(birds chirping) What's going on everyone?

Here we are on top of the Murray building, visible from the Robert Michael Bridge, right behind me at Hidden Peoria, put on by the Peoria Historical Society.

For the first time ever, they are unlocking some of the most notable and historic buildings right here in downtown Peoria.

To learn just a little bit more, let's go talk to my friend Liz Klise.

(lively music) As promised Liz Klise, executive director of the Peoria Historical Society.

Thank you for joining us.

- Happy to be here.

- Hidden Peoria.

Tell me about this.

- Hidden Peoria is a look inside the doors of 13 downtown Peoria buildings.

We are so excited.

Our mission is to preserve, share and celebrate the stories of Peoria.

So this is the perfect example of how we do that for the public.

- And we're on the second floor right now of the Murray Place Building.

- Yes.

- This is what business is this?

- This is a Farnsworth Group, an architectural firm.

So it was originally a tinware factory, as you can see from the brickwork and the industrial feel of it.

But it's been renovated into a modern day architecture firm.

- I love it.

I think we're gonna go to the mill next.

What do you think?

- Oh, awesome.

Full of artist studios architectural interest.

You're gonna love it.

- Let's go.

Here we are at the mill, the creative heartbeat of the city here.

Let's go inside and check it out.

This building's got some character.

Built in 1891, used to be a woodworking business called Wahlfeld Manufacturing.

A good old fashioned 6,000 pound freight elevator.

Works fine.

Up here on the second floor.

More than 40 artists work in this building.

Painters, photographers, sculptors, you name it.

Good bones here.

Original wood floors and beams.

Good lighting.

There I go up the stairs.

There's nothing up there.

We're just doing a bit.

Having fun.

Onto the next spot.

Pop-A-Shot.

Look at this space.

Used to be a carriage factory built in 1875.

Now it's hoops paradise, baby Pop-A-Shot.

You've heard of it.

In 2020, they moved their headquarters here from Salina, Kansas.

These nice people are getting a tour here and I'm gonna shoot out.

Don't even know this guy.

Anyway, they now sell 60,000 units a year thanks to partnerships with ESPN and national restaurant chains.

Onto the next spot.

416 Main, 17 stories, including six stories in the upper tower.

Lemme get the door tied.

Completed in 1920 at a cost of $1 million.

Construction began in 1918, but was halted due to World War I. Hundreds of safe deposit boxes from the days when this was First National Bank, then Commerce Bank.

Designed by Architects Hewitt and Emerson.

Little Neoclassical design more than 164,000 square feet.

Let's go ahead and cross the street to the Janssen Law Center where one name says it all.

Built in 1990 by the Becker Brothers.

You see that chandelier?

It's 3000 pounds.

Pure brass.

And here's me acting like I'm holding court in the China room telling everyone they have to stay late.

Okay, that's enough.

Last stop, City Hall.

Completed an 1899, Lake Superior Red Sandstone.

Each floor actually has windows of a different design.

Little Tiffany style stained glass skylight up there.

Up here in the chambers, this is where decisions get made people.

This mural here was painted in 1912.

Incredible.

In 2017 it was named the Country's Best City Hall.

What a day in downtown Peoria.

That's gonna do it from us, from Hidden Peoria.

Thank you to the Peoria Historical Society.

We will see you next year.

(audience applauding)