Decatur continues to be a hotbed of agricultural research and advanced industrial technologies that feed and fuel our world. New companies are establishing themselves in Decatur and existing companies are expanding their footprint – all with a focus on sustainability and green initiatives
A lively downtown and other urban areas offer fresh living spaces mixed in with premier dining, craft beer & cocktails, and stellar entertainment Over 2000 acres of parks and trails and easy lake access give residents the chance to get outside to play. Add in top-notch education facilities and a very affordable cost of living and you will quickly see Decatur's appeal as a well-rounded community poised for the future. There is no better time to live in Decatur and experience our City's growth!
welcome to decatur!
Decatur, Illinois is a unique place. Geographically, we're located smack dab in the middle of things. With our acres of farm fields and prairie, we typify the nation's heartland. New products and innovative technologies are developed here, and a vast network of roads and rails efficiently link our products to global destinations that feed and fuel the world.
But there's a softer side to our city, too, and it's defined by the spirit of the people who live and work here. Their energy, optimism, talent, vision, and just plain hard work form the true heart of Decatur, and guide our city's future.
Browse these pages for a compelling snapshot of our community that creates a visual portrait of who we are and where we're going. Much like the uplifted gaze captured on Commodore Stephen Decatur's statue, we look forward to the future, too, and want to welcome you to our wonderful city
YOUR FRIENDS IN DECATUR
It has been said that moving day can be one of those times that make or break friendships. A true friend will help. The City of Decatur is here for you, too. Call or visit the official city website for all the tools you need to make your move a little easier. To learn more about the city and schedule municipal services, go to www.decaturil.gov or call resident information at 217-424-2700.
8 Fun Central
Miles of Lake Decatur shoreline and waves of water recreation; acres of parks and green space; and sports scenes played out on bike trails, soccer fields, golf courses and pickleball courtsmake Decatur the center for fun
12 Creative Climate
The entire city is our stage, where art galleries host rare exhibits right along with the bright splashes of student watercolors; curtains rise on internationally-known performers and local thespians; and cultural heritage is celebrated in song, dance, and sculpture.
36 Calling All Kids
Learn to play is our motto. Whether your children want to take up a musical instrument, dance on stage, master a sport, or discover the world around them, after-school programs and summer camps offer them the chance to grow
20 A Heart for History
Experience history through our eyes, and you'll see homesteads restored to their original grandeur with tours hosted by an organization with a passion for preserving and sharing Decatur's historic treasures.
24 Translating the Brewery Experience
Decatur has emulated dear old München in our passion for beer, abundance of excellent brewers, and our own annual bierfest
44 Centered on Each Other
We put words into action. Decaturites show philanthropy through the collaborative ways we team up to donate time, talent and treasure today in the spirit of our community's health and wellbeing in the future.
48 Good Neighbors
Look at a map of the Decatur area and you'll see a patchwork quilt of communities - neighborhoods with a history, a personality, and a story to tell. Home to historic bungalows, stately mansions, lakeside retreats and new suburban expansion, they weave the fabric of an appealing place to live.
Welcome to Decatur is published annually by Decatur Magazine and is distributed through local business and industry to aid in their recruitment and relocation efforts.
For more information about moving to the Decatur area contact the City of Decatur Resident Information at 217-424-2700 or go to www.decatur.il.gov.
For advertising inquiries or to direct questions and comments about the magazine, contact Decatur Magazine at 217-423-0422 or email publisher@decaturmagazine.com.
Positioned at the junction of Interstate 72 and Route 51, Decatur offers convenient access to major metropolitan areas and other central Illinois communities within easy driving distance. 43,720 $61,322
TRAVEL
Distance from Decatur in miles Springfield - IL State Capitol
Champaign-Urbana
Bloomington-Normal
St. Louis Indianapolis Chicago
Average
CLIMATE
Average Temperature
Average Annual Precipitation
Comfort Index 7.2/10
Winter Low 19 F Summer High 87 F
Rainfall 40 inches Snowfall 13 inches
Sunny Days 199
Performance Venues
Antique Centers
Museums
Children’s Museum
City Parks
Conservation Area
Public Gardens
Bike Trails
Dog Park
Disc Golf Course
Golf Courses
Miniature Golf Course
Climbing Wall
Ropes Course
Water Park
Swimming Pools
Zoo
Tennis Courts
Bowling Facilities
Skateboarding
Pickleball Courts
Sports Complex
Volleyball Courts
Basketball Courts
Ice Skating
Football/Soccer Fields
Ball Diamonds
Lighted Ball Diamonds
Movie Theaters
Health Clubs
Riding Stables
Water Access
Clinton Lake
To
FUN CENTRAL
Acres of parks and nature trails; miles of Lake Decatur shoreline and waves of water recreation; and sports scenes from youth hockey to tennis and golf — make Decatur the center for fun
Lake Decatur
Much of Decatur's story links to our lake. Created in 1922, Lake Decatur established itself as the state's largest artificial body of water with a total of 2,800 acres and a 30mile shoreline.
Today, roles as the city's primary water source, recreational hub, and wildlife haven reflect a unique partnership between the City of Decatur, which owns the Lake, and the Decatur Park District, principal owner of its 2,000-acre shoreline. Generous public access affords plenty of boating and fishing, parks, wildlife vistas, and flyway observation decks.
Boating is a popular pastime on Lake Decatur for sailing, cruising or fishing. Home to over twenty fishing tournaments each year, the lake draws visitors from across the country. The Commodore Decatur Yacht Club and a host of other boat clubs provide private boat slips and organized events for members.
The community shares a vested interest in this vital and historic resource, and plans for continued development include a proposed $35 million lake enhancement project that includes a rejuvenated new lakefront with retailers, restaurants, amphitheater and condominiums. The first phase, completed in summer 2011, includes a dog park, adventure trail, disk golf and other fitness amenities in Nelson Park. The Beach House promenade and new marina on the lakefront are complete. Overlook Adventure Park includes the mini-golf complex, ropes course, batting cages and new aquatic center. Plans for a revamped marina with additional boat slips and amenities are underway
Great Outdoors
Decatur presents a panorama of “green space:” Over 5,000 acres fit for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, sledding, golfing, horseback riding, camping, birding, picnicking — or simply relaxing. And with two dog parks, there's even ample play space for man's best friend!
Six community and 30 neighborhood parks — a total of 2,000 green acres — comprise the Decatur Park District's outdoor recreation system. Friendly neighborhood “pocket parks” sport sandboxes and swings, while longtime favorites like Fairview Park, where nostalgia is among nature's gifts, have charmed residents for decades. Restored to its 1950's glory, Fairview's Dreamland Lake transports many Decaturites to summer days spent fishing with Grandpa and feeding the ducks or winter afternoons ice-skating with a sweetheart. New memories are made here every day, too, as the “rolls” from Fairview's most recent addition — a Skate Park built to spec for local skateboarders with banked wedges, pipes and ramps — and the shouts of wintertime sledders on Cannonball hill attest.
Sixteen miles of trail way connect nature's landscapes and beckon outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Park paths follow terrain ranging from abundant woodlands and rolling meadows to unspoiled prairie and lush greenways bordering the Sangamon River and Stevens Creek. A ten-foot wide, handicapped accessible bikeway spans 3.2 miles and connects Fairview and Kiwanis parks and the Rock Springs nature area. A new bikeway extension was completed in the fall that extends north from the Fairview Park trail to connect to Forsyth.
Protecting nature's bounty is a priority for our community as well, and much of its guardianship lies with the Macon County Conservation District, whose mission to acquire, maintain, and restore natural areas and cultural sites embraces 3,200 acres of nature, wildlife, and outdoor recreation
Five tracts — each with unique geography, habitat, history, and recreational opportunities — fall under the District's auspices in Macon County, including Rock Spring Nature Center, and Friends Creek, Sand Creek, Fort Daniel and Griswold Conservation Areas.
Sporting Life
Complementing this relatively spontaneous side of the great outdoors is the community's invigorating array of organized athletic activities — a range well suited to participants or spectators. In addition to one of the nation's premiere park systems, the Decatur Park District also manages 58 baseball diamonds, dozens of tennis and basketball courts, fourteen soccer fields, and two public golf courses. Decatur's complexes and sports facilities host competitive events ranging from swim, hockey, and gymnastics, to cheerleading, cross country, soccer, disc golf and pickleball.
Golf
th Rated 18 in the nation by Golf Digest Magazine for accessibility and affordability, Decatur is right on par with two award-winning public golf courses. The flat, wide fairways of Hickory Point Golf Course, situated on Decatur's north side, challenge both beginner and experienced golfers. Designed by Roger Packard, Hickory Point features a lighted driving range and a special, six-hole short course.
The newest star in our golf galaxy is Red Tail Run, designed by the legendary Raymond Floyd. With large, undulating greens, wide rolling fairways, and native prairie grasses and plants, and serving as Decatur's Audubon-sanctioned golf course, Red Tail Run is in synch with the environment — and with enthusiastic golfers.
Two private clubs in Decatur, the Country Club of Decatur and South Side Country Club, offer championship golf for members on their manicured 18-hole courses managed by PGA professionals.
Play Ball
With five lighted softball/baseball diamonds and four illuminated volleyball courts, Rotary Park, the city's premier sports complex, sees its fair share of competitors, too. Ideal for large tournaments, Rotary Park hosts teams from throughout the region and state, as well as just for fun leagues for locals during the summer
Take it indoors
Take a look at recreation from the inside out, and you'll find spaces as expansive as our great outdoors. Decatur's Civic Center, host to meetings and expositions by day, gets “cool” on evenings and weekends, when families and friends take to its indoor ice arena. The rink also is headquarters for the Decatur Flames, a competitive hockey league comprised of more than 200 area youth ages four through high school, and part of the Decatur Youth Hockey Association
With 87,000 square feet of space, the Decatur Indoor Sports Center (DISC) has indoor recreation covered under one impressive roof — from two gymnasiums, a four-lane competitive grade track, dance studios, and batting/pitching cages to a climbing wall, indoor golf center and weight room.
On the city's north side is the recently expanded Greater Decatur YMCA, with racquetball courts, indoor swimming, Wellness Center, personalized training programs, a wide array of fitness classes, and on-site childcare.
College and Prep Sports
Spectators find action, too, with Decatur-area teams providing plenty to watch. At the college level, we cheer on the Big Blue of Millikin University, whose men's and women's teams compete in football, basketball, baseball, softball, cross-country, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling as part of the CCIW (College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin.) Whenever the "Big Blue" brings home another national championship, cheers echo throughout the city
And whether it's decades-old high school bragging rights between the Eisenhower Panthers and the MacArthur Generals, or the Mt. Zion Braves in the 2024 Class 4A Championship game, bleachers are packed and loyalties run deep.
More Places to Play
Take a walk on the wild side at Scovill Zoo, home to wild and domestic animals from around the world. The Z.O. & O. Express Train winds through the 15-acre site and no visit is complete without a ride on the Endangered Species Carousel. The Zoo hosts special family events (like Boo at the Zoo in October) and educational programs at the Shilling Environmental Center year round. Annual family memberships are available.
Another long-time favorite, the Children's Museum of Illinois, bills itself as a place where “children play to learn, and adults learn to play.” Ranked among the top 25 children's museums in the country by Child magazine, the facility spans two floors of interactive exhibits and 10,000 square feet of exhibit space. Situated throughout the Museum, interactive stations encourage youngsters to be whoever they imagine — pilot, builder, banker, or scientist. Ten permanent exhibits complement traveling exhibits and special projects.
Windows to other worlds also open at Rock Springs Nature Center, a 1,350-acre site situated in the midst of Rock Springs Conservation Area. The Children's Awareness Room acquaints youngsters with residents of prairie, forest, and aquatic environments, and encourages them to “spy” on new friends through the Room's expansive window. Interpretive staff members are always on hand to help translate local critter dialogue.
At Overlook Adventure Park, you’ll find a new 36-hole miniature golf complex designed for all skill levels, along with a ropes course and batting cages. Splash Cove, the new family aquatic center includes slides, zip lines and lazy river
Our venues are a lively mix, where art galleries host rare exhibits right alongside bright splashes of local students' watercolors; curtains rise on internationally-known performers and local thespians; and cultural heritage is celebrated in song, dance, and sculpture. Throughout the Decatur area, talent radiates and spotlights shine on artists and performers of all ages.
CREATIVE CLIMATE
First Friday Art Walk
Downtown Decatur is home to five art galleries, all within easy walking distance of each other. This close proximity inspired gallery walks on the First Friday of every month where you'll find displays of original art, entertaining musicians, and culinary delights year round. Take a stroll through Gallery 510, Blue Connection and the Madden Art Center where creativity takes center stage.
Sounds of Music
If you love music the way we do, tune in. From small intimate recitals to music halls filled to capacity, Decatur's eight performance venues offer everything from opera to rock and roll. One of the region's most cherished annual traditions is Vespers, where 300 Millikin University student voices and instrumentalists come together in song to celebrate the sounds of the holiday season For the schedule of performances go to www.decaturmagazine.com/calendar
Take A Tour
Take to the streets for a creative spin on history. Go on a walking tour of Decatur's historic architecture or drive past stunning displays of public art, like the original sculpture created by Preston Jackson as a tribute to African American Civil War soldiers, or the downtown painted wall murals depicting significant moments in Decatur’s history
Curtain Calls
Thousands of patrons are drawn to the annual Kirkland Performing Arts series, which typically includes music, comedy, and dance performances with appeal for the entire family. Nationally acclaimed musical tours have included Rent, Grease, Evita, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, and many others. Located on the Millikin University campus, Kirkland Fine Arts Center is joined by Albert Taylor Theatre, Virginia Rogers Theater and Pipe Dreams Studio as the perfect venues for University student performances ranging from comedy to drama, and musicals to dance.
Another talented troupe are the Decatur Community Dancers, whose performance “home” is Richland’s Shilling Auditorium. In addition to theatre productions, this 325-seat venue also hosts lectures, film series, annual business meetings, and community stage productions. Theatre 7, Decatur's all-volunteer community theater troupe, performs in the Decatur Civic Center theater. More than 150 Theatre 7 members perform on-stage and assist behind the scenes, and are supported by hosts of local businesses — and enthusiastic audiences.
Perfect Harmony
Ours is a musically gifted community, where the local composite of talent — ranging from Millikin University instrumental faculty to high school jazz bands — is literally music to our ears. Hitting a particularly high note within this musical range is the Decatur Municipal Band — formed in 1857 and believed to be the nation’s oldest non-military band in continuous service. Residents count on the sounds of their Municipal Band at parades, special events, and summertime concerts in Central Park. Another rewarding experience for musicians and audiences alike is the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra (MDSO), an ensemble comprised of Millikin University instrumental faculty, students, and freelance musicians.
PRESERVING THE PAST
It's no stretch to say history surrounds us, and the legacy of those who came before is easy to find. It's carved in building facades, and etched on street signs. We invest, visit, volunteer, and support museums and restorations to honor, remember, and learn from those early pioneers. We walk the same blocks tread by Abraham Lincoln, and surround ourselves with the successes of Decatur's founding families. Experience history through our eyes, and you'll see homesteads restored to their original grandeur; museums brimming with yesteryear treasures; and monuments built to pay tribute to fallen heroes. c
Lincoln in Decatur
th
At age 21, our nation's 16 president first laid eyes on Decatur in March 1830, his first home in Illinois. Through the next three decades, the fledgling attorney – and the young city – would continue to intersect, with Decatur ultimately playing a pivotal role in Lincoln's political destiny. Today, you can trek “Honest Abe's” path at 16 Wayside Exhibits throughout the community that tell the story of his journey to the White House. Ten of the exhibits are located in downtown Decatur for a convenient selfguided walking tour.
Explore & Learn
Our region has a culturally rich heritage of thinkers, dreamers, inventors and leaders, and you can understand why when you come here. You, too, can experience the influence of our forefathers by visiting lovingly restored mansions, museums and antique centers brimming with treasures that preserve the past for future generations. The James Millikin Homestead and Richard Oglesby Mansion offer monthly tours and open houses. The Macon County Museum Complex is home to a prairie village, Lincoln Courthouse and historical artifacts and the Homestead Prairie Village at Rock Springs Nature Center tell the story of the region's early settlers.
When Hieronymus Mueller emigrated to the U.S. from Germany, his brothers who lived in Freeport, Illinois, advised him to “pick a good town with a railroad and grow with it. Decatur, a town south of here, is at the junction of two railroads. Go there and grow up with the town.”
A gunsmith and machinist, Mueller became an inventor — answering practical needs of a world entering the industrial age. Mueller Company retained its family ownership until 1986, and the company remains a thriving enterprise today. Located on the Mueller Company grounds along Eldorado Street is the Hieronymus Mueller Museum, just the place to meet Decatur’s “unsung genius” and holder of over 500 patents. This eclectic spot shows how Mueller and his descendents invented and manufactured everything from the first sanitary drinking fountain to fire hydrants. There’s even an example of one of the first Mueller-Benz automobiles.
The restored mansion at 361 N. College Street is home to the Staley Museum that preserve the history of the A. E. Staley Family, The Staley Historic Home and the A. E. Staley Mfg. Co., especially as it pertains to the history of the city of Decatur and the larger agricultural community. The Museum serves as a repository of information, historical documentation and memorabilia, as well as a cultural and educational contributor to the community of Decatur
To learn more about the impactful history of the Decatur area including museums, antique centers and sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, go to www.decaturcvb.com
The Powers mansion tour is one of many events History of the Heartland has hosted to support and encourage preservation and restoration.
It's not every day that the Powers mansion at 357 West Decatur St. is open to the public. In fact, it has been a long time since the 7,700-square-foot, three-story Greek Revival home has been filled with people. Even so, owner Norma Fick and a group of volunteers who offered to give tours of the mansion on a Wednesday night in May 2024, expected a crowd of maybe 50 to 100 people.
Turns out their estimate was a bit off. Instead, a line snaked out the door and down the street, with so many people interested in seeing the stately gem's faded interiors that not all of them made it into the house in time to walk the halls before dark.
In about three and a half hours, we had almost 1,000 people take the walking tour of the house, and we had to turn away about 500 people,” says Ayn Owens, founder of History of the Heartland, a not-for-profit organization that advocates for historic preservation in Decatur. “The mansion is in rough shape, but the tours allowed people to see that it has a lot of beauty and that it will be beautiful again.” Donations of almost $6,500 from the event will assist Fick's commitment to bringing the mansion back to its former glory
The Powers mansion tour is one of many events History of the Heartland has hosted to support and encourage preservation and restoration. The organization also strives to educate residents about the hidden treasures found throughout Decatur. Much of the organization's efforts originate on the Facebook page (facebook.com/Historyoftheheartland), where more than 12,000 members follow daily posts that share historic photos and the stories behind them, update followers on preservation initiatives and encourage them to share their own tales.
Community members — and even people who have moved away but still want to stay connected to Decatur — regularly comment on the daily doses of history the social media updates provide. “I often reach out to people who comment because they give us threads to pull to learn more about the community and hear other stories,” Owens says. In a typical month, the page is viewed by more than 200,000 people. In May, when many History of the Heartland-hosted events occur as part of their annual Historic Preservation Week, 450,000 people viewed the page.
Owens started History of the Heartland in 2019 after she joined other community members fighting to save the historic Staley Pump House from demolition. “There were a lot of emotions by people in our community who had great memories of generations of their families who worked at Staley's,” Owens recalls. “A lot of people talked to me about how they wanted to see somebody move forward with helping promote preservation in the community, so when we lost the battle for the pump house, we moved on and created History of the Heartland.”
And the rest, to use a rather fitting turn of phrase, is history. Owens and History of the Heartland chair Bret Robertson, who takes the lead on those many thoroughly researched Facebook posts, are the faces of an organization that actively engages with many local historic sites. “We started approaching different venues, like the Oglesby Mansion, Millikin Homestead, Staley Museum, Mueller Museum, Macon County Museum and Culver House to form a consortium,” Owens explains. “That was really the beginning of it.” Now 29 different agencies are members of History of the Heartland and, as a result, Historic Preservation Week has grown each year
In 2024, May 18 was dubbed “History Showcase Saturday,” when open houses were held at the Millikin Homestead, Staley Museum, African American Museum, Culver House, Macon County Museum and Prairie Village, Governor Oglesby Mansion and Hieronymus Mueller Museum.
That same day, History of the Heartland hosted the third-annual Living Legends event. In years past, Living Legends celebrated minor league baseball players and local firefighters. This year's event commemorated the legendary Stephen Decatur High School basketball teams of the 1960s.
“We wanted to reach out to the people who are still around and able to come and share their stories,” Owens says. “So players in their 70s and even older were able to see the trophies they helped bring to Decatur. It was an emotional evening.” Participants even stood up and sang their school fight song together. “I recorded that and put it on our Facebook page,” Owens adds. “It's just a testament to how cool things like that can be.”
The next day, History of the Heartland hosted its annual Stained Glass Stories Tour, where tour guides at First Presbyterian Church,
Central Christian Church, St. John's Episcopal Church, St. Patrick Catholic Church and St. James Catholic Church shared the history of the striking stained-glass windows adorning each location. “I've had phone calls from people in Indiana, southern Illinois, Springfield, Champaign, Monticello wanting to know when the venues are open. We have a lot of interest because Decatur has the most beautiful churches in the area,” Owens says.
Jan Akins has been a tour guide for one of those beautiful churches — St. John's Episcopal Church — for the past three years. She's the perfect person to offer the tours too, because she and her son, Aaron, wrote an 850-page book on the church and its connections to the history of Decatur, “The Definitive History of St. John's Episcopal Church.” (The book is available at stjohnshistory.org.) “The stainedglass windows in churches in Decatur are gorgeous,” Akins says. “A lot of people come back for the tours year after year because they're so interested in the history.”
Akins also helped with the Powers mansion tour “It was just unbelievable all the people who wanted to come through the Powers mansion because it had been locked up so long,” she says. “We gave tours, but then we just let people look around since we didn't have time to get all the people in.”
Akins says History of the Heartland has filled a gap in the community. When she wanted her church recognized as a historic landmark, “there was no one to help except History of the Heartland. They gave a lot of answers and information that wasn't available anywhere else in Decatur.”
Folks interested in preservation should, of course, contact the organization. Owens also encourages community members to volunteer at the historic locations around Decatur. “Obviously monetary support is always appreciated,” she says, “but one of our favorite ways for people to participate is to share their stories, their childhood memories, the history of their families. It's amazing the fascinating histories so many hardworking families have.”
Owens adds, “Our tagline is 'history happens in Decatur,' so we like celebrating the history of the past, but we also like creating those memories for people in the future.”
On October 12, 1810, in Munich, Germany, Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese Emile of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The prince, a real party animal, invited all of Munich's citizens to attend his wedding reception — where all the beer was on him — in a big field that ever since has been called “Therese's Meadow.” Now you just know it as “Oktoberfest.”
The problem with Oktoberfest is that the more beer you consume, the less you remember about the good time you are having. That can happen quickly in Munich, as beer is served in liter glasses. Fortunately, Decatur has emulated dear old München in our passion for beer, abundance of excellent local brewers, and our own autumnal “bierfest” — the Decatur Craft Beer Festival, which features beers from our three local breweries, among others, and is hosted annually by the Decatur Area Arts Council.
Decatur Brew Works (DBW), created by Dreux Lewandowski, Stan Rives, Micah Koll and Renee Manring, originally resided next to the Chinese Tea Garden on Lincoln Square. With a large fan base, it needed more room and is now located at the corner of Main and William in the historic Haines & Essick building. It is strictly a taproom, but patrons are welcome to bring their own food or order delivery — like a large pizza for a group of friends. That's the secret to visiting any craft brewery in Decatur: bring plenty of good friends.
DBW offers up to 28 draft beers (including at least 18 brewed onsite), with some long-term and others constantly rotating because craft brewers are like pleasant mad scientists, always tinkering to perfect something new. Beer names can be whimsical, such as “Starland Dreams,” but a subsequent description always includes the exact style (lager, doppelbock, IPA, etc.) and the percentage alcohol by volume (ABV) — the higher the number, the more potent the
alcohol. As it is difficult to try everything at full size, go with a flight, with four-ounce samples of each of four beers of your choosing.
Established in 2017, Door 4 Brewing Co. sits inside the fourth door — hence the name — on the lower level of the Marquis Beverage campus (1214 W. Cerro Gordo St.). Owners Tim and Aimee Fyke have put together a trifecta: the brewery and the beer, an on-site food truck, and a video gaming area. The seasonal food truck, located in the parking lot, serves items like hand-tossed pizzas, smoked barbecue and hand-battered chicken. That menu is expanded for Sunday brunch, where you can also enjoy a bloody mary or mimosa. And since it is a truck, if your large-event group cannot come to Door 4, the truck can come to you, providing buffet service, appetizers, desserts or individual meals.
Golden Fox Brewing (2874 N. Dinneen St.) was created in 2016 by friends Jim Fox and Kevin Ray. You can catch a flight here similar to other breweries; or go with a 5-ounce pour, a 16-ounce draft or a 32-ounce growler. Bring your own food, have it delivered, or order one of eight in-house pizza types and large soft pretzels. Inside are arcade games, electronic darts, board games and television screens. The large outdoor patio with fire pit, grill and plenty of seating offers space for games, periodic live-band music and contests for brewery gift cards. Most important are the suds. Golden Fox was awarded the Gold Cup for their Furious Fox American Style Imperial Stout at the 2024 World Beer Cup.
All of Decatur's craft brewery establishments have a camaraderie that would be unthinkable in other endeavors, so visit them all on the Craft Brewery Freestyle Tour. They all host special events throughout the year including trivia nights, yoga sessions and live music, too
May 9 - 10
Decatur Craft Beer Festival
VIP event downtown on Friday. Saturday event in Central Park, 213 N. Franklin St. Includes craft beers from across Illinois and beyond, live music and food trucks. Tickets, 217-4233189, www.decaturarts.org
June 7 - 8
Hardy's Highway: Race for the Lake Hydro and flat bottom boats will compete in sanctioned boat racing on Lake Decatur Racing from 11am to 5pm each day. Food vendors, arts and crafts, music and fun activities for the kids. More info at www.decatur-parks.org or call 217-422-5911.
July 4
Independence Day Celebration
Nelson Park, 2301 E. Lakeshore Dr Community celebration on the lakefront with live music, food and fireworks display at dusk, free, 217-422-5911, www.decatur-parks.org
August 26 - 28
Farm Progress Show
Progress City USA
With hundreds of exhibitors, we’re proud to call this event the largest outdoor agricultural show in the nation. 217-423-7000. www.farmprogressshow.com
September 1
Labor Day POPS on the Lake Devon Amphitheater
Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra performs their annual end of the summer concert on the shores of Lake Decatur. Boats anchor offshore. 6:00 pm. For tickets go to www.devonamphitheater.com
September 12 - 14
Arts in Central Park
Central Park, Downtown Decatur Art festival featuring the works of over 50 artists, live music, sponsored by Decatur Area Arts Council and Gallery 510, $ for food and beverage, Friday night Preview Party with musical entertainment, F 5-7pm, Sa 10am-5pm, Su 10am-4pm, free admission, 217-423-3189, www.decaturarts.org
October 5
Annual Shoreline Classic
Nelson Park
Premier road race draws thousands of runners and spectators from across the country. The 5K and 15K races are run along the shores of scenic Lake Decatur in a colorful fall setting. To register go to www.shorelineclassic.com
December 3
Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Decatur Civic Center
Christmas in downtown Decatur officially kicks off with the tree lighting in the circle drive of the civic center at 6:00 pm, www.decaturciviccenter.net
December 3
Christmas Walk
Downtown Decatur. Festive trolley rides, music and carolers, delicious goodies, and Santa's House in Central Park, extended retail hours and art galleries open, 5-8pm, free, 217-423-3189, www.decaturarts.org
December 6
Lights of Christmas Parade
Downtown Decatur parade route. Annual Lighted Christmas Parade celebrates the season with festive floats, steps off at 4:30pm, Santa takes up residence in the historic Transfer House in Central Park. For hours, 217-422-7300, www.decaturcvb.com
December 6 - 7
Vespers
Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Cherished annual tradition brings the sounds of Millikin University students together in song as they present “evening prayers” to adoring audiences. For tickets call 217-424-6318, www.millikin.edu/kirkland
Progress City, USA
Richland Community College / Shilling
Macon County History Museum
Children’s Museum of Illinois
Scovill Zoo
Hieronymus Mueller Museum
Mari Mann Herb Farm
Rock Springs Conservation Area
Millikin University / Kirkland
James Millikin Homestead
Gallery 510
Madden Arts Center
Macon County Fairgrounds
African American Cultural Museum
Oglesby Mansion
Chevrolet Hall of Fame Museum
Staley Museum
Preston Jackson Park Fairview Park
Fairview Tennis Complex
Decatur Skate Park
Decatur Indoor Sports Center (DISC)
Greater Decatur YMCA
Hickory Point Golf Course
Forsyth Village Park
Red Tail Run Golf Club
Nelson Park
Sportsmans Park, Schaub Center
Rotary Park
Sand Creek Conservation Area
Decatur Soccer Complex
Lake Decatur Borg Warner Sports Complex
Sunnyside Park
Overlook Adventure Park
Amphitheater
Trolley
Mt. Zion Village Hall
by HILTON
Freestyle
SCAN, CONNECT & ENJOY!
Explore Macon County with self-guided walking and driving tours using brochures, audio CD’s and digital mapping – interactive tools you can use to navigate safely on your own.
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FAMILY ATTRACTIONS
From water sports on Lake Decatur to 16 miles of paved trails, an award-winning zoo and children’s museum to a premier water park and lakeshore amphitheater, Decatur is your go-to place to play
BE ENTERTAINED
In Decatur, you have access to some of the best performances and best venues that you’ll nd anywhere. We know that immersing ourselves into the entire experience is the most memorable part of the performance. Order your tickets directly from any of these local links.
WINTER GAMES
6 locations - driving tour
Fun so big we have to take it outdoors!
The Decatur area is primed for cold weather fun and games with miles of groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails and acres of rolling hills for sledding with park amenities and free access all winter long. Dress warmly.
EDUCATION:
the foundation of progress
Teach your children well has always been a song to celebrate in Decatur.
From the early beginnings of one-room country schools to the present day computerized classrooms, our community has deemed education the foundation of progress. Going to school isn't merely a destination in Decatur — it's a life-long process of improvement. Our citizens have opportunities to learn at every life stage, with programs available for those taking their first tentative baby steps to adults long past retirement.
Excellent Choices
Primary and secondary education is synonymous with choice. Families can select from public, private, and religious schools based on individual needs. Area school districts such as Maroa-Forsyth, Mt. Zion, WarrensburgLatham, and Meridian offer a small town atmosphere for students, while fostering academic excellence.
The Illinois Report Card includes academic performance ratings for public schools. The 2023-24 report gives the highest exemplary ratings to Maroa/Forsyth high school and middle school, Mt. Zion high school, and Warrensburg/Latham elementary school.
Decatur Public School System — better known as DPS No. 61 — has reinvented itself several times in the 140 years since the first school bell rang. The district continues to offer the most varied and enriched programs in the region, including a wide range of music and professional development courses.
learning by doing, and emphasizes respect for others. Decatur is fortunate to have two Montessori schools –Prairie Flower Montessori is a private school offering classes for pre-school through primary grades.
Five district schools are classified as “magnets.” These schools present a full curriculum, but also focus on specific topics or styles of teaching. For example, Garfield Montessori Magnet School is one of only five public Montessori schools in the state and the first public Montessori middle school in Illinois. This hands-on teaching method mixes ages in the classroom, focuses on
Christian education in our community encompasses Catholic, Lutheran, and non-denominational schools. These options provide a well-rounded education that centers on development of the whole child, combining religious doctrine with high academic standards and an attitude of service to others. Some 17 private schools add to the choices in our educational community, and names such as Holy Family, Saint Patrick Elementary, Our Lady of Lourdes School, and Northwest Christian Campus reflect curricula that combine teaching the mind and reaching the heart.
The history of St. Teresa High School — known to locals as “St. T.” — stretches over a century to 1866. What was once strictly a girls' boarding school now has a co-ed enrollment of over 370 students that draws largely from three local Catholic schools.
In 2000, the Lutheran School Association, now known as Unity Christian School, expanded its facilities to include a high school. And, under one roof at Decatur Christian School are about 300 K-12 students, an enrollment which represents about 80 area churches.
With three dedicated homeschooling organizations — Decatur Area Homeschool Network, Greenhouse, and Greater Decatur Area Catholic Home Schoolers — it's estimated about 450 children from 150 to 200 families in our community are home educated. Besides an active co-op teaching math, drama, art, Spanish, music, science, and sign language, many local organizations such as the YMCA, Decatur Area Arts Council, and Rock Springs Nature Center provide programs specifically designed for home educated students.
A Rich Environment
Decatur is surrounded by higher learning opportunities.
Over 76,000 students are served each year by Richland Community College (RCC), located amid some of the richest farmland in the nation on the city's northeast corner. The college serves residents of Macon County and parts of Christian, DeWitt, Logan, Moultrie, Piatt, Sangamon, and Shelby counties. RCC's open door policy allows admittance to anyone within the district that would benefit from a higher education
More than 30 areas of concentration are available for students, and those earning degrees in any of these areas can transfer to a four-year college or university. Lifelong learning programs and non-credit classes span topics from computers, investments, and fine arts, to auto mechanics and dance.
The regional Heartland Technical Academy, teaches practical and work-related skills to high school students in subjects such as agriculture, childcare, criminal justice, and fire-fighting — often partnering with business and industry to get on-the-job training that will prepare students for life beyond the classroom.
Big Blue
James Millikin would be proud. He dreamed of a four-year university that would embrace the “practical” side of learning along with the “literary and classical.” With a combination of community support and private philanthropy Millikin built one of the nation's first small, comprehensive universities. Over a century later, the college continues to thrive — with three professional schools and one liberal
arts and sciences school serving a diverse student body of about 2,400 and offering over 50 undergraduate majors. Within six months of commencement, 99 percent of Millikin's graduates are employed or pursuing additional studies.
Business played an early role in MU's history. Now, highly motivated professionals have the option of pursuing MU's Masters of Business Administration degree within the Tabor School of Business. Designed as a unified curriculum rather than a collection of courses, the program is meant to prepare students for leadership in today's complex business world.
Millikin's Professional Adult Comprehensive Education (PACE) program is designed for working adults — students at least 24 years old with three years of work experience and 45 credit hours under their belts. Majors are available in Organizational Leadership, Criminal Justice, and Accounting. A nursing program is offered for those with an RN degree who wish to complete their BSN by going to night school.
Established in 1997 serving children ages 18 months-6years. Accep ng applica ons for 2024-25 school year
Early experiences in music can have a dramatic impact on a child's potential. For over 100 years, Millikin University's School of Music has provided quality music lessons for students of all ages from Decatur and surrounding communities.
Today, that tradition continues with the programs and private lessions offered by the Millikin Community Arts Academy
Summer Camp
The trend of educating our children when school is not in session is right in line with a national movement towards experiential and exploratory learning. Summer school in Decatur has taken a new approach by inviting families to enroll their children in a camp-like setting utilizing existing recreational, wellness and technology facilities that translate into more interactive and engaged participants.
The intent is to create an atmosphere where the community becomes the classroom and students are encouraged to be good digital citizens in a responsible way. Every camp day is filled with a new adventure through sports, crafts, nature, experiments, along with regular field trips. Designed for youth in grades K-12, these popular summer camps are available through the Decatur Park District, YMCA and Macon County Conservation District.
The response to this paradigm shift? More applicants means possible waiting lists, so families are encouraged to register early to reserve their spots.
In Step
Hundreds of local dancers take the stage during the year in Decatur to adoring audiences – and showcase the results of their hard work during classes offered across the community
The Decatur Community Dance (DCD) program is committed to providing the highest quality dance training in a professional but personal and friendly environment for children (starting at age two) to adult.
With over 30 years of experience teaching dance, The Dance Centre specializes in a unique dance program for pre-school age students and offers a variety of classes for ages two through adult.
Debbie's Dance Studio has almost 40 years of experience teaching young dancers and offers classes beginning with the Wiggles and Giggles class for ages 18 months to four years to specialized classes for boys and girls through adult.
After School Sports
Golf
Nearly on par with the professionals are their protégés —more than 350 junior golfers, ages four to 21, who compete in Decatur's Junior Open, the Midwest's top-ranked junior tournament. Beginning at an early age, young golfers in Decatur learn the skills of the game during junior golf programs offered at all our golf facilities.
Soccer
Youth soccer has found a home in Decatur as well, hosting indoor soccer leagues at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center (DISC) and games for all ages on manicured fields scattered throughout the city. The Midstate Soccer Club, a developmental program administered by the Decatur Park District, provides league and tournament play for youth ages 5-18 at the Decatur Soccer Complex on the city's north side.
flathead catfish - crappie
freshwater drum - white bass - largemouth bass
To obtain permits and schedule tournaments, call the City of Decatur Lake Office 217-424-2837
HEALTH & WELLNESS
For more than a century, advanced healthcare has had a home – and a heart – in Decatur. Through the decades, the focus of local healthcare has shifted from treating diseases to prevention and wellness, and from hospital stays spanning weeks to hosts of procedures performed on an outpatient basis.
Decatur's role and reputation as a regional healthcare hub has evolved as well with its facilities, programs, services, and technologies building on the commitment and foresight of our community's pioneers.
Decatur Memorial Hospital (DMH) has served the people of Decatur and central Illinois for more than a century
A not-for-profit hospital, DMH's mission — to improve lives and build stronger communities through better health — is made possible thanks to more than 1,700 caring, dedicated employees. The physicians of Memorial Specialty Care, which is based in Decatur, serve patients across the region. DMH and Memorial Specialty Care are part of Memorial Health, one of the leading healthcare providers in downstate Illinois, enabling patients to benefit from the strength of a regional healthcare organization
DMH is a licensed and fully accredited 280-bed facility that offers a wide range of general and specialized diagnostic, surgical and treatment services. DMH is a Level II trauma center and a designated Primary Stroke Center with the technology and expertise to provide lifesaving stroke treatment when every second counts.
Inpatient services include orthopedics, cardiopulmonary, vascular medicine, gastroenterology, oncology, neurosciences, intensive care, respiratory, laboratory and radiology services. The Family Birth Center at DMH provides compassionate, skilled labor and delivery services to local families. In partnership with Memorial Specialty Care Cardiology, DMH offers a high level of cardiac and vascular care.
Outpatient services include infusion, physical therapy, cancer care, sleep care, wound care, pain care and more.
DMH is committed to making it easy for the community to access health and wellness services. There is a network of Memorial Care clinics offering primary care, virtual care, lab and imaging services in the Decatur area, as well as an urgent care clinic on Route 36 East
that provides fast, convenient care for minor illnesses and injuries. Two Memorial Imaging Center locations, in Forsyth and Mt. Zion, provide MRI, CT, mammography, X-ray and more.
Founded in 1878 by three Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, HSHS St. Mary's Hospital is an all-private room health care facility that combines modern technology and the caring spirit of the original founders. HSHS St. Mary's is situated on a 21-acre campus overlooking Lake Decatur and offers a broad spectrum of comprehensive health services.
HSHS St. Mary's Hospital offers state-of-the-art technologies to provide specialty services including the latest diagnostic equipment, interventional cardiology, surgical and medical intervention, emergency medical care, outpatient radiation therapy, pain management and a sleep center. HSHS St. Mary's also offers a variety of community education and wellness programs.
Offering a comprehensive approach for all your health needs, from screening and diagnosis to treatment and follow-up support, the staff at HSHS St. Mary's Hospital will support you every step of the way should you need additional imaging, treatment or surgery
HSHS St. Mary's Hospital's approach to health care combines the compassion and human touch of more than a century of caring with the modern technologies available today
Radiating from Decatur's hospitals is a system focused on community health – from wellness centers designed to maintain fitness and prevent disease, to facilities targeted to active seniors or those needing rehabilitative care. The result? Decatur residents are never more than a few miles from the services – or the facility – they need.
CELEBRATING 19 YEARS
OUR CLASSES
• Power Yoga
• Pilates Meets Yoga
• Meditation Groups
• Workshops
• Private Classes
• Wall Yoga
• Power of Movement
• Yoga for All Levels
• Free Community Classes
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C E N T E R E D O N E A C H O T H E R
We put words into action, which is why Decaturites show philanthropy through the ways they run, walk, swing a golf club or team up to donate their time and talents. The collaborative nature of our social service agencies is visible, too, with programs to meet diverse needs and wellsprings of support from residents of every age.
Abraham Lincoln, one of Decatur's favorite sons, probably said it best.
As the story goes, Lincoln was leaving church on Sunday when he was asked his opinion of the pastor's sermon “He had a strong voice, and a good delivery,” Lincoln replied. “But he forgot the most important part of the sermon: to ask us to do something great.”
Chances are Honest Abe would smile on Decatur residents – a group that rarely waits to be asked. We apply “great” to every endeavor, whether it's delivering a meal or running a 10K race. Volunteers are attracted by a plethora of opportunities, including arts/culture, community development, conservation/environment, animals/wildlife, education, health, scholarships, and youth. Our social service agencies are drawn together as well, working in a spirit of collaboration and cooperation to assure no need goes unanswered.
Nearly 250 social service agencies operate in Decatur and Macon County, a total that represents more than 400 programs and about 40 support groups. Services span our communities spectrum of needs, from Baby Talk, which engages Decatur's tiniest residents, to Meals on Wheels and similar programs that assist seniors to live independently
Decatur is home to approximately 300 churches, which form a vibrant, growing, and inspirational segment of our population Alliances transcend diverse denominations, and the influence of our churches radiates from inner-parish programs and services to the community as a whole.
Resources such as the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation help pave residents’ philanthropic paths in three counties – Macon, Moultrie and Piatt. Under the Foundation’s umbrella is The Legacy Group, a collection of more than 75 local professional firms and nonprofit organizations that encourage residents from all walks of life to designate charitable gifts in their wills or estate plans. In 2024 foundation donors and endowment funds resulted in over $9 million being directed in community grants and the foundation surpassed $60 million in assets.
United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois also provides an opportunity for every resident and business to impact our community Hundreds of volunteers fuel annual campaigns, which result in over $1.6 million directed back to United Way-endorsed organizations representing youth development, community basics, and access to healthcare.
Whether we run, walk, golf or donate food, our deeds often define how we support – and remember each other
Every year, thousands of participants and volunteers unite for community events that memorialize those whose lives have touched our city, and to support the causes they hold dear. New in 2025 is the Chris Oberheim Memorial Baseball Tournament to benefit the Illinois Chapter, Concerns of Police Survivors (IL COPS).
For over four decades, the Fred Copeland Scholarship Golf Tournament has raised money for junior golf in memory of former Nelson Park golf pro Fred Copeland, who was passionate about involving youth in the sport he loved. And the annual ALZ Wiffle Ball Classic is a fundraiser dedicated to finding a cure for Alzheimer's, increasing awareness, and supporting local and national programs.
In early fall, hundreds of participants take their marks at the start line of the Shoreline Classic – and wish for the ability to walk on water. Tackling the rolling terrain around Lake Decatur, this competitive 15K run and 5K run/walk debuted in 1990 as downstate Illinois' premier road race to raise money for high school track and cross-country programs.
When it comes to energy, Decatur's youth bring vitality to volunteerism as well. Youngsters from preschool to high school learn about leadership and community service through organizations such as local scouting troops, Macon County 4-H, and Young Leaders in Action and Decatur Andreas Ag Academy, both award-winning programs. Encouraging these groups' efforts are a wide network of business and community sponsors. For every child who participates on local youth league baseball, softball, soccer, football, or basketball teams, there's very likely a caring adult on board, too, serving as a coach, booster or team sponsor
The common thread? Decaturites answer the call – whether the need comes from a city here in the States, a country far away, or from the family across the street. For the fourth grader who contributes a crumpled $1 bill and the local businesses that boost philanthropy by thousands of dollars, to the family that volunteers to ring bells during the holidays, Decatur area residents contribute time, talent and treasure today in the spirit of our community's health and wellbeing in the future.
To learn more about all the ways to get involved in the Decatur area community, call the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation at 217429-3000 or go to www.heartofillinois.org.
We lend a hand to each other in times of need — sharing a warm hearth during snowstorms and hanging out with youngsters needing help with homework.
Look at a map of the Decatur area and you'll see a patchwork quilt of communities. About 75 individual neighborhoods make up our town — a number capable of expanding exponentially as we embrace new growth. Each pocket has a history, a personality, and a story to tell. Together, they weave the fabric that is Decatur.
Within our city limits are cottages, condominiums, and colossal lakeside mansions. We host authentic Frank Lloyd Wright gems, quaint Victorian-era cottages, and brand-new Colonials. Our residents live in country settings and climb to city lofts. Neighbors may be a mile away or close enough to chat over the backyard fence. We're developing housing to meet the interests and needs of aging baby boomers, and building our first new downtown urban neighborhood in 50 years.
Almost two-thirds of our residents live in single-family dwellings, but we love to gather. You'll find us closing off streets for block parties and choosing up sides to shoot hoops. We celebrate by walking in our own parades. We lend a hand to each other in times of need — sharing a warm hearth during snowstorms and hanging out with youngsters needing help with homework. Our hammers and hearts come together to build for Habitat for Humanity. Togetherness has a history here.
DOWNTOWN'S DOMESTIC SIDE
Although the downtown business map has changed a bit over the years, local life still revolves around the original city boundaries.
Brick streets that hearken to yesteryear tie the city's historic west side to the downtown district. Improvements along this West Main Street corridor also include a new multipurpose, paved hiking and biking trail that passes through the Millikin University campus and connects to our popular bike trail through Fairview Park and beyond.
Our revitalization drive connects to quality of life, too. Residents want to live affordably and still be within minutes of work, school, shopping, and restaurants. To this end, Decatur is determined to create a mixed-use, 24-hour living environment in its downtown
Reinvestment is enticing homeowners to our city's core, with increasing numbers of young professionals and empty nesters moving on up to the upper floors of downtown buildings converted to “soft lofts.” With open floor plans and exposed brick and duct work, these renovated spaces exude a quintessential urban feeling.
WEST END HISTORIC DISTRICT
Exploring our many neighborhoods is easy. Most of Decatur's historic gems reside just west of downtown — roughly bounded by Hayward, Eldorado, Church, and Lincoln Park Drive. Street lights have replaced the hitching posts in the historic district, but many of these stately dwellings stand today restored to their former glory
You'll find homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and other architectural marvels located next door to renovated Victorian mansions built by Decatur's founding families including Millikin, Oglesby, and Powers.
Just west of Millikin University in the West End neighborhood, the cozy 1920's and 1930's-era homes are so popular they often trade by word of mouth alone. Street strolling is a daily constitutional in this neighborhood, a fact made even more popular by the area's network of paved trails through nearby parks. On July 4, Cobb Avenue residents stage their very own parade — an event that enjoys a 50-year plus neighborhood history
LAKEFRONT LIVING
The south and east sides of Decatur enjoy close proximity to the shores of Lake Decatur. Stately homes offering panoramic lake views in Southmoreland, Bayshore, Lake Pointe and The Reserve mingle with lakefront cottage and bungalow neighborhoods in Homewood Fishing Club and Lake Grove Club, all designed for life on the water Follow Country Club Road north to Airport Road where you'll find new homes in Country Club Estates mingling with sprawling lakefront property on both sides.
SUBURBAN LIFE
Southeast to Mt. Zion
The southern boundaries of Decatur are home to established neighborhoods in South Shores where you'll find an eclectic mix of grand homes ranging from those nestled among stately trees on Allen Bend to the Wildwood subdivision that borders the famed Red Tail Run Golf Club designed by legendary golfer Raymond Floyd.
Heading southeast on Lost Bridge Road you'll arrive at the Home of the Braves - prep sports is a popular pastime in Mt. Zion. You'll discover the focus is on family with sprawling new subdivisions and country homes in this bedroom community just minutes from Decatur
The Estates at Ashland, Silver Leaf, Parkside East and Carrington offer new construction convenient to schools and village amenities.
Buck Head lies to the east offering new building lots with sweeping views of the rolling prairie. In the planning stages is Summerfield, a new development of affordable homes in the Long Creek area.
These neighborhoods border Fletcher Park, a recent village recreation area development, offering a covered amphitheater, park pavilion, and wide open spaces perfect for family fun and entertainment. And, Spitler Woods State Park, a 202-acre state natural area with hiking trails, picnic areas and camping.
North to Forsyth
Built in the 60's and 70's, the northern boundaries of Decatur include Shadow Lane and Cresthaven subdivisions boasting large treed lots and walkable neighborhoods with easy access to shopping and entertainment. Added in the 90's, new subdivisions were built with sweeping views of Hickory Point Golf Course, an award winning public course.
The Village of Forsyth offers small town living in the country Stevens Creek and other new subdivisions have grown out of the surrounding prairie with new homes in Grayhawk and Shadow Ridge Estates. The Forsyth Village Park hosts family picnics, reunions, annual festivals and league sports, and a trail system offers hiking and biking opportunities that connects to Decatur's bike trail system.
Room To Grow
While lofty apartments and new subdivisions attract young professionals and families, assisted living centers are being constructed in every corner of the city. Our older residents now have the advantages of assistance with everyday needs while enjoying the company of friends and family in a home-like setting. Other developments throughout our community are planned subdivisions targeted to “active seniors.”
There's a home for everyone in Decatur, and the spirit of “togetherness” that initially characterized our neighborhoods still defines these areas today. New housing developments, along with renovations of historic homes, are our welcome mats to a city known for hospitality
N I C H E F A R M I N G
“We have neglected the truth that a good farmer is a craftsman of the highest order, a kind of artist.” – Wendell Berry
It takes a pioneering spirit to become a farmer, particularly a specialty farmer. Many such farmers exchange successful careers in other fields for a life they hope will be simpler and more rewarding. Others simply fall into the business, growing more produce than their families can consume and selling the excess.
Andrew Zeaman of Zeaman Farms in Maroa had a taste of farming life as a child, growing strawberries on his parents' farm in Cowden. When he and his wife bought a house with 10 acres, it was only natural for him to grow food crops for his family
by meredith jackson | photography by julie scheuler
“The transition into a business happened because I grew all this stuff and had more than I knew what to do with,” Andrew says. “I started going to farmers markets in Decatur and Bloomington, and then I quit my job of 17 years and decided to make a go of farming.”
Andrew has indeed made a go of it, specializing in wholesale pumpkin farming and supplying thousands of pumpkins to The Great Pumpkin Patch in Arthur for a season. Now, he supplies Rader Family Farms in Bloomington
Along with their pumpkin crop, Andrew and his family grow flowers (including dahlias and lavender), strawberries, cantaloupe and vegetables — all using organic processes. Though Andrew's wife, Leslie, and his two stepchildren, Braden and Ryanne, help him as needed, it's not unusual for Andrew to spend 60 hours a week or more working the farm, in addition to time spent selling produce and flowers at the farmers markets.
“I think that's the best part of it for me, making people feel happy about what they are consuming,” Andrew says. “I like seeing people's faces when they tell me they enjoyed the strawberries or cantaloupe — things I grew myself.”
Mariah Anderson is of the same mind. She and her husband, Greg, enjoy serving and conversing with customers at their farm, Triple M Farm: Mariah's Mums & More, in Clinton.
“We have seen kids grow up as they've come out here with their families each year,” Mariah says. “I think we really understand our customers and what they want. That's what has helped us provide such variety and diversity in what we do.”
Of course, the Andersons' farm is most famous for its namesake mums, which the couple began selling in 2009.
“We grew 300 mums just for fun and then sold them at the Apple and Pork Festival in Clinton that fall,” Mariah says. “Then we reached out to other farms and our local grocery store to see if they would get mums from us, and that's how it all started.”
This year, Triple M Farms is growing more than 20,000 mums to sell — and not just any mums, either. They offer 30 to 35 unique mum varieties, beyond what one might see in a big-box store. In 2022, 15,000 customers stopped by to purchase the flowers.
Throughout the growing season, the Andersons offer zinnias, vegetables, melons and — perhaps most delicious of all — hydroponic strawberries, available to pick June through October. The strawberries are grown in tiered towers in a protected area, allowing anyone of any age or ability to pick in comfort.
Carrie Stephens of Prairie View Farm in Oakley also began her farming enterprise in a small way: by selling 320 pies. About 14 years ago, she needed extra money to travel so that she could see her son graduate from boot camp before he left for Iraq.
“My daughter suggested I could make and sell pies to raise the money,” Carrie says. “I made 320 pies, just apple caramel pecan, in six weeks. And I made $3,000.”
The Stephens' son returned safely from Iraq, and a new business was born for Carrie and her husband, Rick.
After a move from Indiana to central Illinois, the Stephens family purchased a five-acre hobby farm in Oakley. There, they established an orchard, beehives, raised garden beds and chickens. They opened Prairie View Farm about a year and a half ago. Carrie also became state and county certified as a cottage baker. Her recipes are approved and tested by health department officials.
“A lot of (the certification process) is practical and deals with safety and cleanliness in the kitchen,” she says. “It takes time to do it, but if you want to sell your goods, it's a great opportunity.”
Carrie sells her products, including her now-famous apple caramel pecan pie with a crunch topping, at markets in Decatur, Argenta, Forsyth and Warrensburg. Through these markets, she has met kindred spirits and encouraged them in pursuing their own cottage industries.
“Don't undersell yourself,” she says. “If you have a skill that other people do not have or have a product to offer, there are those who would love to have your product. You'll have to work hard, but that's okay! It gives you a reason to get up every day.”
One of these kindred spirits is Leslie Kapper of The Homeplace Flower Farm in Niantic. Needing a mental and physical break from her nursing career, Leslie undertook preparations in fall 2021 to begin selling flowers the following spring. With advice from Indiana flower farmer friend Amanda Wilderman, Leslie and her husband ran water lines, planted bulbs, and started perennial and annual flowers from seed indoors.
“That first year, I offered my flowers on social media, letting people know I had bouquets,” Leslie says. “From there, I started doing bouquets for markets, including The Perfect Pair in Warrensburg.”
From The Homeplace Flower Farm, Leslie also sells buckets of flowers in coordinating colors and creates table decor for events. Currently, she is growing flowers to use in her two sons' upcoming weddings. The addition of a two-year-old foster son to the Kapper household this year has altered some plans for her flower farm — but it is all for the best, she says.
“His coming has extended my time away from nursing, and I can be at home with him,” she says. “As much time as I spend with it, probably 40 to 50 hours a week, the farm is secondary to family life.”
Leslie has been surprised at the joy she finds in the creativity and vitality of being a flower farmer. “I thought I would be more of a grower, but I really enjoy creating bouquets, something that people will take into their own homes. Bringing joy to other people is fun to do.”
“And I've learned some interesting life lessons,” Leslie adds. “The more you cut flowers, the more growth you will get from them. I've learned about that, about cutting away to grow and enjoy life.”
Meredith Jackson thoroughly enjoyed following along on the heartfelt journey with all these wonderful farmers.
city links
LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES
CITY OF DECATUR
217-424-2700 www.decaturil.gov
VILLAGE OF MT. ZION
217- 864-5424 www.mtzion.com
VILLAGE OF FORSYTH
217-877-9445 www.forsyth-il.gov
MACON COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING www.maconcounty.illinois.gov
REAL ESTATE/RENTALS
MOVING & STORAGE
www.business.decaturchamber.com/list
UTILITIES
Gas/Electric Service AMEREN ILLINOIS
800-755-5000 www.ameren.com/illinois
City Water/Sewer Service
DECATUR WATER DEPARTMENT
217-424-2841 www.decaturil.gov/departments
CABLE/INTERNET/WI-FI/ PHONE
XFINITY/COMCAST
800-934-6489 www.xfinity.com
AT&T 855-950-1681 www.att.com
NON-EMERGENCY NUMBERS
DECATUR FIRE DEPARTMENT
217-429-5201
Important contact information to help get your home or office move-in ready.
DECATUR POLICE DEPARTMENT
217-424-2711
MACON COUNTY SHERIFF 217-424-1311
CITY/COUNTY SERVICES
MACON COUNTY EMERGENCY ALERT Notification System www.maconcounty.illinois.gov
HEALTHCARE
DECATUR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
217-876-8121
www.memorial.health/decatur
HSHS ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL 217-464-2966
www.hshs.org/st-marys-decatur
AMBULANCE SERVICE Abbott EMS 217-262-8969 www.amr.net
AIR EVAC LIFETEAM 182 217-208-7630 www.lifeteam.net
AIRPORT
DECATUR AIRPORT
217-428-2423
www.decatur-parks.org/decatur-airport
EDUCATION
REGIONAL OFFICE OF EDUCATION 217-872-3721 www.maconcounty.illinois.gov/departments/e ducation-office/
MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY 217-424-6211 www.millikin.edu
RICHLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE 217-875-7200 www.richland.edu
CAREERS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION www.decaturedc.com/careers
SPORTS/RECREATION/AFTER SCHOOL
DECATUR PARK DISTRICT 217-422-5911 www.decatur-parks.org
MACON COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT 217-423-7708 www.macouncountyconservation.org
YMCA 217-872-9622 www.decaturymca.org
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
HEART OF IL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 217-429-3000 www.maconcountygives.org
