Illinois' Twin Cities: Bloomington & Normal, Illinois 4K.

Bloomington and Normal are unique to Illinois, in terms of economics. Most cities outside of Chicagoland are in a deep struggle economically. Not so much this place, at least for now.
Illinois State University: 6:00
Illinois Wesleyan University: 11:35 - 14:00
Location of the first ever Steak N Shake: 10:55
Downtown Bloomington: 14:50
McLean County Courthouse: 15:16
Eastland Mall: 22:45
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Пікірлер: 228

  • @ChrisHarden
    @ChrisHarden3 жыл бұрын

    EVERYTHING THAT I USE IN THE FIELD: Main Camera: amzn.to/3iS4vvF Side Cameras: amzn.to/2WuCYIs Media Mod for Camera: amzn.to/3j7CMGF Lav Mic: amzn.to/3lsMkz9 Drone: amzn.to/3ITcKBV SD Cards: amzn.to/3C2co9O Camera Mounts: amzn.to/2UXVR6p Cables Required for Longer Recordings: amzn.to/3BYnr3Q Computer: amzn.to/3787b2j External Hard Drive: amzn.to/3lb23Tf WHAT I USE AT HOME: Computer: amzn.to/3rKIdiN Sound Mixer: amzn.to/3C15Ubx Microphone: amzn.to/2VaCjvo Microphone Accessories: amzn.to/3v7A35Z INTERACTIVE MAP that shows you all of the places that I've made videos on: (Doesn't always work on mobile devices. Will always work on PC.) www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/edit?hl=en&mid=1Lhzf04ocimPu-ROkg4cfXEYEvKMNnlI5&ll=42.68506257358429%2C-84.48366841804642&z=9 SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTACT INFO: Email: ChrisHardenYT@Gmail.com On Twitter: twitter.com/Chris_Harden55 On Instagram: instagram.com/c_harden7/?... On Facebook: facebook.com/ChrisHardenYT/ DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you. As an Amazon Associate I do earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. As always, thank you for supporting my channel!

  • @ChrisHarden

    @ChrisHarden

    3 жыл бұрын

    I did at 4:40 just didn’t put that in the time stamps, my bad.

  • @rebelpearl

    @rebelpearl

    3 жыл бұрын

    Joe Publico A ‘normal’ school ment it was a university for training teachers. It’s an old term that goes back to Europe but I could not tell you how that word was chosen to identify a teachers college.

  • @igna83

    @igna83

    3 жыл бұрын

    Beer Nuts: 20:35

  • @holdenmarshall1708
    @holdenmarshall1708 Жыл бұрын

    I moved to Boston, MA for graduate school and I came across this video today because I miss my hometown, Blo-No. Thank you for this video, Chris. You brought back memories from the streets you drove on to even passing my old high school.

  • @rebelpearl
    @rebelpearl3 жыл бұрын

    ISU was originally called Illinois State Normal because, at the time, the word ‘normal’ in the name ment that the university was one that trained/educated people who planned on being teachers. The use of the word to designate a teachers college goes back to Europe where a number of universities still call themselves ‘normal’ schools. A couple of other notes: the first Stake’n’Shake burned down in the 1960’s. The building that was built as a replacement remained Stake’n’Shake until the 90’s. That building (with minor remodeling on the outside by Monical’s, a couple of remodels having been done by Stake’n’Shake when they owned it) is the one Monical’s Pizza now owns and operates. You mentioned State Farm being headquartered here but it also began here (if you mentioned that I missed it and sincerely apologize)

  • @ChrisHarden

    @ChrisHarden

    3 жыл бұрын

    rebelpearl In the case of Normal, Illinois and ISU... In 2020 Normal = Odd. Haha. Very interesting to know about the Steak n’ Shake. About State Farm, I’m not sure if I did mention that it had also begun in Bloomington. I should’ve drove past the HQ though for this video.

  • @rebelpearl

    @rebelpearl

    3 жыл бұрын

    Nostalgia Tours Oh, yeah using the word Normal now is really odd, no disagreement. And I think you did very well on your video. Unless someone can spend a lot of time in an area - doing tons of research, tracking down locations, etc - it’s really hard to get details if you don’t live there.

  • @ChrisHarden

    @ChrisHarden

    3 жыл бұрын

    And I love it when people understand that and bring key details that I might’ve missed in a non-bitter/non-angry way to the comment section! The comment section can greatly help people learn about a place if used the right way. You’re the best.

  • @chuckinhouston9952

    @chuckinhouston9952

    3 жыл бұрын

    Correct!

  • @DougVanDorn

    @DougVanDorn

    3 жыл бұрын

    I would just like to add that my two older brothers worked at that original Steak'n'Shake as teens. When it was time for me to go work at a fast food place, I had to be different, I worked at the Dog'n'Suds in Bloomington. But I was born at what was then called Brokaw Hospital, literally across Main Street from that original Steak'n'Shake. At least there are still a few Steak'n'Shakes left in these towns. I would always make certain I ate at Steak'nShake when I came to visit with my folks, and after my Dad passed, with my Mom. While I was born and raised in Normal, I left for college, then lived most of my adult life in the Chicago and then Minneapolis areas. My Mom passed about a year ago, and I was retired from my job at about the same time (long story), so, in my retirement, I've moved back here to Normal. Now I can have Steak'n'Shake any time, and Avanti's Italian food. I can visit my old homes, and I can visit my folks at the cemetery. I can think of lots worse ways to spend one's retirement. Call it closure, or coming full circle, whatever. It's satisfying to me.

  • @PMCraig
    @PMCraig3 жыл бұрын

    I moved to BN about 12 years ago from the Chicago area. It was a job transfer. I’m retired now. I love it here!

  • @JoBC88U
    @JoBC88U2 жыл бұрын

    Made a few turns that kept you from heading down Veterans Parkway (North in Normal to South in Bloomington) that would have shown State Farm Headquarters, major shopping and restaurant areas.

  • @jeffreymoogk4506
    @jeffreymoogk45063 жыл бұрын

    Left there in 1972 after high-school. GREAT place to grow up.

  • @tylerbuckley4661

    @tylerbuckley4661

    9 ай бұрын

    We moved in 78 ftom decatur to AZ hated the move from illinois

  • @smokeymtnman
    @smokeymtnman3 жыл бұрын

    I love the soothing music in the background! I lived in the area back in the 80's. So sad about the mall! I loved to hang out there! Miller Park was my best memory of Blooomington. I wish the park was featured in the video.

  • @alandralle3513
    @alandralle35132 жыл бұрын

    I currently live here. We have State Farm (17,000) employees, Country Company 10,000 employees, rivian close too 2k employees, Bridgestone Firestone tires as big companies. We just seen a boom in 2021. There is now no open apartments and a waiting list. There are also ISU, IWU, Heartland community college and Lincoln college (private).

  • @UrbanEconomist5
    @UrbanEconomist53 жыл бұрын

    Graduated from Illinois State Baby! Redbirds!

  • @timpekarek9159
    @timpekarek91593 жыл бұрын

    Around Funk's Grove, which is just southwest of Bloomington there is a really scenic area of wooded hils.

  • @Anarchist86ed

    @Anarchist86ed

    3 жыл бұрын

    Skipped Franklin Park. In a few weeks it'll be exploding with color.

  • @d3rpy800

    @d3rpy800

    2 жыл бұрын

    Bro when I was little I grew up going to funks grove

  • @nalla320
    @nalla320 Жыл бұрын

    Loved this video! I haven’t lived in B-N for years and this video sparked good memories. Thank you!

  • @edgarespinoza324
    @edgarespinoza3243 жыл бұрын

    This video made me remember the sweet moments I had in Bloomington Normal

  • @zen608
    @zen6083 жыл бұрын

    I used to live here as a kid. Was a beautiful area, and community was closely knit. Hi to anyone who used to live at Wingover Luxury Apartments right in front of the regional airport next to the Buffalo Wild Wings and Avanti restaurant!

  • @JohnADuerk
    @JohnADuerk2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this video. I attended ISU between 1994 and 1996. Like many, I have great memories of my time there. Normal has changed so much since then. My next trip to Illinois will include a visit.

  • @glennso47
    @glennso473 жыл бұрын

    Bloomington is as close to Normal as some people get. 😁

  • @zafnor

    @zafnor

    10 ай бұрын

    When I was in Florida in 2010, Key West Tourism advertisements said "Far From Normal"

  • @Zacharydderrick
    @Zacharydderrick3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video. Was born here and lived in Normal until I was 10. Haven't been back since late 80's. Nice to see some familiar places.

  • @bendrake2733
    @bendrake27333 жыл бұрын

    I currently live here in Bloomington normal. I noticed how you drove through the center of town, but skipped the east side, which is a lot nicer. Anyway, thanks for doin gothic vid, and many do a follow up later!

  • @bossladiee

    @bossladiee

    2 жыл бұрын

    Any thoughts on what happened to Jelani Day in Peru?

  • @ramonquintanilla3569
    @ramonquintanilla35693 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for these awesome videos. They are informative and entertaining and very well done. I am thinking about moving to beautiful and cool Illinois (I'm from fire-hot Texas), and your videos are helping me to look around the area almost in real time

  • @ChrisHarden

    @ChrisHarden

    3 жыл бұрын

    That’s awesome, I’m glad these videos are helpful!

  • @otnielcruzgodoy4277
    @otnielcruzgodoy42773 жыл бұрын

    I was there in 2014 and watching this video made me feel nostalgic.

  • @amyrinker139
    @amyrinker1393 жыл бұрын

    I loved the soothing music in this video! I lived in the area back in the 80's. I wish Miller Park was featured in this video. It was my favorite hang-out and memory!

  • @DougVanDorn

    @DougVanDorn

    Жыл бұрын

    I can remember, nearly 60 years ago, now, when Miller Park had an area that was built up into a small amusement park, complete with rides like a merry-go-round and such. With the Miller Park Zoo literally across a park path from the amusement park area, it was a really great place to spend a weekend day, back in the 60s. The zoo is still there, but the adjacent amusement park has long since been removed and that whole area -- from the old steam locomotive over to the zoo -- has simply been leveled out as additional parkland. It was a great place to go on the 4th of July, though, to watch fireworks shot off from the opposite side of the small lagoon.

  • @ml3609
    @ml36092 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!! I am moving there soon and I like this!!

  • @ml3609

    @ml3609

    2 жыл бұрын

    but if I drop a like after i drop a like it is an unlike so I just drop one time :)

  • @MCO18
    @MCO182 жыл бұрын

    I love it when I drive through Bloomington’s downtown area up Main/East St. (this video, starting 3:05 and ending 3:45) or down Center/Madison St. through all green lights

  • @andrewchecchi9353
    @andrewchecchi93533 жыл бұрын

    My sister works at the kohl’s that you drove by. I just think it’s so crazy to see other people so invested in our town

  • @sunnyb831
    @sunnyb8315 ай бұрын

    Spent 6 years over there - brings back so many beautiful memories.

  • @sparkleevenmore9638
    @sparkleevenmore96382 жыл бұрын

    Great video so far - one of the huge buildings in downtown is the old/original State Farm HQ. I’ve been with the company nearly 25 years and we celebrate 100 years in existence this year (2022).

  • @ChrisHarden

    @ChrisHarden

    2 жыл бұрын

    Nice! Is Aaron Rodgers or Chris Paul invited to the party?

  • @sparkleevenmore9638

    @sparkleevenmore9638

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ChrisHarden 🤣

  • @sparkleevenmore9638

    @sparkleevenmore9638

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ChrisHarden I’ve enjoyed several of your Illinois videos: Macomb, Rochelle, Genoa, Chicago area. Great tours.

  • @bradyhagen7789
    @bradyhagen77892 жыл бұрын

    I like how these videos just show normal America. He can't go on every street but he shows a good amount

  • @rachelwickart275
    @rachelwickart2753 жыл бұрын

    "Up ahead on the left, you'll be able to see the McLean County Courthouse..." It's now the McLean County Museum of History. Until 1988, it was used for administrative purposes, and was then converted into the history museum. A two-story, Federal style courthouse was built in 1836, and served members of the Eighth Judicial Circuit and attorney Abraham Lincoln. And for the last 25 years, it has hosted the "Voices from the Past: Evergreen Cemetery Discovery Walk", with local actors who perform sketches of past McLean County residents.

  • @wallyman292
    @wallyman2923 жыл бұрын

    What??? A trip to Bloomington/Normal and you totally skip Veteran's Parkway??? That's the "main" part of both towns these days.

  • @rutiliotorres9228
    @rutiliotorres92283 жыл бұрын

    Beer Nuts corporate office and store is also in Bloomington. You drove past it on Washington. Always wanted to check it out.

  • @coltonevans3054

    @coltonevans3054

    3 жыл бұрын

    And if I’m not mistaken that the apartment complex across the street has had a shooting happen there.

  • @cuhlayurr

    @cuhlayurr

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@coltonevans3054 years ago. Not in the last year. Lived at 822 for almost a year.

  • @aashishm100
    @aashishm1003 жыл бұрын

    nostalgia kickin in as a ISU student

  • @jamesgrannes1782
    @jamesgrannes17822 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the info.

  • @ambientnstuff5456
    @ambientnstuff54563 жыл бұрын

    I grew up here and was one of the people who moved away. Here are a facts about the area - 1.) The mall is not doing well as you claim, that mall has been losing money hand over fist for years and is on the brink of closure. I remember going to Eastland as a child and it was a bustling place rich with life and excitement, nowadays with covid-19 and the online era that mall sees maybe 1/50th of the business that it once had, the food court is essentially vacant now. I will bet that mall closes entirely in 1-2 years. 2.) You are right, the town does have a large hick population which is problematic as there is also a decent sized African Americans population who moved to the area from Chicago after the closure of Caprini Greens in the early 2000's, this caused the area to be somewhat of a melting pot for racial tensions. (Get along people! Skin color doesn't matter quit being fucking racist) 3.)Bloomington like many others towns has it's wealth gap. The west side of town is extremely poor, while the median average cost of a house is in the $100k's you can buy a house on the west side for $40-60k, the wealth gap in this town is very evident due to the fact that there are very few good places to work. 4.) If you do not work at State Farm, Country Companies, ISU or Wesleyan you might as well move as you are destined to be poor. 5.) The cops in Bloomington are extremely bored. They are on a high quota and pull people over constantly. I got pulled over more times in 6 months living in Bloomington than I did in 10 years living in another state. 6.) People in Bloomington LOVE FAST FOOD. This town has a staggering amount of restaurants for the population. I will never forget how Normal had the 2 closest Mcdonald's in the world. Back in 2005-2008 a Mcdonald's was built in the parking lot of Wal-Mart while Wal-Mart had it's own Mcdonald's. (YIKES). (Yes, Technically a Mcdonald's was in the parking lot of a Mcdonald's) Also - the town lobbied for years to get a Krispy Kreme, when one was finally built a small parade and extravagant pyrotechnics display marked the opening of the store. I remember seeing a picture of hundreds of people in line, one lady was crying in happiness. (FAIL)

  • @SKYBLUEPINATA

    @SKYBLUEPINATA

    3 жыл бұрын

    The hick population claim is completely false, compare this to other areas such as fairbury and it is awful. Mostly everyone here is friendly, and unfriendly people are frowned upon.

  • @SKYBLUEPINATA

    @SKYBLUEPINATA

    3 жыл бұрын

    It as well seems like a problem with your own driving ability to be pulled over that much, not the cops.

  • @dvferyance

    @dvferyance

    3 жыл бұрын

    The malls in Champaign and Peoria are still doing well. Not sure about the one in Springfield. It is kind of surprising though because I would think Bloomington Normal would have enough population to support a major mall.

  • @kpk33x

    @kpk33x

    3 жыл бұрын

    He's right about the mall. I worked in Bloomington-Normal 2018-20, and the mall was a 4 out of 10 prior to the pandemic. There were a lot of big box stores in the area doing well (probably conributing to the decline of the mall, which needs reno), and I actually really liked the Home Depot just off 55 north of town...clean, very friendly staff. Even though I didn't live there I would get a lot of stuff there

  • @Pbirv

    @Pbirv

    3 жыл бұрын

    Normal once had 3 Garcia's Pizza real close to each other. One on Fell and Beaufort, one on Dale and Kingsley, and one in Bone Student Center by McDonald's. I really miss their slices- wish they'd come out to Phoenix.

  • @zafnor
    @zafnor10 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the video. I'm really enjoying your series! Being a twenty plus years resident i have to say that you missed the mark on this one, though. Points worth seeing here is our historic architecture; White Place, Vrooman Mansion, Ewing Manor, The Camel Back Bridge, and David Davis Mansion just to name a few. We have Central Illinois Regional Airport which serves as an alternative to the major airports of Chicago and Indianapolis. You came within blocks of State Farm's Corporate Headquarters' Tower and you missed a trip down Veterans Parkway showing one of the biggest collections of chain restaurants in one place. the twin cities spends more money per capita on restaurants than elsewhere in the state of Illinois. Despite missing all of that sometimes I feel like I've taken a little vacation when I watch your videos. Keep up the good work!

  • @ThatZebruhGuy
    @ThatZebruhGuy2 жыл бұрын

    You should do Clinton, IL, small town, with a few factories and a power plant. So weird seeing all these roads in BloNo in a video. Drove them for years and still randomly do.

  • @owannelson4730
    @owannelson47303 жыл бұрын

    I suggest showing more into the east side of town because it’s nicer there.

  • @talon6377

    @talon6377

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yeah maybe a part 2 for the east side

  • @dillonwheeler7484
    @dillonwheeler74843 жыл бұрын

    20 seconds into the video I can see my wife pulling out of the caseys lol

  • @AaronPly7
    @AaronPly73 жыл бұрын

    "Normal. What a great name for a city." 🤣

  • @talon6377

    @talon6377

    3 жыл бұрын

    Even though I grew up there I have to agree

  • @owenrozanski7830

    @owenrozanski7830

    3 жыл бұрын

    We are anything but "Normal" 😂

  • @joejonas3684

    @joejonas3684

    3 жыл бұрын

    I always thought the same thing but I found out the reason it’s called that. It actually has to do with Illinois State University being a teaching school which originally was called Illinois State Normal University, which a “normal university” is a school for teaching majors. Originally Normal was called North Bloomington. I only found this out cause I went to school there lol

  • @doolittlegeorge

    @doolittlegeorge

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@owenrozanski7830 maybe given the Rivian boom there could be a "paranormal" or an "extra-normal" now!

  • @d3rpy800

    @d3rpy800

    2 жыл бұрын

    My city’s name is normal, my city is the definition of a basic, NORMAL CITY. COINCIDENCE? I THINK NOT

  • @trscott5
    @trscott53 жыл бұрын

    Monicals Pizza @4:51 on the left immediately after Casey’s is THE ORIGINAL Steak N Shake building, built in 1934. Rare known fact

  • @cpottervlog8122
    @cpottervlog81223 жыл бұрын

    McLean is pronounced like McLain

  • @cpottervlog8122

    @cpottervlog8122

    3 жыл бұрын

    You should have seen College Hills mall back in the day. Light years better than Eastland

  • @UneekSaltyAF

    @UneekSaltyAF

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@cpottervlog8122 Regarding College Hills Mall, Isn't that where Target, Starbucks, Von Maur, etc are located now?

  • @cpottervlog8122

    @cpottervlog8122

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@UneekSaltyAF target and Von Maur have been there for many years. The Starbucks in target is new

  • @IAmTheEggMan111

    @IAmTheEggMan111

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@cpottervlog8122 - Meh. College Hills was very heavy on shoe stores.

  • @cpottervlog8122

    @cpottervlog8122

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@IAmTheEggMan111 true

  • @teamskrub2292
    @teamskrub22922 жыл бұрын

    It’s already been talked about but Rivian moving in where Mitsubishi left should really put BloNo on the map if they take off. Excited to see how that all plays out

  • @danielgrosvenor9948

    @danielgrosvenor9948

    Жыл бұрын

    I got robbed earlier today on the west side and for some reason this was reccomended do I clicked it and “desirable place to live” says the one without a glock 26 in his face lol

  • @yovods

    @yovods

    Жыл бұрын

    @@danielgrosvenor9948 pro tip, don't live on the west side lmao

  • @johannaweichsel3602

    @johannaweichsel3602

    Жыл бұрын

    It's cool to see the Rivian trucks around town!

  • @Auttumn13
    @Auttumn133 жыл бұрын

    You should have shown much more of the east side. Also, the building that was the 1st Steak n Shake is still there, but it is Monical's pizza now.

  • @chuckinhouston9952
    @chuckinhouston99523 жыл бұрын

    Sure looks better than the other crappy Illinois towns.

  • @Lancer971

    @Lancer971

    2 жыл бұрын

    Which crappy towns are you talking about?

  • @joanmurphy9649
    @joanmurphy96493 жыл бұрын

    Normal schools were established to train elementary school teachers. I graduated from ISU in 1978.

  • @joejonas3684
    @joejonas36843 жыл бұрын

    8:22 ah yes Vernon Stables, I had a buddy that lived over there in college. Used to throw awesome parties

  • @johannaweichsel3602

    @johannaweichsel3602

    Жыл бұрын

    I liked the apartments, new and pretty affordable for the good location

  • @d3rpy800
    @d3rpy8002 жыл бұрын

    You should make another video where you go through the more northern and eastern areas of Bloomington and normal, because the whole video was the west and a bit of the north. Really the only north part though was when you went by my neighborhood

  • @user-cl9sm7ft2e
    @user-cl9sm7ft2e Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this video. I even see my bicycle!

  • @tjmaierhofer6379
    @tjmaierhofer63793 жыл бұрын

    Are you from around here? 30 miles north of here is Pontiac where I grew up you do a lot of Illinois I love it haha. Was just in Bloomington yesterday at the Hyvee and Binnys

  • @ChrisHarden

    @ChrisHarden

    3 жыл бұрын

    Nope not from Illinois. Many of the videos you see happen to be my first time in those cities, and I just finished editing my Pontiac video 👀👀

  • @tjmaierhofer6379

    @tjmaierhofer6379

    3 жыл бұрын

    Nostalgia Tours hope you drive by my house 😂

  • @deesfukinuts2412
    @deesfukinuts24123 жыл бұрын

    5:17 the dark blue building on the left is called The Flats. A couple years ago a kid tried jumping 1 roof to another and welll...yeah

  • @johannaweichsel3602

    @johannaweichsel3602

    Жыл бұрын

    Oh shit, I still go to the restaurants there

  • @riggins25
    @riggins253 жыл бұрын

    State Farm insurance is headquarters in Bloomington and everything is on east of town. My mom and brother and his family live there I used to know like back of my hand

  • @TacosYBurritos8P
    @TacosYBurritos8P Жыл бұрын

    Why shove biased conservative views into a video about two middle of nowhere towns?

  • @amyrinker139
    @amyrinker1393 жыл бұрын

    What source did this great music come from? I love it!

  • @ChrisHarden

    @ChrisHarden

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's a site that many KZreadrs go to for good music to use legally. Musicbed.com

  • @glennso47
    @glennso473 жыл бұрын

    Have you ever done a video on Carroll County Illinois?

  • @igna83
    @igna833 жыл бұрын

    Bloomington also has many historical areas of interest, including one of the most amazing cemeteries in downstate Illinois: Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. Former U.S. Vice President, Adlai Stevenson I, is buried there, as is his son, Adlai Stevenson II, who was the 31st governor of Illinois and US Ambassador to the UN. US Supreme Court Justice, David Davis, who was appointed by President Abraham Lincoln is also buried at Evergreen, and the David Davis Mansion & grounds are still maintained and offer tours. Former Illinois Governor George Fifer is buried in Park Hill Cemetery, as is George J. Mercherle, founder of State Farm. Besides Laurie Metcalf, several other celebrities attended Illinois State University: Sean Hayes, Jane Lynch, John Malkovich, Gary Sinise, Pokey Lafarge and of course, McLean Stevenson was born and raised here - he is the great nephew of former U.S. Vice President, Adlai Stevenson I...

  • @igna83

    @igna83

    3 жыл бұрын

    Also, at around 25:00 (at the stoplight) you were directly across from Ewing Mansion, which hosts one of the best Shakespearean festivals in the Midwest + this home has it's own rich family history. Bloomington-Normal also has an amazing biking/running/walking system called Constitution Trail that is pretty amazing, too - you were actually parallel to it for a bit when you turned from Towanda onto Vernon (26:00)...it was on your right for a bit.

  • @patrick383ironworker

    @patrick383ironworker

    Жыл бұрын

    And Abe Lincoln's old law office is still there

  • @patrick383ironworker

    @patrick383ironworker

    Жыл бұрын

    @@igna83 ewing manor, owned by ISU

  • @igna83

    @igna83

    Жыл бұрын

    @@patrick383ironworker - I'm aware...I'm employed by Illinois State.

  • @alexandergermanis679
    @alexandergermanis6792 жыл бұрын

    Ooh, so close. You came within a couple blocks of my old house about four or five times.

  • @tylerbuckley4661
    @tylerbuckley46617 ай бұрын

    Been to bloomington when i was a child in the seventies from Decatur

  • @JoBC88U
    @JoBC88U2 жыл бұрын

    IL State Alum: Actor/Comedian Craig Robinson of "The Office" fame

  • @MrMONEYMAN773
    @MrMONEYMAN7733 жыл бұрын

    Good ol market street

  • @mikeshumaker
    @mikeshumaker2 жыл бұрын

    The main thing that would draw me to these twin cities is the Historic Route 66, especially Ryburn Place in Normal.

  • @donnawagner1248
    @donnawagner12489 ай бұрын

    You didn't drive down the Main Street in Bloomington Normal. Veterans Parkway or Hershey Ave? We didn't see any of the nicer East side of the area at all. State Farm Headquarters?? Just curious why not?

  • @ChrisHarden

    @ChrisHarden

    9 ай бұрын

    Because I was a rook when I made this video. I’m better at route planning today and finding out important places to see then I was 3 years ago. Simple as that.

  • @Anarchist86ed
    @Anarchist86ed3 жыл бұрын

    3:40 That church is literally a minute away from me. Then you head down the same road I take every Friday for grocery shopping. 5:18 that bike at McDonald's has been abandoned for 2 years. 🤣

  • @ChrisHarden

    @ChrisHarden

    3 жыл бұрын

    An abandoned bicycle sittin’ on the rack for 2 years eh? Property crime must not be too bad then haha.

  • @Anarchist86ed

    @Anarchist86ed

    3 жыл бұрын

    ​@@ChrisHarden Nah, they're just too lazy to remove it. The McDonald's, last time I was there, had the laziest and dumbest people working there. 🙄

  • @ChrisHarden

    @ChrisHarden

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hmm. Sounds like every other McDonalds

  • @Anarchist86ed

    @Anarchist86ed

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@ChrisHarden Or the burger king near lakewood plaza.

  • @cindycedeno2805
    @cindycedeno28052 жыл бұрын

    I was right on west side,of jackson street

  • @57JackCaptainSparrow
    @57JackCaptainSparrow3 жыл бұрын

    Moved away from Normal to California 40 years ago and have only returned 2 or 3 times since.... Great video, nice to see some of the town I grew up in. I was ahead of my time, moving away in 1980, guess the trend has taken hold. As grey and gloomy as the town looks in the video, it's even much worse in winter, which are brutally cold and snowy. I sometimes wonder how things would have been had I stayed in Illinois, thanks to your video, I see I made a good choice leaving. Not that California, where I am now, is any garden spot anymore. Tens of thousands are leave California now also. As a fellow YT'er, I find it curious to some extent you would take the trouble to do all these videos you post on your channel.... you do a really good job with narration, camera work, etc. but only a few hundred views per video is not very cost effective. But in any case, I'm glad you took the effort, thanks!

  • @ChrisHarden

    @ChrisHarden

    3 жыл бұрын

    ... If you build it they will come.

  • @Kelvari7882

    @Kelvari7882

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm another Normalite that followed your footsteps, then, only I haven't found the time to go back yet. I wonder what's going to happen in the next 20 - 40 years there.

  • @jonathonmichaels2101

    @jonathonmichaels2101

    2 жыл бұрын

    Moving to California I get, but when compared to other areas of the country, East of say Colorado, Bloomington's winters are very temperate. I mean yeah it gets cold and it snows, but the amount of snow is usually very manageable, and same with the cold.

  • @57JackCaptainSparrow

    @57JackCaptainSparrow

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@jonathonmichaels2101 I guess I've developed a "You don't need to shovel sunshine" mentality. The last three years I spent in Illinois the winters were absolutely brutal. It helped me make my move.

  • @deesfukinuts2412
    @deesfukinuts24123 жыл бұрын

    23:10 our mall closed all good and great stores down

  • @jeffscotland4912

    @jeffscotland4912

    2 жыл бұрын

    Right..I saw that..so where do they expect people to shop??..Perioa or Springfield?

  • @deesfukinuts2412

    @deesfukinuts2412

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@jeffscotland4912 pretty much, uptown normal is fun tho

  • @owenrozanski7830
    @owenrozanski78302 жыл бұрын

    The Original Steak n Shake building is still there it wasn't torn down. Monicals took it over and renovated it.

  • @speedlearner
    @speedlearner Жыл бұрын

    Good evening. Did you see the 6 foot tall sign on the left side of this video? It appears at the 3:43 mark of the video. It has two large blue metal poles. I know a neat story about this sign. If you want to hear my story, feel free to contact me.

  • @glennso47
    @glennso473 жыл бұрын

    Mitsubishi Motors had an automobile assembly plant there until a few years ago.

  • @JoBC88U
    @JoBC88U2 жыл бұрын

    State Farm, Country Companies and Auto Manufacture are a major reason for the median household income.

  • @tylerbuckley4661
    @tylerbuckley46619 ай бұрын

    April 4th my mom brother and my self were heading to Bloomington when the tornado outbreak happened my dad at the time worked at Transamerica insurance company in downtown decatur he had a business trip in Bloomington we only made it as far as Parsons Elementary school before seing that tornado cut close to my house on Hail dr. On Shadowlane it jumped over sun n fun snd touched down close to MacArthur dr surprisingly only two were killed in that tornado one at the fairground and a trailer park next to the fairgrounds

  • @stevencipriano3962
    @stevencipriano39629 ай бұрын

    Taxes and insurance are higher in FL than in Florida. Bloomington is hours from Chicago BTW More people have left Florida in 2022 than people who left CA or NY...

  • @kyecomincioli330
    @kyecomincioli3302 жыл бұрын

    Didn't even show Veterans, or places like Fox Creek Road, ISU Golf Course, Market Street.

  • @untitledbxm1198
    @untitledbxm11983 жыл бұрын

    Just wanted to see what ya had to say about my home town of the twin shittys

  • @joejonas3684
    @joejonas36843 жыл бұрын

    A “normal school” means it’s a school for teaching majors. Only found that out cause I went there for college

  • @rondaengle5690
    @rondaengle56903 жыл бұрын

    Teacher colleges were called "Normal" schools. I went to a former Normal school, Southeast Mo State.

  • @thesocialistlion2904
    @thesocialistlion29043 жыл бұрын

    The Tour ended very close to my house

  • @tylerbuckley4661
    @tylerbuckley46619 ай бұрын

    God do i miss real weather snow real thunderstorms here in Las Vegas where i live now the rain is less than a drizzle and last about 1/2 minute sometimes it last all day like when california got hit with that tropical storm two weeks ago

  • @MsAmelia65
    @MsAmelia653 жыл бұрын

    That was kind of a weird tour. I do like a lot of your videos though!

  • @tylerbuckley4661
    @tylerbuckley46619 ай бұрын

    One thing i really miss is the wild boisonberries sorry if i butchered the spelling lol barely awake

  • @dlpmxpro9243
    @dlpmxpro92433 жыл бұрын

    Steak-n-shake is still standing it's the monicals building

  • @jaredbeard2272

    @jaredbeard2272

    3 жыл бұрын

    You are correct. It was changed to a Monical's in 1995 or 1996. I used to enjoy many a lime freeze (an item no longer on Steak & Shake menus) when I went to college nearby.

  • @talon6377
    @talon63773 жыл бұрын

    Please show east side

  • @geoffery53
    @geoffery533 жыл бұрын

    1st steak n shake building is still there its Monicals pizza now.

  • @riggins25
    @riggins253 жыл бұрын

    Isu and iwu is only colleges in USA on same street

  • @ZUESONTO
    @ZUESONTO2 жыл бұрын

    no veterans pkwy??

  • @kenp6200
    @kenp6200 Жыл бұрын

    I actually did move to Bloomington so I could get closer to normal.

  • @DougVanDorn

    @DougVanDorn

    Жыл бұрын

    I was born and raised in Normal, and when I left town to go to college (since going to ISU would mean living way too close to my folks for the kind of college experiences I was seeking, lol), I just told everyone that I started out Normal, but have been moving farther and farther away from Normal ever since. But, since I moved back here after I retired, I guess I can finally say that I'm back to Normal. 🙂

  • @garywhite3264
    @garywhite32643 жыл бұрын

    Just a small request. My eyes always perk up when you cruise through older neighborhoods with older homes having interesting architectural details, especially when they're well maintained and not rotting down. Please try to single out these areas and s l o w d o w n just a little. Thanks.

  • @LittleDalton13
    @LittleDalton132 жыл бұрын

    I’ve been interviewed by Rivian, and I have a young family to take care of. Would this be an ideal area to raise a family?? How are the schools and crime rate?

  • @joejonas3684

    @joejonas3684

    2 жыл бұрын

    I lived in Normal for a couple of years when I went to ISU. The schools actually in the area are known for being really good. Especially University High School. It’s a very education based town in general because of the higher education there. The crime isn’t horrible, but the two areas I would definitely stay out of are the far north side of Normal near Raab Road, and the West side of Bloomington by Market Street as both those areas deal with shootings. A lot of people in those areas are transplants from Cabrini Green Housing Projects in Chicago when they were torn down and had nowhere to go, some came to those parts of Bloomington-Normal. Most of the Bloomington-Normal area outside of those areas though is safe

  • @johannaweichsel3602

    @johannaweichsel3602

    Жыл бұрын

    There's a problem with housing but Rivian is supposed to be a good place to work.

  • @jamesbradon1914
    @jamesbradon19142 жыл бұрын

    Go to north lee west market street

  • @ChicagoRailfan773
    @ChicagoRailfan773 Жыл бұрын

    Can you get around without a car in certain parts?

  • @zafnor

    @zafnor

    10 ай бұрын

    There is a very good bus system here. It takes you within walking distance of nearly all shopping and medical you may need as long as you live near the towns centers. The outlying newer housing subdivisions are unfortunately left out. It is funded mostly by State Farm, ISU and the state, so fares are reasonable.

  • @ChicagoRailfan773

    @ChicagoRailfan773

    10 ай бұрын

    @@zafnor Thank you 😊

  • @tylerbuckley4661
    @tylerbuckley46619 ай бұрын

    My dad went to high school wuth Gus Belts daughter in decatur

  • @danielsentertainmentproduc1527
    @danielsentertainmentproduc15273 жыл бұрын

    Cherryville mall it’s in Rockford you been there

  • @ChrisHarden

    @ChrisHarden

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hmmm I don’t think I drove to there when I was in Rockford.

  • @glennso47

    @glennso47

    3 жыл бұрын

    It’s actually in Cherry Valley, Illinois.

  • @jake78441
    @jake784413 жыл бұрын

    Bruh what they tore down the first STEAK N SHAKE im upset they did that wonder when they did that? Im from Peoria Il and saw kzread.info/dash/bejne/fIaYpdarqcTWl8o.html and had no clue steak n shake started in Bloomington Illinois

  • @tylerbuckley4661

    @tylerbuckley4661

    9 ай бұрын

    It was Normal where steak n shake was

  • @TA42024
    @TA42024 Жыл бұрын

    You drove past my neigborhood

  • @patrick383ironworker
    @patrick383ironworker Жыл бұрын

    CJS 08, go Redbirds!

  • @jacobcaputo1577
    @jacobcaputo15773 жыл бұрын

    Do lasalle peru!

  • @myfriendtylercar6946
    @myfriendtylercar69462 жыл бұрын

    5:17 is me and my dad going to McDonald’s in black truck

  • @donthespotter6550
    @donthespotter6550 Жыл бұрын

    Didn't have any big expectations for Normal Illinois

  • @marianokowerko8661
    @marianokowerko86612 жыл бұрын

    Missed the nicer East areas of both cities.. maybe next time.

  • @tylerbuckley4661
    @tylerbuckley46619 ай бұрын

    You forgot Ronald Regan he is a graduate from Illinois state

  • @kimberlyjordine8115

    @kimberlyjordine8115

    7 ай бұрын

    Eureka College! 👍

  • @stevebrown8368
    @stevebrown83682 жыл бұрын

    Normal means teacher's college

  • @michaellee3680
    @michaellee36803 жыл бұрын

    You just reminded me of how BORING B/N is and I will never move back. Great video tho.

  • @ChrisHarden

    @ChrisHarden

    3 жыл бұрын

    Haha.

  • @vilstef6988
    @vilstef6988 Жыл бұрын

    A normal school is a teacher's college.