PEORIA -- The annual Grand Tour of West Bluff Homes is always interesting. This year it was especially fascinating for the diversity of the offerings. It's a one-day-only event, this year on May 16.
The buildings included a couple of grand homes undergoing renovation, some beautifully renovated more modest homes and their gardens, an apartment in a 1916-era building, and even a 2007 building, the Peoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W. Main.
One home featured dancing from the Civil War reenactment dancing group, in costumes.
Why do this year after year? The homes are always different, it's fascinating to see real homes undergoing renovation or being lived in by real families. It demonstrates that you don't have to be a millionaire to save a lovely, historic home. And it shows off Peoria's heritage to best advantage.
Moss Avenue, where four of the homes are located, could be Charleston, South Carolina, which makes millions off tourism from its history.
This tour also shows that inner city Peoria -- that term is loosely defined here -- is fascinating and historic -- and many, many people are dedicated to saving it from dissolving into slum landlordism -- as has happened in parts of Chicago's inner city with wonderful century -old homes.
I'll be back next year.
The buildings included a couple of grand homes undergoing renovation, some beautifully renovated more modest homes and their gardens, an apartment in a 1916-era building, and even a 2007 building, the Peoria NEXT Innovation Center, 801 W. Main.
Will this lovely glass and brick structure hold up for a century, like the other buildings on the list? Good question.
The tour is always fun because of the ideas, the antiques on display, the wonderful interior features of these homes, and the clever decorating. Everyone is friendly and welcoming.One home featured dancing from the Civil War reenactment dancing group, in costumes.
Why do this year after year? The homes are always different, it's fascinating to see real homes undergoing renovation or being lived in by real families. It demonstrates that you don't have to be a millionaire to save a lovely, historic home. And it shows off Peoria's heritage to best advantage.
Moss Avenue, where four of the homes are located, could be Charleston, South Carolina, which makes millions off tourism from its history.
This tour also shows that inner city Peoria -- that term is loosely defined here -- is fascinating and historic -- and many, many people are dedicated to saving it from dissolving into slum landlordism -- as has happened in parts of Chicago's inner city with wonderful century -old homes.
I'll be back next year.
-- Elaine Hopkins
I missed it again this year, but I'm not terribly disappointed because Zerla properties had 3 houses on the tour and I don't like supporting them. Mr. Zerla is one of those Mega-lords who owns half of High and Moss. I wouldn't have a problem with this, except that he doesn't live in Peoria and he picks & chooses which houses he wants to maintain closely while letting the rest turn to slums. The city needs to force him to keep ALL of his properties up.
Posted by: Doug Jones | May 18, 2010 at 11:45 AM
Actually, seeing Z's houses was interesting. At least he's into historic preservation instead of turning the sites into parking lots or strip malls. I would like to know more about him, as I don't see how he can make a profit renovating these houses. But good for him that he's trying.
Posted by: Elaine Hopkins | May 18, 2010 at 03:57 PM