Local blogger PeoriaIllinoisan has started a new series of posts he’s calling “Peoria Then & Now.”
Using old photographs and postcards, I will attempt to recreate the shot using as close to the same angle as possible to show how much things have change, and sometimes maybe even stayed the same.
It’s both interesting and disheartening to see a lot of these transformations. You’ll see plenty of public gathering places in the older pictures — retail stores, cafeterias, movie theaters, etc. The newer pictures show vacant buildings, private offices, assorted blank facades with greenery, and lots of parking lots/decks. Downtown has functionally turned into a suburban office park, for the most part.
The stark contrast between what Peoria was and what it has become, as so vividly portrayed by PeoriaIllinoisan, should spur us to question whether these changes were good or bad, inevitable or preventable, reversible or permanent.
Click here for the first Then & Now entry.
when we drive around town we like to play the game “Guess What Used to Be Where That Walgreens Is Now.” Depressing.
It is interesting looking at the before and after shots – and in all but one or two I’ll agree that the before looks better than the after. That said, I think it is important to remember it didn’t go from before to after overnight. There wasn’t bustling business that someone just decided to demolish for a parking deck and office space. There was bustling business – then there was business- then there was nothing – then someone thought there should be office space a parking deck. That someone was right by the way – office space and a parking deck is better than a decaying building.
People just don’t realize the impact their decisions make – the decision to shop at the store that is in a generic building yet has easier parking has consequences. Maybe these photos will highlight what was downtown – and can be inspiration for what could be. Warehouse revitalization anyone?
I applaud efforts to try to undo the damage that has already been done, but Samer is right–I watched all of these areas deteriorate–it happened gradually. Tonight on the way to Alexander’s Steak House (an area in which I grew up), I commented that the one place that seems to have stayed intact was a brick building that still houses a tavern–used to be called the Anchor Club (I think).
The desire for people (residential, churches, and businesses) to move farther and farther away from the inner city into more affluent areas created the blight–and I can’t believe that a significant number of people and businesses could be lured back.
However, wherever people shop (whether downtown Peoria or the malls), Peoria still has that small town feel because I can always run into people I know, etc. I am not sure that it matters whether or not you run into people walking on the street or in stores, etc., but the friendly feel of neighborhoods has been destroyed. Of course, District 150 has, also, played its part in destroying neighborhoods–especially the far (old) north end from which all schools have been vacated..
I’m so happy to see this series start. I love to see the before and after and try to place the old buildings where I now see new ones and what else has changed right next door. This is fabulous and I look forward to see it all.
nothing is inevitable; few things are irreversable; good or bad, well, I guess that depends on your values, doesn’t it? Some people think the current situation is just peachy. Some contributors to this blog cheer every idea the establishment has, no matter how idiotic.
Well Mouse I see so much of dispair and world problems that its nice once in a while to get a breath of fresh air and see something that I like that will give me and others a smile. Its too bad you can’t enjoy the good parts of the world with the rest of us. And, no, I don’t think every idea is a good one, nor is everyone idiotic.
well said SD.
We all have our problems with Peoria, for various reasons. Despite this, we all live here and there must be some reason for that. There is a great deal to like about Peoria. My family and I are eagerly waiting for the Santa Parade. We can’t wait to see what the Civic Center will dish up for Christmas. Forest Park Nature Center, the occasional event down by the riverfront, the earthquake that will never come……..
I grew up around here, like many of you, and have loads of memories. This may sound odd, but Peoria reminds me of the Northwoods Mall. I remember when you could easily spend a good part of the day there. Cool shops, Aladdin’s Castle, two bookstores, Orange Julius, Hardees, Garcias… hell they even had an A&W for awhile! Getting botulism was never so much fun!
Today, I am worried that I will show up at the mall and not even be able to get a cup of coffee. It seems like Peoria has gone the way of the Northwoods Mall.
Wonder what all that new riverfront development will have in store for us? A new museum anyone…?