Le Roy offers proximity to Bloomington and a small-town feel
The city of Le Roy rests about 15 miles southeast of Bloomington. “It’s like a slice of small-town Americana,” says Chad Lange, a Realtor with Re/Max Rising who has lived in the Le Roy area for most of his life. “Many of the streets in town look like a Hallmark village, especially around Christmas.” Although the city sees some newcomers, people tend to stay in Le Roy once they’ve found their place. “Our mayor has been the mayor for the last 165 years,” jokes Lange. “He owns it, too. He got a T-shirt made that says, ‘Old Grey Mayor’, and he wears it around town.”
A choice of historic or new housing, but listings are scarce
Housing options tend to vary by location. “We have an old part of town and a new part of town,” Lange says. “In the old part of town, you’ll find some Craftsman styles and Victorians, and new homes are sometimes built to look like the older homes.” Prices tend to range from $60,000 to $330,000, depending on size and condition. Newer subdivisions have cropped up along the edge of the city, with ranch-style houses along curving streets and cul-de-sacs. Post-2000 builds may run from around $320,000 to $580,000.There are a few housing developments underway, but the city’s aging water infrastructure limits growth. “Our housing market is starved for listings,” Lange says. “We sell some places before they even hit the market.” Some parts of the city are prone to flooding, and lenders may require flood insurance.
B-rated public schools and an emphasis on football
Children may begin learning at LeRoy Elementary School, which earns a B on Niche. LeRoy Junior High receives a B on Niche, and LeRoy Senior High gets a B-plus. Both schools are housed in the same building along East Center Street — the LeRoy Jr./Sr. High School. The high school offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including theater and band, but football tends to take the spotlight. “Our high school football team is like ‘Friday Night Lights’. Before the home games, everyone comes out to watch the band and all the players march from the high school to the football field,” Lange says.
Casual dining, bourbon tastings and a small downtown shopping district
In the center of Le Roy, there’s a small, walkable shopping district with locally owned businesses inside historic row buildings. HoneyDoo Boutique carries specialty baby clothes and accessories. Kirby Foods, a full-service grocery store, is a few blocks south of the city center. From May through September, residents can shop for fresh produce and other goods at the Le Roy Farmers and Artisan Market in Kiwanis Park.
For casual sit-down dining, Jack's Café and Pizzeria Roma are two family-friendly restaurants. TailGaters Pub is a classic roadhouse that serves wings and nachos, and on weekends, they often have live music. Oak & Flame Bourbon Hall, housed in an old, Greek Revival bank building, periodically hosts bourbon tasting events. In nearby Bloomington, diners can find everything from upscale, farm-to-table restaurants to Korean barbecue.
Parks, pools and playgrounds throughout Le Roy and beyond
Residents have access to a variety of recreation. There are several green spaces, like Gaultney Memorial Park and Bowman Park, which both have playgrounds and sports courts. Replex, a fitness center on East Washington Street, has an indoor and outdoor pool as well as a gym. Locals can join on a monthly basis or purchase a day pass.
There are also a few larger outdoor recreation areas just outside the city. At LeRoy Country Club, members can play the nine-hole golf course and swim in the outdoor pool. The 45-acre Howard Virgin Timber Park features mountain biking trails and a fishing pond. Moraine View State Park, less than 10 miles north, has more than 1,500 acres of glacially formed landscape to explore. Visitors boat and swim in the lake, ride horses and camp.
Holiday gatherings and the Le Roy Fall Festival
Le Roy residents gather for holidays and events throughout the year. “Halloween is big here, and around Christmas, so many people decorate their homes,” Lange says. In mid-December, the mayor hosts a holiday stroll through the downtown lights. The Le Roy Fall Festival takes place each August, with a carnival and live music in Kiwanis Park.
Most residents drive, and I-74 provides access to bigger-city services
Sidewalks line some community streets, making some parks and restaurants easily accessible for pedestrians. Connect Go bus service offers on-demand transportation for rural McLean County, where Le Roy is located, but most people rely on cars for travel. Interstate 74 and U.S. Route 150 both connect with Bloomington, about 15 miles northwest, and Champaign, around 35 miles southeast. In Le Roy, locals can visit the Chisholm Center for Health for checkups and non-urgent care. For medical emergencies, Le Roy Ambulance Service offers advanced life support and transportation to the OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington. The closest airport with commercial flights is the Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal.
