The metropolitan Peoria is Illinois' Largest City . Since earlier times when Peoria IL was considered an important stop for the Vaudeville companies, the city has been considered as a barometer of public taste . The city's motto is “ See how it plays in Peoria ”, a humorous throwback to the times when if a play ran successfully in Peoria , it would appeal to American audiences anywhere else.
Early History : The first settlements were in the 1860s, when French explorers Roberst Cavalier Sieur de LaSalle and Henri de Tonti established a fort in the area. This fort was eventually burnt to the ground and replaced by Fort Clark in 1813. In 1825, the fort was officially renamed Peoria .
Current Statistics, Demographics and Economy : With a land area of 115 sq.kms, Peoria is the largest city on the River Illinois . According to a census in 2004, the city's metropolitan area has a population of 370,000. Demographically, Peoria has a Midwestern type of culture.
The Economy is mainly agrarian and partly urban. Per capita Income is about US$ 20,512. The Forbes Magazine ranks Peoria as the Most Affordable out of 150 US metropolitan cities . It is ranked 67 out of 200 “ Best Places for Business and Commerce ”. It is also an important medical and healthcare hub with many research facilities and medical colleges in the area. It constitutes about 25% of the economy.
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Famous Businesses in the Area are -
- Caterpillar Inc . - Bulldozer and Engine Manufacturers
- Clifton Gunderson LLP – National accounting firm and business consultants
- National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research – Largest center in the US and has credit for mass-producing penicillin.
Education in Peoria: Peoria has two public school districts consisting of dozens of primary, middle and high schools. The Peoria Central High School is supposed to be the oldest institution in Illinois. The Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches also run several schools. Peoria is also a center for higher education, with the Bradley University, Midstate College, Illinois Central College campuses, Robert Morris College and University of Illinois College of Medicine campus located here.
Famous Residents of Peoria -
- Betty Friedan – Author of The Feminine Mystique and noted feminist.
- Jim Thorne – Played Baseball for the Chicago White Sox.
- Joe Giradi – Major league Baseball player.
- Nancy Brinker – US Ambassador
- Tom Irwin – Theatre and Television Actor
- Bill Balance – Radio Host
- Philip Jose Farmer – Science Fiction Novelist.
- George D . Sax – Chairman of National Bank of Chicago and Innovator of Drive-through Banking.
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