Eureka is in a convenient spot between Peoria and Bloomington
The City of Eureka, the seat of Woodford County, is in a primarily rural area of Central Illinois, full of farmland and open space. The population is about 5,100, according to U.S. Census estimates. "It's a farming community, and I'd say it's also a bedroom community for Bloomington and Peoria. It's a good point between the two," says Shannan Werckle, a Realtor with eXp Realty LLC. Peoria is about 20 miles west of Eureka, and Bloomington is about 30 miles to the southeast.
A president's collegiate connection and a pumpkin-themed past
"Eureka's big claim to fame is it's the college hometown of President Ronald Reagan," Werckle says. Eureka College, a Christian establishment founded in 1855, is designated a Campus Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places. The school has over 500 undergraduate students, and more than 60% of them live on campus. "They have tremendous scholarships that bring people here, Werckle says.
The college's Ronald Reagan Museum is open to the public, and its Peace Garden features a bust of Reagan and a piece of the Berlin Wall. Reagan, who graduated in 1932, was already a famous movie star when he visited in 1947 for the Eureka Pumpkin Festival. At the time, Eureka was hailed as the Pumpkin Capital of the World. Morton, Illinois, claimed the title after Libby's, a major producer of canned pumpkin, closed its Eureka facility in 1960.
Homes from the second half of the 19th century to the 21st century
Some of the oldest homes — Victorians, farmhouses and Craftmans — were built in the 1860s to the early 1900s. Other 20th century architecture includes Cape Cods and ranch-style and split-level homes. One of the newest subdivisions, Parkview Estates, has 2020s homes and buildable lots. Home prices typically range from about $88,000 to $350,000, depending on age, condition, square footage and lot size. Many homes are on over a 1/2 acre; some on the outskirts of town have multiacre lots. Homes in the vicinity of Walnut Creek on the west side of town may be susceptible to flooding.
An option for seniors is the non-profit retirement community Maple Lawn Homes, which offers yearly rentals and life leases. The organization handles reselling and provides an equity refund based on the length of residence.
Highly rated public schools at each level for Eureka students
The Congerville-Eureka-Goodfield Community Unit School District serves the area. Students may attend Davenport Elementary School, Eureka Middle School and Eureka High School, all earning an A-minus grade from Niche. Many high school students participate in sports like football, wrestling, basketball and golf. Extracurricular groups include Scholastic Bowl, Speech Team and the Future Farmers of America.
Several places for shopping and dining in Eureka
Eureka is fairly spread out and has a few commercial areas. The central part of town is the area around the intersection of Center Street and Main Street, which are U.S. Route 24 and state Route 117, respectively. The Woodford County Courthouse dates to the late 1890s, and among the shops are Objects, which is known for antiques; gift shop the Bees Knees on Main and thrift stores. Wendy Puff Pizzeria + Pub, operated by a two-brother team, specializes in Neapolitan-style crust. The restaurant hosts live bands and trivia and craft nights.
Toward the west side of town are Kirby Foods, a CVS and some fast-food restaurants. Toward the south, The Outpost is known for its bar, liquor store, sandwiches and The Hybrid, a tenderloin with pizza toppings. Farther down Main Street, Diggle Ace Hardware provides home essentials, and Lydia's Dairy Barn has window-service ice cream, shakes and sandwiches.
Social gatherings and annual events bring neighbors together
Local merchants and products are showcased during the Eureka Market on the Courthouse Lawn on Main Street in June, and businesses hold open houses during the September Stroll. The Cannery, a rentable venue, also has public gatherings, such as a holiday market in December and May's Cinco de Market with a boutique truck court.
Recreation around Lake Eureka, a golf course and park events
Eureka Lake is a 36-acre lake on the southwest side of town. "There's canoeing and that kind of thing, sand volleyball on the shore and some people fish," Werckle says. "They have a really nice Fourth of July and do the fireworks over the lake." Lake Eureka Park has about 240 acres of land and includes a frisbee golf course, a dog park, trails, a skateboard park and other athletics amenities.
On the west side of town, the 9-hole Kaufman Park Golf Course is a public facility used by Eureka High School golf teams and men's and women's leagues. To the east is the Farm Bureau Park, where the Central Illinois BBQ Throwdown is held in June and the Woodford County 4-H Fair takes place in July. The 4-H fair includes agricultural, animal and art shows and competitions, including a kids' tractor pull.
Quiet streets, access to medical services, a drive to Peoria's airport
Eureka is generally walkable since there is not heavy traffic. Though not all residential streets have sidewalks, the main part of town along Main and Central streets has them. A vehicle will be required for any long distances. Medical facilities include Carle Eureka Convenient Care, and there are hospitals in Peoria and Bloomington. Freight trains go through a part of Eureka north of Center Street, but there's no passenger service; the nearest Amtrak station is in Bloomington. It's about a 30-mile drive to General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport, on the southwest side of Peoria, for commercial flights on several airlines.
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Written By
Robin Silberman
