"Peoria - A Town of Firsts for me" Top 5 Page for this destination Peoria by riorich55

Peoria Travel Guide: 99 reviews and 192 photos

Looking at Peoria from across the Illinois River - Peoria
Looking at Peoria from across the Illinois River
A Diamond in the Sky

A unique description I heard about Peoria last week at a funeral for one of my wife's uncles. After WW II "Uncle Ralph" was returning home to Peoria after 4 long years away from home fighting for George Patton. As he was rounding the bend on the bluff road leading into town and caught a glimpse of his hometown these were his first thoughts about Peoria. Almost 25 years later as I was coming to visit the college campus that was to be my home for the next 4 years there in the valley across the Illinois River was my first glimpse of Peoria. I was sold on the city at first glance.

My First Apartment
My First Apartment on Moss - Peoria

My First Apartment on Moss

After 4 years of living on campus as a Resident Advisor at Bradley University, I took my first job in Peoria selling computers and moved into my first apartment which was on the 2nd floor of this architectural gem on Moss Avenue only a few blocks from campus. It even came with a working fireplace.

My First Home
My First Home on Hamilton - Peoria

My First Home on Hamilton

My wife, who graduated from Bradley a year after I did, and I bought our first home a year after we got married in the north edge of town near Expo Gardens. The house came with a pool and a built in bar in the den. Wow!!

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Met my wife at Bradley University, State Basketball Tournament
  • Cons:Too Many Check to Cash Stores
  • In a nutshell:A Lot of Memories
  • Last visit to Peoria: Mar 2011
  • Intro Updated Mar 27, 2011
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Reviews (12)

The Old Madison Movie Theatre - Peoria First Date with Future Wife Memories Favorites (1)

As I've already mentioned in a couple of pages about Peoria I spent some very formative years here going to college,... more travel advice

Exterior of Hotel - Peoria A Peoria Landmark Hotels (3)

This Peoria landmark hotel has been around since 1927. Although it shows some of its age it still is the place to stay... more travel advice

Front Entrance to Avanti's on Main - Peoria A Local Favorite Restaurants (4)

I first discovered Avanti's as a Freshman at Bradley University back in 1970. It was very convenient to campus (about... more travel advice

Outside Front Entrance - Peoria A Place to Stretch Out Hotels (3)

Stayed here in March, 2009 for a weekend with one of my sons attending the IHSA state basketball tournament. We had a... more travel advice

Comments (6)

  • Reply
    Faiza-Ifrah's Profile Photo
    Jul 18, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    feels great visiting another member from Illinois, where i lived in the 80s. nice tips on your college days :-) i liked them all.

  • Reply
    Maryimelda's Profile Photo
    Mar 29, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    You romantic old thing, Rich!!!!! Great stuff. Bet you didn't think back then on your first date that you would one day hang your feet over a balcony in Lauterbrunnen with her! Kate

  • Reply
    BruceDunning's Profile Photo
    Oct 6, 2010 at 2:28 PM

    It has been a long time since I visited here. The restaurants sound interesting. Good presentation

  • Reply
    jumpingnorman's Profile Photo
    Mar 29, 2009 at 7:07 AM

    I think I want to eat at Jimbo Jumbo! Hehehe...I had my first VT Meet last night also in Peoria -- but here in Arizona! We had fun, Norman :) === also, they probably got that gargoyle from Notre Dame! lol

  • Reply
    mikelisaanna's Profile Photo
    Oct 20, 2008 at 10:12 PM

    Glad to see smaller cities in the Midwest getting some coverage on VT! Welcome aboard.

  • Reply
    BillNJ's Profile Photo
    Mar 23, 2008 at 8:59 AM

    Hi Rich, Nice page on Peoria. Was there one day in 1991 -- and strolled part of the Bradley campus. Seems like a nice town. Best regards from New Jersey, Bill

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