ABOUT PEORIA
Peoria is a medium-size city in the middle of Illinois on the west bank of the Illinois River, an important tributary that links Chicago and St. Louis, Missouri. Charles Kuralt of CBS-TV once said Peoria is in the "middle of Illinois which is in the middle of the country which is in the middle of the world...''
Long known as a blue-collar town (World Headquarters of Caterpillar Inc. is located downtown), Peoria has become a majority white-collar city due in a large part to a growing information technology industry. Bradley University is in Peoria, as well as the University of Illinois School of Medicine
In the Tri-County area (Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford Counties) the population is 339,172 (according to the 1990 Census) with 182,827 people in Peoria County alone. The City of Peoria had 113,502 people in 1990.
The city is surrounded by some of the richest farmland on earth. Agribusiness is a major player in the central Illinois economy. The U.S.D.A.'s National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research is located in Peoria.
HISTORY OF PEORIA
Illinois' First European Settlement
Peorians and visitors alike are often surprised to learn that Peoria was the first European settlement in Illinois, and one of the earliest in Middle America. Standing atop Peoria's world-famous Grandview Drive, and looking out into the beautiful river valley, it's easy to see why the Native Americans lived here for more than 12,000 years.
Illinois River Country's origins trace back to France. In 1673, French fur trader Louis Joliet and French missionary Fr. Jacques Marquette canoed into the Peoria river valley and reported to France the riches of its new colonial territory. Later, in 1680, French explorer LaSalle, along with 30 men, built a small fort on the east bluff of the Peoria river valley and christened it Fort Creve Coeur (meaning broken heart). The fort was the very first European building ever constructed in the Midwest.
"Spirit of Peoria"
The "Spirit of Peoria" paddlewheel steamboat transports us back to quieter times. The Illinois River was originally used as a main branch of transportation and travel to and from the Peoria area. Steamboats, such as the Spirit of Peoria, transported people and goods up and down the river to destinations from the Mississippi River and the rest of the continental United States.
As the country moved forward during the railroad boom, so did Peoria, and in November of 1854, the railroad made its way into town. Due to its central location, Peoria was the fourth largest regional hub in the U.S. railway system for many years. During its peak, Peoria served 15 railroads and 70,000 miles of track. In 1891, the Rock Island Depot was built to service this large railroad hub, and it was an integral part of the Peoria railroad until it closed in 1978. Today the depot is a thriving restaurant complex, with exceptional dining, spirits and live music.
World's Most Beautiful Drive
This quote from President Teddy Roosevelt describes his 1910 visit to Grand View Drive in Peoria Heights. The vistas gazed upon by the former President still sit upon bluffs unchanged from when the Indians first settled in the area centuries ago. Drive along the two-and-one-half mile drive to see the expansive panoramic view of Woodford, Tazewell, and Marshall counties, where on a clear day, visitors can see more than thirty miles of the scenic Illinois River valley.
Will it Play in Peoria?
This famous question originated during Peoria's exciting vaudeville days during the 1920s. After a new live act or stage show was produced, it was soon booked into a Peoria theater to test audience reaction to the show. If the show did not receive a strong positive approval, one of two things could happen: the production was rewritten, recast, or otherwise improved, or it was canceled. Because Peoria was viewed as the "typical" American town, if a show could achieve the approval of the Peoria audience, it would be successful anywhere in the country.
The phrase came back into circulation when a Nixon administration political advisor used it while talking about campaigning in the Midwest. Peoria was still seen as a model of the norm in the country, and the President could use the citizens of Peoria to gauge his approval.
In the past 50 years, Peoria has garnered the "All-American City" award three times. As national test marketers have found, Peoria is a microcosm of America itself. To "Play in Peoria" is not only an old term from vaudeville, but a catch phrase used today to measure the thoughts and habits of the typical American.
Information thanks to Peoria.org and Tower Park.