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

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  • Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
  • 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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КОМЕНТАРІ • 231

  • @ChrisHarden
    @ChrisHarden  4 роки тому +3

    EVERYTHING THAT I USE IN THE FIELD:
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    • @ChrisHarden
      @ChrisHarden  4 роки тому +1

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

    • @rebelpearl
      @rebelpearl 4 роки тому +1

      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 роки тому

      Beer Nuts: 20:35

  • @rebelpearl
    @rebelpearl 4 роки тому +50

    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  4 роки тому +4

      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 4 роки тому +4

      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  4 роки тому +6

      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 роки тому

      Correct!

    • @DougVanDorn
      @DougVanDorn 3 роки тому +1

      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.

  • @JoBC88U
    @JoBC88U 2 роки тому +11

    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.

  • @glennso47
    @glennso47 3 роки тому +15

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

    • @zafnor
      @zafnor Рік тому +1

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

  • @bendrake2733
    @bendrake2733 4 роки тому +26

    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 3 роки тому +1

      Any thoughts on what happened to Jelani Day in Peru?

  • @cpottervlog8122
    @cpottervlog8122 3 роки тому +16

    McLean is pronounced like McLain

    • @cpottervlog8122
      @cpottervlog8122 3 роки тому +1

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

    • @UneekSaltyAF
      @UneekSaltyAF 3 роки тому +2

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

    • @cpottervlog8122
      @cpottervlog8122 3 роки тому

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

    • @IAmTheEggMan111
      @IAmTheEggMan111 3 роки тому +1

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

    • @cpottervlog8122
      @cpottervlog8122 3 роки тому

      @@IAmTheEggMan111 true

  • @owannelson4730
    @owannelson4730 4 роки тому +21

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

    • @talon6377
      @talon6377 3 роки тому +1

      Yeah maybe a part 2 for the east side

  • @wallyman292
    @wallyman292 3 роки тому +8

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

  • @timpekarek9159
    @timpekarek9159 4 роки тому +24

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

    • @Anarchist86ed
      @Anarchist86ed 4 роки тому +3

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

    • @d3rpy800
      @d3rpy800 3 роки тому +1

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

  • @holdenmarshall1708
    @holdenmarshall1708 Рік тому +9

    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.

  • @chuckinhouston9952
    @chuckinhouston9952 3 роки тому +18

    Sure looks better than the other crappy Illinois towns.

  • @UrbanEconomist5
    @UrbanEconomist5 3 роки тому +10

    Graduated from Illinois State Baby! Redbirds!

  • @TacosYBurritos8P
    @TacosYBurritos8P Рік тому +6

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

  • @alandralle3513
    @alandralle3513 2 роки тому +7

    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).

  • @PMCraig
    @PMCraig 3 роки тому +10

    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!

  • @ambientnstuff5456
    @ambientnstuff5456 4 роки тому +34

    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 роки тому +6

      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 роки тому +7

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

    • @dvferyance
      @dvferyance 3 роки тому +2

      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 роки тому +1

      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 роки тому

      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.

  • @dillonwheeler7484
    @dillonwheeler7484 3 роки тому +5

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

  • @AaronPly7
    @AaronPly7 4 роки тому +16

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

    • @talon6377
      @talon6377 3 роки тому +2

      Even though I grew up there I have to agree

    • @owenrozanski7830
      @owenrozanski7830 3 роки тому +2

      We are anything but "Normal" 😂

    • @joejonas3684
      @joejonas3684 3 роки тому +2

      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 роки тому

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

    • @d3rpy800
      @d3rpy800 3 роки тому

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

  • @smokeymtnman
    @smokeymtnman 3 роки тому +12

    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.

  • @rutiliotorres9228
    @rutiliotorres9228 4 роки тому +12

    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 роки тому

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

    • @cuhlayurr
      @cuhlayurr 3 роки тому

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

  • @Auttumn13
    @Auttumn13 3 роки тому +8

    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.

  • @zen608
    @zen608 3 роки тому +6

    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!

  • @teamskrub2292
    @teamskrub2292 3 роки тому +8

    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 2 роки тому

      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 2 роки тому

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

    • @johannaweichsel3602
      @johannaweichsel3602 2 роки тому

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

  • @rachelwickart275
    @rachelwickart275 3 роки тому +5

    "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.

  • @ml3609
    @ml3609 2 роки тому +3

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

    • @ml3609
      @ml3609 2 роки тому

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

  • @stevencipriano3962
    @stevencipriano3962 Рік тому +1

    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...

  • @sparkleevenmore9638
    @sparkleevenmore9638 2 роки тому +7

    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 роки тому +1

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

    • @sparkleevenmore9638
      @sparkleevenmore9638 2 роки тому

      @@ChrisHarden 🤣

    • @sparkleevenmore9638
      @sparkleevenmore9638 2 роки тому +1

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

  • @tylerbuckley4661
    @tylerbuckley4661 Рік тому +1

    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

  • @jeffreymoogk4506
    @jeffreymoogk4506 3 роки тому +5

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

    • @tylerbuckley4661
      @tylerbuckley4661 Рік тому

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

  • @untitledbxm1198
    @untitledbxm1198 3 роки тому +3

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

  • @kyecomincioli330
    @kyecomincioli330 3 роки тому +2

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

  • @edgarespinoza324
    @edgarespinoza324 3 роки тому +4

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

  • @andrewchecchi9353
    @andrewchecchi9353 3 роки тому +4

    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

  • @igna83
    @igna83 3 роки тому +6

    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 роки тому +1

      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 Рік тому

      And Abe Lincoln's old law office is still there

    • @patrick383ironworker
      @patrick383ironworker Рік тому

      @@igna83 ewing manor, owned by ISU

    • @igna83
      @igna83 Рік тому

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

  • @riggins25
    @riggins25 3 роки тому +3

    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

  • @amyrinker139
    @amyrinker139 3 роки тому +5

    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 Рік тому +1

      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.

  • @BH-br4ee
    @BH-br4ee Рік тому +1

    Is this a Republican video or something?

  • @dlpmxpro9243
    @dlpmxpro9243 3 роки тому +4

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

    • @jaredbeard2272
      @jaredbeard2272 3 роки тому

      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.

  • @joanmurphy9649
    @joanmurphy9649 3 роки тому +3

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

  • @moudywaters
    @moudywaters 2 дні тому

    Nearly 50 minutes of driving through Bloomington/Normal and not once did you drive on Veteran's Parkway? It's One of their major streets.

  • @JoBC88U
    @JoBC88U 2 роки тому +1

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

  • @zafnor
    @zafnor Рік тому +1

    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!

  • @Zacharydderrick
    @Zacharydderrick 3 роки тому +3

    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.

  • @cindycedeno2805
    @cindycedeno2805 2 роки тому +1

    I was right on west side,of jackson street

  • @garywhite3264
    @garywhite3264 3 роки тому +2

    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.

  • @trscott5
    @trscott5 3 роки тому +3

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

    • @steve-zx5jb
      @steve-zx5jb 2 місяці тому

      Original site, not the building.

  • @riggins25
    @riggins25 3 роки тому +2

    Isu and iwu is only colleges in USA on same street

  • @jake78441
    @jake78441 4 роки тому +2

    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 ua-cam.com/video/JRdCtryapgg/v-deo.html and had no clue steak n shake started in Bloomington Illinois

  • @aashishm100
    @aashishm100 3 роки тому +3

    nostalgia kickin in as a ISU student

  • @ThatZebruhGuy
    @ThatZebruhGuy 2 роки тому +1

    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.

  • @57JackCaptainSparrow
    @57JackCaptainSparrow 4 роки тому +8

    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  4 роки тому +2

      ... If you build it they will come.

    • @Kelvari7882
      @Kelvari7882 3 роки тому +1

      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 роки тому +1

      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 роки тому

      @@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.

  • @ramonquintanilla3569
    @ramonquintanilla3569 3 роки тому +3

    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 роки тому

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

  • @andreaingersolltotte4676
    @andreaingersolltotte4676 17 днів тому

    Also, many people have at least one secondary degree, and are far from being “red necks.”

  • @fxdpntc
    @fxdpntc Місяць тому

    You should have mentioned Connie Link Amphitheater and Constitution Trail. When you went by.
    ETA. Have to say. Veterans Parkway was a huge miss.

  • @JohnADuerk
    @JohnADuerk 3 роки тому +2

    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.

  • @MrMONEYMAN773
    @MrMONEYMAN773 3 роки тому +2

    Good ol market street

  • @bradyhagen7789
    @bradyhagen7789 2 роки тому +2

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

  • @MCO18
    @MCO18 2 роки тому +1

    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

  • @mikeshumaker
    @mikeshumaker 3 роки тому +1

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

  • @skatee99
    @skatee99 Рік тому

    As a recent, degreed professional who recently relocated to Bloomington due to a great, low price on a home, I, in the past 6 months of living here, have "seen behind the curtain" and, it's not pretty. I will be posting/adding my own UA-cam video on life here, in Bloomington, totally contradictionaty to this boring, hypnotic sound tracked video. I will show actual current situations within this city.
    If thinking of moving to this area of Illinois, the people down this way are actually much more friendly than in say greater Chicago Cook county. Yet, Normal is a much better choice to live and work in but, you do not want to live here in Bloomington proper - Expect homeless, beer can's in public parkways, severely deteriorating old homes and, a city which cares not AT ALL for enforcing cleanliness or building codes for decrepit houses, open garbage on property of dregs of society. You have been warned.

  • @tjmaierhofer6379
    @tjmaierhofer6379 4 роки тому +3

    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  4 роки тому

      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 4 роки тому

      Nostalgia Tours hope you drive by my house 😂

  • @otnielcruzgodoy4277
    @otnielcruzgodoy4277 3 роки тому +2

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

  • @joejonas3684
    @joejonas3684 3 роки тому +1

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

  • @tylerbuckley4661
    @tylerbuckley4661 Рік тому

    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

  • @InTheCarWithKamio11
    @InTheCarWithKamio11 9 місяців тому

    Why does the black population from Bloomington act so weird? They act like they are in Get Out

  • @tylerbuckley4661
    @tylerbuckley4661 Рік тому

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

  • @ZUESONTO
    @ZUESONTO 3 роки тому +1

    no veterans pkwy??

  • @andreaingersolltotte4676
    @andreaingersolltotte4676 17 днів тому

    Bro missed out on half of the town!😂

  • @tylerbuckley4661
    @tylerbuckley4661 11 місяців тому

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

  • @rickgarrett2924
    @rickgarrett2924 Рік тому

    I kind of resent the use of the term "redneck" in conjunction with farms.

  • @tylerbuckley4661
    @tylerbuckley4661 Рік тому

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

  • @d3rpy800
    @d3rpy800 3 роки тому +1

    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

  • @nalla320
    @nalla320 Рік тому +1

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

  • @Andman8210
    @Andman8210 4 місяці тому

    It’s a barebones city, business is drying up

  • @ajax7ox729
    @ajax7ox729 Рік тому +1

    Get a job

  • @donnawagner1248
    @donnawagner1248 Рік тому

    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  Рік тому

      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
    @Anarchist86ed 4 роки тому +2

    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  4 роки тому +1

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

    • @Anarchist86ed
      @Anarchist86ed 4 роки тому +2

      ​@@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  4 роки тому

      Hmm. Sounds like every other McDonalds

    • @Anarchist86ed
      @Anarchist86ed 4 роки тому

      @@ChrisHarden Or the burger king near lakewood plaza.

  • @LittleDalton13
    @LittleDalton13 2 роки тому +1

    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 роки тому +1

      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 2 роки тому

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

  • @talon6377
    @talon6377 3 роки тому +1

    Please show east side

  • @ianmcnally373
    @ianmcnally373 Рік тому

    Bro i hate blono, so much crime...

  • @vilstef6988
    @vilstef6988 Рік тому

    A normal school is a teacher's college.

  • @Theaw3some4
    @Theaw3some4 2 роки тому +1

    You drove past my neigborhood

  • @michaellee3680
    @michaellee3680 3 роки тому +1

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

  • @joejonas3684
    @joejonas3684 3 роки тому +1

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

    • @johannaweichsel3602
      @johannaweichsel3602 2 роки тому

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

  • @patrick383ironworker
    @patrick383ironworker Рік тому

    CJS 08, go Redbirds!

  • @kenp6200
    @kenp6200 Рік тому +1

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

    • @DougVanDorn
      @DougVanDorn Рік тому +1

      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. 🙂

  • @speedlearner
    @speedlearner Рік тому

    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.

  • @tylerbuckley4661
    @tylerbuckley4661 Рік тому

    You forgot Ronald Regan he is a graduate from Illinois state

  • @Pbirv
    @Pbirv 3 роки тому +2

    I was at ISU for 8 years. I can't believe they tore down Rocky's, Shanigan's, and the Gallery for a fucking museum!
    Nothing against museums per se, but one would think that they could've found somewhere else to put it.
    I see the building where The Cellar used to be is still there. I sure miss 25 cent beer nights!

    • @zafnor
      @zafnor Рік тому

      That was big controversy when Normal tore down historic buildings that they deemed were an eyesore and outdated. They felt that is was more important to give the students usable state of the art surroundings. Either way, it's all history now. They did preserve some of the older buildings like the theater and parts of W North St and E Beaufort St.

    • @Pbirv
      @Pbirv Рік тому

      @@zafnor Rocky’s, Shanigan’s, and the Gallery were useable. I’ll never forgive the town for tearing them down.

    • @trfabing
      @trfabing 4 місяці тому +1

      I former isu friend, said that he met the owner of the building and was taken down to the just down Cellar and was shocked that it looked just like he remembered when we went there in the early 80's

    • @Pbirv
      @Pbirv 4 місяці тому

      @@trfabing So what’s in the Cellar now?

    • @trfabing
      @trfabing 4 місяці тому +1

      @Pbirv Nothing, it was locked up. If I remember right he said the town would not let him reopen after they redid uptown. It's been 40 years since i graduated, and with the changes I'm not sure i could remember were it was. I'm going down to ISU in a couple of weeks to meet some old classmates and they want to stop a Mother Murphy's. I'm sure they will know.
      I remember the Gallery, Josie's and Whitehorse they are all gone.

  • @cleosmom
    @cleosmom Рік тому

    I was born and raised there. It's too bad you didn't go through the old crappy west side. Not so pretty. Also wish you went to the real downtown square and the streets off the old courthouse!! 😤

  • @amyrinker139
    @amyrinker139 3 роки тому +1

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

    • @ChrisHarden
      @ChrisHarden  3 роки тому

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

  • @JoBC88U
    @JoBC88U 2 роки тому

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

  • @donthespotter6550
    @donthespotter6550 Рік тому

    Didn't have any big expectations for Normal Illinois

  • @owenrozanski7830
    @owenrozanski7830 2 роки тому

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

  • @sunnyb831
    @sunnyb831 8 місяців тому

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

  • @alexandergermanis679
    @alexandergermanis679 3 роки тому

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

  • @rondaengle5690
    @rondaengle5690 3 роки тому

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

  • @glennso47
    @glennso47 3 роки тому

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

  • @柏波
    @柏波 Рік тому

    Thanks for this video. I even see my bicycle!

  • @myfriendtylercar6946
    @myfriendtylercar6946 2 роки тому

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