Update: This post was originally titled “Central Peoria,” but was revised in June of 2022 to reflect its proper name, which is the Near South Side, or just South Side of Peoria. The accompanying text has been adapted, as well.

It’s hard to explain, but all the Near South Side of Peoria to the northwest of downtown but below the bluffs has at some point been completely annihilated by urban renewal and replaced by public housing and in-fill. It is very bizarre. Other than churches, you would not realize that this area had been settled before the 1970s.