes a hotel and restaurants.

Another spot of interest is the Hotel Père Marquette, named in honor of an early French explorer, Father Jacques Marquette, who traveled the Illinois River in 1673 and landed in the area that is now Peoria. The hotel celebrates that event with its name and an 8- by18-foot mural in its lobby. A sculpted likeness of Marquette also appears above the Main Street entrance. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the hotel is located at 501 Main Street.

 

 

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]

 

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