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East Peoria is located in Tazewell County, Illinois. East Peoria is a suburb of Peoria, which is a part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the year 2000, East Peoria was home to 22,638 people. There are many hotel chains and restaurants that can be found adjacent to the downtown area in East Peoria, like the popular Par-a-Dice Hotel and Casino.

East Peoria History

East Peoria is located conveniently next to the Illinois River and has long drawn life from the rich soil and natural resources surrounding the area. East Peoria was first settled by people from Alsace-Lorraine, and their homes were built in swamplands where Caterpillar Inc. stands today. In 1864, Joseph Schertz platted an area known as Bluetown. The area was called Bluetown for one of three reasons. First, it was the custom for the Alsace-Lorraine men to wear blue smocks; secondly, the homes were built on stilts and were painted blue to combat the corrosive action of the swamps; and thirdly, many of the homes belonged to a mining company and a large quantity of blue paint had been purchased to paint the houses. Bluetown became known as Hilton in 1869.

Peoria continued to prosper, and when the shore began to crowd, developers looked to the east for room to expand. One of the first to do so was Almiron S. Cole. Captain Cole had grown quite wealthy as a merchant, steamboat captain and distiller. He built the first toll bridge in 1848 which connected the two shores. He eventually moved to the east side. The area quickly developed and began to be known as Coleville.

The residents of Bluetown and Coleville incorporated under the name of Hilton in 1884. In October 1889, the name was changed to the Village of East Peoria. It was changed to the City of East Peoria April 1919.

East Peoria Parks and Recreation

East Peoria is home to many fun parks and recreational activities. Visit the EastSide Centre or the Splash Down Water Park to cool off on a hot day. Play a round on the Fondulac Golf Course or stop by the Farm Park and be taken back in time!

EastSide Centre
EastSide Centre is one of the premier athletic facilities in the Midwest. The EastSide Centre hosts tournaments on the national, regional, and local levels in softball, baseball, volleyball, soccer and track.

Splash Down Water Park
Splashdown is a 3-acre water entertainment complex that is filled with the most fun water activities around!

Farm Park
This 1920’s farm gives everyone a glance of what farm life was like back in the day. The farm park has become a treasured destination for many children and families since its opening in 1981.

Carl Spindler Marina and Campground

Fondulac Park

Fondulac Golf Course

East Peoria Events

Festival of Lights
The Festival of Lights is a 24 year old tradition in East Peoria. The Festival’s mascot is the wooden soldier Folepi, whose name serves as an acronym for “Festival of Lights, East Peoria, Illinois.”