Reviews & Comments
Havana, IL
Emi - the largest inland wetlands in America and i -
8/13/2010Emi, officially known as Chatauqua, a US FISh & Wildlife Preserve, and Emiquon, The Nature Conservancy Illinois project, is in the Lower Mississippi Flyway in an area adjunt to the Mississippi River. Called the "Tourist
Capital of Illinois" in 1900, the wetlands were destroyed and drained for farm use. After the last great flood these same areas in Havana and Lewistown were reclaimed and returned to the use nature intended. Today birders, boaters, fishermen, nature lovers and hunters alike share the bounty of the Illinois River in over 12,000 acres of wetlands in Mason and Fulton Counties. Heron, tern, ducks, snow geese, swans, pelicans, tree swallow and eagles are only a few of the speciaes that have returned every years to their original habitat at Emi.
The area is located about 50 miles SW of Peoria on IL 97 in Fulton County, and just off Maonto Blacktop in Mason County. Annual events in the area include Spoon River Drive and Oktoberfest in the fall and Eagle Watch Day in the late winter. Things to do or see include Native American museuam at Dickson Mounds in Lewistorn, the Jake Wolfe Fish Hatchery and winery at Manito. Havana's river front offers a boat ramp, nearby marina, RV and primitive camping, play area and sheltered picnic areas. Both towns offer shopping, historical sites, gas, restaurants and motels. Havana also offers a hospital and other medical services. Sprint, Verizon & ATT cellphones work well in this area, too. Chatauqua and Emiquon are seven short miles apart. Larger cities nearby include Pekin and Canton.
The above areas are listed in the official Illinois River Road Byways website and brochure.
Havana, IL
Emi - the largest inland wetlands in America -
8/13/2010Emi, officially known as Chautauqua, a US FISh & Wildlife Service Preserve, and Emequon, The Nature Conservancy Illinois project, is in the Lower Mississippi Flyway in an area adjunt to the Mississippi River. Called the "Tourist
Capital of Illinois" in 1900, the wetlands were destroyed and drained for farm use. After the last great flood these same areas in Havana and Lewistown were reclaimed and returned to the use nature intended. Today birders, boaters, fishermen, nature lovers and hunters alike share the bounty of the Illinois River in over 12,000 acres of wetlands in Mason and Fulton Counties. Heron, tern, ducks, snow geese, swans, pelicans, tree swallow and eagles are only a few of the speciaes that have returned every year to their original habitats at Emi.
The area is located about 50 miles SW of Peoria on IL 97 in Fulton County, and just off Maonto Blacktop in Mason County. Annual events in the area include Spoon River Drive and Oktoberfest in the fall and Eagle Watch Day in the late winter. Things to do or see include Native American museuam at Dickson Mounds in Lewistorn, the Jake Wolfe Fish Hatchery and winery at Manito. Havana's river front offers a boat ramp, nearby marina, RV and primitive camping, play area and sheltered picnic areas. Both towns offer shopping, historical sites, gas, restaurants and motels. Havana also offers a hospital and other medical services. Sprint, Verizon & ATT cellphones work well in this area, too. Chatauqua and Emiquon are seven short miles apart. Larger cities nearby include Pekin and Canton.
The above areas are listed in the official Illinois River Road Byways website and brochure.
Peoria, IL
Peoria is... -
6/27/2010The City of Peoria is a river town. It is located in the Illinois River Valley on the banks of the Illinois River - a deep channel commercial shipping lane this is also the longest river in the state. Historically, it is not uncommon for a river town to have a higher incidnece of crime than an inland community of the same size. Peoria has made great strides in this area in the last few years by renovating, changing traffic patterns and discouraging bad behavior. Old warehouses were converted to living space and artist lofts. The waterfront was updated with fountain, meeting place, state-of-art fitness center, galleries and other venues. When completed THE BLOCK will house museums, Peoria Art Guild, restaurant and a new planetarium. Peoria will complete or begin projects totalling $200M this year. Many local events are held at the Peoria river front or the newly expanded Civic Center.
Peoria has talent as evidenced in the community band, symphony orchestra, community singers, ballet and opera companies, artist colony, Peoria Players Theater, Broadway Series, and Cornstock - the 4th oldest summer theater in America - Indie films and Indie music, and musicians of every type from modern Jazz to Chamber Music, and last but never least is our comedy clubs and commedians. .
Peoria is historic from its meager beginning as a French Village to it 2010 Gold Medal winner Peoria Park District to its cbildren's hospital - "the only full service teriary hospital for kids in downstate." Peoria has 3x more physicians than the national average. There is also a large community of non-traditonal practioners as well as natural food stores and Vegan restaurants.
Peoria has always been a sports town from bowling and golf to baseball, football, hockey, soccer, skeet, GPS mountain biking, cross country races, swimming, gymnastics, skating, skiing and TT Finals; there is more in nearby counties. Nearly every public event in Peoria is managed by tbe Peoria Park District. Despite it nearly 10,000 acres, and year round offerings, and despite its award winning Peoria Zoologial Park, the public light is rarely shined on this very valuable Peoria asset.
Peoria shops. Offerings range from the small boutiques in Peoris Heights to two malls and seven independent shopping centers, plus six natioal grocers, health food stores, three meat markets, a fish market and several small independent specialty food stores in Peoria. .
Peoria educates. Peorians have a wide choice when it comes to educating our children from Homeschool to public school, from gifted to magnet schools, and from religious to private schools. Peoria has one of the few schools dedicated to educating Autistic children. Within Peoria Metropolitan Statistial Area residents can access nine main libraries, a number of satellite libraries, Bradley University, Eureka College, ICC community college, Spoon River community college, medical college, several trade schools, plus in nearby McLean county there is Nomral State University. a private college and a community college. Peorians do not lack in educational opporunityl
Peoria has several modes of transportation incuding 5 bridges, 2 Interstate routes. 2 US routes and 3 Illnois State Routes that move vehicles in and around Peoria, Additionally there is a regional airport with direct flights, national bus service, taxi, city bus and limo service. Peoria exports by air, rail, water and truck. "According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Peoria ranks 20th of all metropolitan cities exporting to Europe, putting it in league with New York, San Francisco and Chicago."
Peoria has never been a gastronomic adventure, but there has always been four or five staple restaurants that offer casual dining, plus food fairs, seasonal Farmer's Market, fast food and specialty foods like Trefzger's Bakery that has served Peorians for over 100-years. Peoria does not offer Chicago style dining, but we do have some awfully good food and an excellent Peoria Health Department that protects the public. .
Peoria, for its size has a very diverse culture and religious community that includes Federalist, Greek Orthodox, Catholic, Jewish, AME, Unitarian, mainstream Christian and others. Peoria is a city of many colors, many cultures, many talents, many philosophies, many political views and an ancient history that includes Native Americans and the City of Chicago.
As a whole Peoria will meet or exceed the expectations of the majority of its residents and visitors. River cities being what they are will aways have less than desireable neighborhoods and business that fails. It should not be a criteria. Despite the downturn in the national economy Peoria's economy is stable because it knows how to reinvent itself. The economy of yesterday that was built on industry and Caterpillar, is today built on a medical, business, technolotical and financial model that will serve the city well into the future.
Peoria, Illinois is a good place for family and business to call home.