Peoria Heights in Peoria County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Illinois River Road
National Scenic Byway
Photographed by Matthew Stevens, August 19, 2026
1. Illinois River Road Marker
World's Most Beautiful Drive
On October 12, 1910, President Theodore Roosevelt was driven along Grandview Drive to the Country Club of Peoria, where he attended a luncheon. When his host apologized for the bumpy road conditions, Roosevelt is said to have replied, "What difference does it make? I have traveled all over the world, and this is the world's most beautiful drive."
Designed by Oscar F. Dubuis, who apprenticed with famed landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted, Grandview Drive was completed in 1904 by the Peoria Park District and now showcases some of Peoria's great cultural and natural treasures. Historic homes lime the 2½-mile drive. Public parklands along the way reveal a panorama of the Illinois River valley. In 1996, the entire road, its adjacent parklands, and historic homes were added to the National Register of Historic Places, making Grandview Drive the first linear park to receive that honor.
Pimiteoui Trail
Pimiteoui (pronounced "Pim-a-too-ee") translates to "fat lake," a Native American reference to the Illinois River's wide channel in Peoria. This fertile river valley is indeed "fat" with
this page online
Born from Glaciers
The Mississippi River once flowed through the river valley before you, until glaciers shifted its course to the west. Around 16,000 years ago, meltwater from receding glaciers burst through a natural dam that held back glacial Lake Chicago, unleashing the Kankakee Torrent. This thundering wall of water carved a new river valley all the way to Hennepin, where it spilled into the Mississippi River's abandoned channel. In that torrent, the Illinois River was born.
www.illinoisriverroad.org
Erected by Illinois River Road, Peoria Park District, America's Byways, EDC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #26 Theodore Roosevelt series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 12, 1910.
Location. 40° 44.822′ N, 89° 34.117′ W. Marker has been reported unreadable.
Photographed by Matthew Stevens, August 19, 2026
2. Illinois River Road Marker Left
The Pimiteoui State Marker can be seen behind this marker
Regionally, this marker is in the Illinois River Valley and in Greater Peoria. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Pimiteoui (here, next to this marker); Peoria's First Civil War Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away); Springdale Cemetery (approx. 1.7 miles away); Revolutionary War Veteran (approx. 1.8 miles away); Springdale Cemetery & Mausoleum
Photographed by Matthew Stevens, August 19, 2026
3. Illinois River Road Marker Surroundings
More about this marker. The marker can easily be accessed by traveling along Grandview Drive or by traveling up the Pimiteoui Trail.
Also see . . .
1. www.illinoisriverroad.org. This is the link that is present on this historical marker.
Excerpt: "Travel along 150 miles of the Illinois River Road corridor, which stretches from Ottawa, IL south to Havana. Explore 100 natural and historic sites and numerous unique communities located throughout its 10-county region."(Submitted on August 20, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois.)
2. YouTube: Grandview Drive - Peoria Heights, Illinois. This is a 7.5 minute YouTube video featuring footage of Grandview Drive in the late 2010s during the fall by Photasma Travel.
Excerpt of Video Description: "Grandview Drive - Peoria Heights, Illinois. I shot this video of Grandview Drive in Peoria Heights, Illinois a few years ago with a Gro-Pro attached to my car. I kind of forgot I had this and since we are all homebound these days and unable to travel, I thought I would post this. It is for those of you originally from Peoria that can't travel back right now to visit or those of you that still live there that are staying home. Enjoy this drive down Grandview Drive from the comfort of your own home!" (Submitted on August 20, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois.)
3. Peoria Magazine - Legends of Grandview Drive. This is a short article written by Greg Lynn of the Peoria Magazine in 2017. It details the events and truthfulness of Theodore Roosevelt's comment regarding Grandview Drive as well as some other local legends of the area.
Excerpt: "We all know of Teddy Roosevelts visit to Peoria in 1910, when he supposedly proclaimed Grandview the 'Worlds Most Beautiful Drive,' from which WMBD is said to have taken its call letters. But did TR, an accomplished world traveler, really say that?"(Submitted on August 20, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 20, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
