Peoria Population 2010: 115,007, #226 in U.S., #7 in Illinois 1950: 111,856, #94 in U.S. 2010
Metropolitan Area: 379,186, #135 in U.S. 1950 Metropolitan Area: 250,512, #79 in U.S. Setting The
Peoria area, along the Illinois River, was first settled in the late 1600s. The area that is now downtown Peoria was settled in 1778. Today the city has parks, restaurants, and a marina along the downtown waterfront. Buildings Tallest building: Twin Towers 1 and 2 (1984), 282 feet Stores Peoria has no downtown department stores. Trains Amtrak has no service to Peoria. Museums The Peoria Art Guild is located downtown. |  Peoria and Illinois River (Photo by Scott Tranchitella) Theaters
Peoria has no downtown movie theaters. The Madison Theater (1920), a restored movie palace, has been closed for the past few years. The Peoria Symphony Orchestra plays at the Civic Center Theater (1982). The Civic Center also hosts a Broadway Theater Series of touring musicals. Sports The
Peoria Chiefs, Single-A Midwest League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals,
play at
O’Brien Field (2002). The Peoria Rivermen of the Southern Professional Hockey League play at Carver Arena of the Civic Center. |