Metamora is a village rooted in history with modern appeal
About 15 miles northeast of Peoria , Metamora is a village of 3,600 in Woodford County. Settled in the early 1800s, many in the community can trace their local lineage back for generations. “Roots and tradition are huge here,” says Mayor Dawn Deeb. “There are families that have been here a long time.” That reverence for the past also extends to the local architecture, with a handful of historical sites throughout the area. However, Metamora is no stranger to new blood, drawing potential homeowners with a combination of high-ranking schools, lower crime rates and proximity to larger cities. “We are blessed to be close to a lot of the action,” says Deeb. “It’s only 20 minutes to Peoria and less than an hour to the Bloomington area.” Metamora’s CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, less than the national average of 4.
Newer homes dominate northwest neighborhoods
With a median construction year of 2006, most homes in Metamora are contemporary designs. The newest developments are clustered in the village’s northwest corner on winding streets with cul-de-sacs. Lots are frequently a quarter-acre and larger, with neatly landscaped lawns and fenced-in backyards. Prices range from about $220,000 to $400,000, depending on amenities. Early to mid-20th-century homes are available closer to downtown. Designs are typically Cape Cod, split-level and ranch-style homes. Lots are smaller, on average, than newer sections of the village. However, they tend to have more greenery and larger backyards. Prices here run from about $120,000 to $310,000.
Public schools offer college prep and athletic pride
Mayor Deeb emphasizes local schools when it comes to attracting new homeowners. “The first thing people are looking at is the schools,” she says. “Our high school in particular has very robust academic offerings — They’re good at getting students on the college track prepared.” Metamora Grade School teaches prekindergarten to eighth grade and has an A-minus from Niche, while Metamora High School has a B-plus. The high school is also well-known in Central Illinois for its athletics department, and local sports play a big role in community spirit. “We draw athletes — people look at our school specifically for sports,” Deeb says. “If there’s a potential for college sports, they come here.”
Historic sites and outdoor spaces enrich village life
At 450 acres, Black Partridge is the village’s largest public park. In addition to familiar standbys like playground equipment and picnic pavilions, the facilities include sports fields, a preserved log cabin from the 1830s and 8 miles of hiking and biking trails through picturesque forests. Metamora has several historic buildings that offer tours, including the Adlai E. Stevenson Home and the Metamora Courthouse, one of only two remaining Illinois courthouses where Abraham Lincoln practiced law. Developed in the mid-1990s, Metamora Fields Golf Club is a public championship course with a clubhouse, full-service restaurant and event space for special outings and weddings.
Annual traditions celebrate the area's community spirit
Celebrated every summer since 1901, Old Settlers Days invites locals for a weekend of carnival rides, vendors, fun runs and parades. “It’s definitely the sort of thing that people come home for if they’ve moved away,” says Deeb. She says the annual high school homecoming football game is another “must-attend” event for many in the community. “That’s a tradition that’s held for as long as I can remember, and I’ve lived here most of my life,” Deeb says. “It’s very Americana — that’s for sure.”
Local shops and eateries line Mt. Vernon Street
Most shopping is off Mt. Vernon Street, including pharmacies, locally owned businesses and fast food. Groceries are available at Kirby Foods. For more familiar retail shopping, locals head to Peoria. Billing itself as “the world’s only five-star dive bar,” Sue’s Place offers a variety of craft beers and high-end liquors to go with its biker bar atmosphere. Geo’s Pizza and Pasta has served Metamora since 1995 with a selection of specialty pies, wings and more.
State routes connect to nearby cities and medical care
The area’s main highways are State Routes 89 and 116, the latter providing access to Peoria, about 16 miles away. Bloomington is about 36 miles southeast. The nearest emergency room is at Carle Eureka Hospital, about 10 miles away.
