It wouldn’t be a complete visit to Central Illinois without checking in on Northeast Peoria, those streets that stretch out in a diagonal fashion from downtown Peoria.

It is an interesting mix of rehabbed and abandoned buildings.

This gas station is a find; if you look carefully, there are the letters for Standard Oil on the building in the background.

I also went by Perry Street, which is one of the more fascinating mix of apartment building and single family houses, some in excellent condition, but others suffering.

I think it is a microcosm of many streets throughout the Midwest in midsize cities such as Peoria where there was once more industry.

I do know that some of the abandoned storefronts have been filled with Mexican groceries, which is a new development since I’ve been examining these streets.