Riverfront Visitors Center
Visit our RiverFront Visitors Center located right on the RiverFront in downtown Peoria! You'll find area maps, Peoria Area Visitor Guides, area merchandise, coupons, information on riverfront events (PURCHASE TICKETS!) and information on other events that are happening in the Peoria Area, friendly volunteers to help answer any questions and more! The RVC is now accepting credit cards (Visa, MasterCard and Discover) on Peoria Area merchandise (only).
The RVC makes News - Read the Full Article
110 N. E. Water St.
Peoria, IL 61602
Call (309) 672-2860
HOURS:
Monday - Friday: 9a.m. - 5p.m.
Saturday: 9a.m. - 3p.m.
Closed on Sunday
More on the Peoria Area
RiverFront Visitors Center
The Riverfront Visitors Center (RVC) is the oldest commercial building standing in Peoria. Since 1998 the building has served as a one-stop shop for information on the Peoria Area, offering area maps, brochures, Peoria merchandise, friendly help and more. Over the years the building has gotten older and older and is in need of a major pick-me-up! The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is extremely important to the history of the area and to the community!
History The RVC was originally built in 1852 and is the only pre-Civil War commercial structure still standing in Peoria. The 157 year-old building was first built as the John Schwab Grocery and Beer Saloon. In 1852, John would sell ice cream for 15 cents a dish, and beer for a nickel! Now, those were the days! The Beer Saloon became Phillips Best Brewing Company, where beer was not only served but brewed and bottled. Beginning in 1917, the building would turn hands every few years from a toy factory in 1979, to a soda parlor, church, tire store and in 1948, the Powell Press. The Powell Press operated until1979. Caterpillar Inc. bought the building in the 1980's and donated it to the city of Peoria in 1997 to be used as part of the riverfront revitalization project. The building was physically moved 2 blocks down the road, from the 200 block of N. Washington, to 110 N.E. Water, in Riverfront Park where Main Street meets the riverfront. The move took 16 hydraulicjacks and a prayer - only losing one brick, the move was a success! Today, the building stands as the Peoria RiverFront Visitors Center.
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