,IL USA

Welcome to an unofficial home page for Le Roy, Illinois, USA.

As far as I know, this is the only page available at the moment that is dedicated solely to the city of LeRoy. Recently the LeRoy Schools have gotten on the web with a page far superior to this one. However, in order to show-off a couple pictures of the town, I created this little page. If you live in LeRoy, then there may not be much here for you. However, if you don't, you might take a minute to see what a small town in the middle of the U.S. is like. We don't have much in terms of tourism, but I think it is important to see a few small towns while touring any country. I know that when I travel (on the internet or the train), I tend to stick to the big cities and parks. However, I have gotten a lot of mistaken impressions about places by only talking to the city folk. There is something to be said for those quiet places too.

Location

So where is this place? For those of you familiar with the States, LeRoy is in what we call the Midwest (honestly it is more east that west, but maybe mideast just didn't sound cool). More specifically it is Central Illinois just south of the Great Lakes. If you live really far away, then perhaps you can just picture it as close to Chicago. If you really want to a specific location , you can see a map right down to where the school is located.

Generally people think that there is little to do in a small town. Actually, this is true, but there are many things close-by that makes LeRoy a very livable small town. About twenty minutes away by car are the fabulous twin-cities of Bloomington/Normal . There one can find a number of job opportunities, shopping centers, movie theaters, and restaurants. For those people who simply must go to a huge city now and then for a musical or something, LeRoy is about two hours by car from Chicago, St. Louis, or Indianapolis. Many people who live in the "suburbs" of these cities would need more than an hour to get downtown. However, since LeRoy is on the interstate, travel is rather fast.

History

LeRoy celebrated its 150th birthday when I was a kid, so it must be around 160 years old now. There were evidently Kickapoo Indians in the area before the European immigrants came and pushed them out. There is one famous story of a Mr. West who either became friends with or killed (okay, the story is not so famous) the Indians. Anyway, he donated this statue as well as a small forest north of LeRoy that is now named after him.

For those interested in the early life of these settlers, you might check out the Rike House Guild Museum which preserves the home of an early blacksmith. LeRoy was on a couple railroad lines back in the day, so there was some hope that it would grow into quite a city. There was once a big race track just outside of town and many people would come on weekends to see the sights. However, railroads died out and other cities grew faster than LeRoy for some reason. The city's population has been stuck at about 3000 for many years. For more information about the history of LeRoy, you might try the JT and EJ Crumbaugh Historical Museum.

Today

Today LeRoy is mostly a "bedroom community," but it has much to offer. Many families live there and their kids attend LeRoy Schools. LeRoy High School (my alma mater) generally has about forty graduates per year. I think this size of school is ideal. I felt a little confined by the limited number of classes (Spanish is the only foreign language), but compared to some of the problems of big-city schools, small towns aren't so bad.

There are a few businesses including two banks, a few gas stations, DQ, Hardees, and a Super 8. Aside from the franchises, there are many small businesses that have operated out of LeRoy for many years. One of my neighbors runs a electrical appliance repair shop. Other people commute to work in Bloomington/Normal or other surrounding cities. Obviously a good number of people in the area are farmers. The main crops are corn and soybeans, and much of the local conversation is about this year's crop or yesterday's weather.

The main street that you see at the right is actually a current photo. Although it is not the bustling shopping and business district that Walt Disney recalled when creating Main Street USA, Disneyland, but it is still a site to see. There are insurance companies, engineers, and lawyers who have offices in these old buildings. The city has recently installed the old-fashioned street lights that you see, so main street (actually Center Street) is a good place for a stroll on a cool evening.

Sights

Aside from the two museums mentioned, there is not a lot of tourist action. About ten minutes north by car is Moraine View State Recreastion Area where one can enjoy camping, swimming, hunting, etc. The building at right is my favorite work of architecture in the town. It was originally the home of the LeRoy State Bank. However, when the bank moved to a new building in the 70s, the building became a restaurant. It has been as the Old Bank Inn ever since. It is supposed to be a pretty good restaurant depending who the owner is now, but I have never eaten there.

I am sure there is plenty that I am leaving out, but that is a general slice of life in LeRoy. The last site of importance is of course my home. I have traveled a lot and spent many nights in friends houses all over the world, but I never get the chance to repay the favor. If anyone is truly interested in seeing or learning about LeRoy, feel free to email me (Aaron@WorldWideShoes.Org) and I can set you up with a personal tour. Enjoy.

Maintained by Aaron Bishop/ Aaron@WorldWideShoes.Org