1949 Map of Peoria East

About this map

Peoria and its neighboring riverfront communities appear in this post-war landscape, defined by a dense grid of residential streets and a heavy industrial and transportation core along the Illinois River. The map illustrates the city's role as a major rail hub, featuring the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific and the Illinois Terminal railroads servicing the waterfront. Significant civic and educational institutions like Bradley University, City Hall, and Peoria Stadium are clearly marked, while across the river, East Peoria and Creve Coeur show the expansion of suburban and industrial development. The river itself is dominated by the Peoria Lake expansion, with infrastructure like the Mcclugage Bridge and the Peoria Lock and Dam highlighting the critical engineering that managed the waterway for both trade and regional connectivity.