OK- Now I’m ready. I have tourist guides in hand – well, at least what I was able to download from the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. I must say, I am disappointed to find such a brief listing. But, then, Decatur is not exactly a tourist “destination”, no matter how hard they try. I will still try to find a print version of the tourist guide – hopefully there will be more sites listed there. (I should have thought of this a couple of weeks ago when the Farm Progress Show was here…That was a Sight!)

I plan to visit every site on these lists, not in any particular order, as time and my fancy direct me. I checked with my family to be sure I wouldn’t embarrass them with this project. I may enlist assistance from friends or family from time to time to go with me and enter “guest commentary”.
This should be FUN! Off we go…1st stop:

The Transfer House

Located in Central Park in downtown Decatur.

I decided to start here, because I love the Transfer House because it is unique, and, for me, it is the symbol for Decatur. And I think it is just fine where it is in Central Park. (There has been talk for years about moving it back to its original location at the “4 Corners” of N/S and E/W Main Streets.) There’s really nothing to ­do here in Central Park, but the park itself is a refreshing green space with a cool fountain smack in the middle of downtown.

There is a Farmer’s Market here in Central Park on Saturdays in the summer. I think the Transfer House was recently refurbished, painted, etc. It used to be the place where all the buses and streetcars met, hence the name, but that was mid-20th century and before. I do remember it being the home of the Visitor’s Bureau for a while, but it’s not really very big inside. Outside, though, are concrete benches all around it. In the winter, thousands of tiny white lights are strung all over the Transfer House and the trees in the park to create a fairyland effect. It is really magical. I’ll have to come back at Christmas and take another picture for you to see. Click the link if you are interested in reading more history about the Transfer House: http://www.cs.illinois.edu/homes/friedman/decatur/Decatur.htm

Till next time ~ Ann

Welcome to See the Sights of Decatur IL

SEE THE SIGHTS OF DECATUR!


My mission: to visit all the “tourist” sites in Decatur, IL, my hometown, and blog about what I find there. Why? Because I am recently retired and I have lots of free time…I need a project! Because I have not visited all the “sites” in my hometown…because I love local history and I love being a tourist. And, it sounds like fun….


How I plan to accomplish this: I will seek out tourist guides from the local Chamber of Commerce, Decatur IL websites and other sources. I will visit them all, even if I have visited them before, and blog about what I find. I am fortunate to have been able to travel fairly widely and live in different areas around the United States, some of which are definately destination spots. I don’t claim to have any great insights; I just plan to write about my experiences as a tourist in my hometown.


Will anyone read my blog? Will anyone care? Who knows. Will I care if no one reads it? Doubtful, since I'm just doing it for fun. Right now that doesn’t matter. This idea came to me one night as I was washing the dishes after dinner. I had watched Julie & Julia a couple of weeks ago...that must be where the seeds of the idea took root, 'cause it just popped into my head. Seemed like a good idea at the time…. was that what Julie said???



Here Goes!