History on the Move: Peoria History Tours
Watch for these tours in 2024. Coming soon!
See the Sights…Hear the Stories
Walking Tours 2023: 8:30 to 10:00 am
Grand Glen Oak-June 8
Meet at Flanagan House on Glen Oak. Enjoy a closer look at the many architectural styles of homes on this street, including five homes designed by Peoria architect Frederick Klein. Motor down to the other end of Glen Oak for more wonderful homes.
Grandview Drive-June 22
Meet at the Pimiteoui overlook (first turnout after Prospect). Stroll along the Drive for a mile to “Stonecrest,” the former Block family mansion. Along the way, hear the stories of the “Castle,” the Country Club of Peoria, and the “House of a Thousand Windows.” Beautiful views line both sides of this linear park and interesting stories abound.
Springdale Soldiers-July 13
Meet at the lot next to the cemetery’s office. Caravan to Soldiers Hill and Mt. Repose to learn of the Civil War soldiers and Medal of Honor recipients.
Randolph Roanoke-July 27
Meet at the park at the corner of Randolph and Hamilton. Enjoy a walk through the city’s first Historic District, where you will see the city’s largest collection of Victorian homes. Listen to fascinating stories of the earliest residents.
High Street and Moss-August 10
Meet at the parking lot behind Converse Marketing. Join your guide as he takes you past the lavish homes of the first whiskey barons. Continue a ways down Moss Avenue, the first paved street in Peoria.
Historical Downtown-August 24
Meet at the former river boat landing. Join your guide for a tour that showcases early Peoria history, including the courthouses and the war memorials. Stroll to the GAR Hall to learn about its architecture and its history.
Women of Springdale –Sept 14
Meet at the cemetery office and caravan to the graves of Lucie Tyng and Lydia Moss Bradley to learn of their contributions to Peoria. Also included are stops at graves of other influential women, such as Ellen Galusha Smith, Lucy Pettengill and Mabel Morrin.
Springdale Cemetery Drivearound-September 28 NOTE TWO HOUR TIME FRAME FOR THIS TOUR!
Meet at the office of the cemetery to begin. You will caravan to seven different areas of the cemetery to learn of many different Peorians. You will also visit the beautiful Mausoleum, not usually open to the public.
Watches, Whiskey and Royalty on Moss-October 12
Meet at Pettengill-Morron House. Your tour highlights the contributions of noted landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead. Learn about the origins of Bradley Polytechnic and how one young woman, Margaret Clarke, became known as the Princess from Peoria.
Recalling the Theaters of Downtown-October 26
Meet in the parking lot of the Main Library at 107 NE Monroe. Join your guide for a walk along Main, Adams, Fulton and Madison as the fabulous theaters that once lined the streets are described. Wonderful “before” and “after” photos of the area will help make the stories come alive.
Bus Tours start outside the Caterpillar visitors center
Abe Lincoln
Learn about Lincoln's many visits to Peoria, the Civil War camps located here and the veterans' final resting places in Springdale Cemetery. Learn about abolition and view the GAR Hall, built in 1909.
Roll Out the Barrel Tour
Peoria once featured a riverfront lined with breweries and distilleries. Taxes collected ranked it as the Whiskey Capital of the World.
From 1850 to Prohibition, the volume of whiskey distilled, aged, and bottled in Peoria led to great fortunes being made and to the birth of equally prosperous secondary industries. Discover why Peoria was the perfect place for all of these industries to be developed.
Naughty to Nice Tour
This tour traces triumphs through time from the 1920’s to the present. Tales of gambling and mobsters, including the site of Peoria’s most notorious crime – the Bernie Shelton murder, provide a fascinating look into this era. Also, discover why Peoria has won the prestigious All-America City Award four times.
Note: This tour is not appropriate for children
Warehouse Renaissance Tour
Once a dusty collection of aging warehouses, the Warehouse District is now changing rapidly. New residential units, restaurants and retail make this area vibrant. The early history of the area and the factors that led to new development will be shared.
Roots of the River City Tour
The Native Americans, the French, the whiskey and earthmoving capital of the world and the grand mansions – the River City Tour has it all. You will view the stately homes along High Street, Moss Avenue, Glen Oak, and Grandview Drive. Enjoy the beautiful view of the Illinois River during this tour.
Haunted Peoria Tour
Explore the darker side of Peoria! Discover the stories behind the ghostly appearances that have startled and puzzled Peorians through the years. Curses, graves, legends and spooky sightings abound.
Historic Springdale Tour
Historic Springdale Cemetery has many fascinating stories. Explore the oldest chartered cemetery in the state of Illinois and enjoy the beautiful park-like setting as you hear stories of those who have their final resting place there.
World’s Most Beautiful Drive Tour
This tour will focus on the history of the beautiful and gracious homes of Grandview Drive. In addition, we will look at some of the LeTourneau all-steel homes located in Peoria Heights. The history of transportation industries and the former Pabst Brewery in this small community are also addressed.
Notable Peoria Women Tour
Peoria has a rich history of fascinating women who have made their mark on the city and the world. You will learn about three Peoria women inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, as well as discovering other women who impacted education, business, medicine, and the lives of those less fortunate.
NEW West Peoria & the Uplands
View the oldest planned neighborhood in Peoria and learn more about West Bluff cemeteries, the Western Avenue Greenway Project and the proud residents of this area.