Jack Duvall Real Estate Agent with Jim Maloof/REALTOR

Jack Duvall Real Estate Agent with Jim Maloof/REALTOR 25+ yrs experience & 1,000+ homes sold. I help buyers, sellers & relocators across Central IL save time & money. Born here. Raised here. Still here.

Trusted, local, full-time REALTOR® with real results. Real Estate?… Call Duvall!

Hosting an Open House this Sunday 9/6/26 from 2-4pm at 2923 N Sheridan Rd in Peoria.
09/05/2026

Hosting an Open House this Sunday 9/6/26 from 2-4pm at 2923 N Sheridan Rd in Peoria.

08/28/2026

How did we get to the last Friday of August already? ☀️

It seems like summer takes forever to arrive in Central Illinois...and then August disappears in about five minutes. 😄

We're heading into that time of year when you start noticing little changes.

The days are getting shorter.

School is back in session.

Football is starting to creep back into the conversation. 🏈

And before we know it, we'll be talking about cooler temperatures, changing leaves, and everything that comes with fall.

I'm a spring person myself, but I have to admit there are things I enjoy about every season in Central Illinois.

Still, I'm not quite ready to rush summer out the door.

There's another month of warm weather ahead, plenty of baseball left to play ⚾, and hopefully quite a few good evenings to spend outside before we're complaining about how cold it is. 😂

So here's my Friday question...

☀️ Are you trying to hang onto summer as long as possible?

🍂 Or are you already ready for fall?

I have a feeling the fall crowd might win this one!

Whatever side you're on, I hope everyone has a great Friday and a wonderful weekend.

📱 309-200-5480

Jack Duvall, Broker
Jim Maloof/REALTOR®
🌐 CallDuvall.com

08/26/2026

🏛️ Where Did the Name Bartonville Come From?

Many Central Illinois communities were named after Native American tribes, explorers, or famous historical figures. Bartonville's story is a little different.

The village was named after W.C.H. Barton (William C. H. Barton), a member of one of the area's most influential pioneer families. The Barton family arrived in Central Illinois in 1829 and became some of the largest landowners in the region. Their property stretched across more than 1,000 acres near the Illinois River and Kickapoo Creek.

The Bartons were much more than farmers. They were involved in local banking, sawmills, grist mills, a distillery, and local government. A grist mill was one of the most important businesses in a frontier community because it ground corn and wheat into meal and flour for local families. Without mills like these, farmers often had to travel long distances to process their crops.

The Barton family's distillery was also significant. During the 1800s, distilleries were an important part of the Central Illinois economy. Farmers often converted surplus grain into wh***ey, which was easier to transport and sell than raw grain. Over time, distilling would become one of the defining industries of the Peoria area, helping establish Central Illinois as one of the nation's leading wh***ey-producing regions.

The Barton family's businesses helped support both farmers and settlers as the region continued to grow. Their impact on the area's development was so significant that when a post office was established in 1878, it was named Bartonville in honor of W.C.H. Barton. The name has remained ever since.

Long before European settlers arrived, the region was home to Native American tribes, including members of the Illiniwek Confederation. The fertile land, nearby waterways, and abundant natural resources made Central Illinois an attractive place to live for centuries.

As settlement increased throughout Peoria County during the 1800s, farming, coal mining, and industry became important parts of the local economy. Bartonville developed into a hardworking community that helped fuel the growth of the entire Peoria area.

One interesting chapter in Bartonville's history is its connection to the former Peoria State Hospital, which opened in 1902 and became one of the largest mental health institutions in Illinois. Generations of local residents either worked there or had family members who did.

What I find most interesting is that Bartonville wasn't named after a president, explorer, or distant city. It was named after a local family whose businesses, investments, and leadership helped shape the community and contributed to the growth of Central Illinois.

Did you know the Barton family owned more than 1,000 acres in the area? And were you familiar with the important role grist mills and distilleries played in the history of Central Illinois?

Real Estate? Call Duvall!

08/25/2026

🏛️ Central Illinois History You May Not Know

Did you know that automobiles were once manufactured right here in Peoria Heights?

And one of them had a name that sounds like it came straight out of the early days of motoring:

The Glide.

I'll admit, until I started researching my recent post about Grand View Drive, I had never heard of a Glide automobile. That made me curious, and what I found was another fascinating piece of Central Illinois history hiding in plain sight.

The Glide was built by the Bartholomew Company, headed by local businessman and inventor John B. Bartholomew. Production began in the early 1900s, when the automobile industry was still in its infancy and companies all over the country were trying to figure out what this new "horseless carriage" might become.

And these weren't being built in Detroit.

They were being built in Peoria Heights.

📍 Where Was the Factory?

The Bartholomew Company operated at approximately Prospect Road and Seiberling Avenue in Peoria Heights.

At full operation, the plant was producing around 175 Glide automobiles per year. The company offered several different models over the years and even had a pretty catchy advertising slogan:

"Ride in a Glide, Then Decide."

And at least one Glide had a pretty famous passenger.

When former President Theodore Roosevelt visited Peoria in 1910, he toured Grand View Drive in a locally built Glide. That was the famous visit during which Roosevelt reportedly described Grand View Drive as "the world's most beautiful drive."

So picture that: a former President of the United States touring one of Peoria's most beautiful landmarks...in an automobile built just down the road.

🚗 So What Happened to the Glide?

This may be one of the most interesting parts of the story.

Glide wasn't a giant automobile company. Even during its better years, production was measured in the hundreds of cars rather than the hundreds of thousands.

Then the automobile business changed dramatically.

Companies such as Ford figured out how to mass-produce automobiles much more cheaply and in enormous numbers. Other major manufacturers such as Buick and Studebaker were growing as well. Small independent automakers like Bartholomew suddenly faced a very different—and much tougher—business.

Rather than trying to compete indefinitely with the emerging automobile giants, Bartholomew shifted his attention toward the Avery Company, another major Peoria manufacturer that he headed. Glide passenger-car production faded away, and by 1920 the operation was being used to manufacture trucks for Avery.

But here's another part of the story I find fascinating.

The industrial site at Prospect and Seiberling didn't disappear from Peoria Heights history.

It later became home to Premier Malt Products, and eventually the site became associated with Pabst, whose Peoria Heights brewery generations of local residents still remember.

Think about that.

One small area of Peoria Heights went from helping build some of America's early automobiles to becoming part of one of the community's best-remembered brewing operations.

I spend a lot of time driving through the communities I serve as a REALTOR®, and this series keeps reminding me how easy it is to pass a familiar street or intersection without knowing what once stood there.

The next time you're near Prospect Road and Seiberling Avenue in Peoria Heights, remember: more than a century ago, automobiles with the name GLIDE on them were being built right there.

And some of them were heading out onto roads that were probably considerably bumpier than the ones we're complaining about today. 😄

Had you ever heard of the Glide automobile? I hadn't! And did you know automobiles were once manufactured in Peoria Heights?

Jack Duvall, Broker
Jim Maloof/REALTOR®
📞 309-200-5480
🌐 CallDuvall.com
📧 [email protected]

Real Estate? Call Duvall!

08/24/2026

My newest listing at 2923 N Sheridan Rd in Peoria. Move in ready 3-4 Bedroom, 2.5 Bathroom home with 2 car garage & fenced yard. Updated flooring and paint throughout. Remodeled kitchen and upper level bathroom. 18x11 Primary Bedroom. Priced at $185,500

08/24/2026

My newest listing at 2923 N Sheridan Rd in Peoria. It's a move in ready 3-4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home with a 2 car garage and fenced yard. Updated flooring and paint throughout. Priced at $185,500

08/21/2026

I'm really looking forward to this weekend.

My dad is in town visiting from Tennessee, and I'm taking him to spend some time with my daughter and granddaughter.

That means we'll have four generations of our family together. ❤️

Those opportunities are pretty special.

Life gets busy, people live in different places, schedules don't always cooperate, and sometimes you don't realize how meaningful these moments are until you stop and think about them.

I'm fortunate to have a close relationship with my family, and getting my dad, my daughter, my granddaughter, and me together in the same place is something I'm definitely looking forward to.

I'm especially excited for my dad to spend time with his great-granddaughter.

There are plenty of things that can fill up a weekend, but sometimes the best plans are simply being together with the people you love.

I'm planning to enjoy every minute of it.

❤️ How about everyone else?

Do you have multiple generations of your family that are able to get together very often?

Or maybe there's someone you haven't seen in a while that you're looking forward to spending time with soon.

Whatever your plans are, I hope you get to spend at least part of the weekend with someone who's important to you.

Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend, everyone!

📱 309-200-5480

Jack Duvall, Broker
Jim Maloof/REALTOR®
🌐 CallDuvall.com

08/20/2026

It really doesn't take much to put me in a good mood.

A phone call from someone I enjoy talking to.

Spending time with family or friends.

A really good meal.

Getting something accomplished that I've been putting off.

And, apparently, a White Sox win can help quite a bit too. 😂⚾

I've been reminded of that this baseball season. After several pretty rough years as a Sox fan, it's been a lot more fun watching games that actually matter again.

Of course, baseball isn't the only thing.

Sometimes it's the smallest part of the day that ends up being the best part.

A good conversation.

Someone making you laugh.

Hearing from somebody you haven't talked to in a while.

Even having something unexpectedly go your way.

Those things don't sound particularly exciting, but they can completely change the direction of a day.

So let's keep things positive today...

😊 What's something small that can almost always put you in a good mood?

And yes, Cubs and Cardinals fans are allowed to say "a White Sox loss." I'll try not to take it personally. 😂

Have a great Thursday, everyone!

📱 309-200-5480

Jack Duvall, Broker
Jim Maloof/REALTOR®
🌐 CallDuvall.com

08/19/2026

🏛️ Where Did the Name East Peoria Come From?

At first glance, East Peoria seems like one of the easiest community names in Central Illinois to explain. It's simply located east of Peoria, right?

Well, not exactly.

The area that would become East Peoria was first settled in the early 1800s and was originally known as Fondulac, a name given by French settlers. "Fond du Lac" is French for "bottom of the lake" or "end of the lake," referring to its location near the lower end of what is now known as Lake Peoria.

Long before European settlers arrived, Native American tribes, including members of the Illiniwek Confederation, lived throughout the Illinois River Valley. The river provided transportation, food, and trade opportunities for centuries before Illinois became a state in 1818.

Throughout the 1800s, Fondulac developed as an important transportation and commercial center. Its location across the river from Peoria made it a natural hub for trade, river traffic, and later railroad activity. Ferries carried passengers and goods across the Illinois River years before bridges connected the two communities.

As Peoria continued to grow, many people increasingly identified the community on the east side of the river by its relationship to its larger neighbor. In 1884, the Village of East Peoria was officially incorporated, replacing the name Fondulac for the growing community.

The city continued to expand during the late 1800s and early 1900s, eventually becoming home to major industries, including Caterpillar, which would play a significant role in shaping the local economy for generations.

Having lived in East Peoria twice, I've always appreciated the community's unique identity. While many people think of it as simply being across the river from Peoria, East Peoria has a rich history all its own. I also learned to drive in Fondulac Heights, so this community has always held a special place in my memories.

Today, East Peoria is one of the most vibrant communities in Central Illinois, known for its riverfront development, businesses, parks, and beautiful views of the Illinois River Valley.

Did you know East Peoria was originally called Fondulac? And if you've lived in East Peoria, what part of the community brings back the most memories for you?

Real Estate? Call Duvall!

08/18/2026

I usually have a pretty good idea of what my day is going to look like when I get up in the morning.

Then real estate happens. 😄

You can have the entire day planned out, and one phone call can completely rearrange it.

A buyer wants to see a house that just came on the market.

An inspection brings up something that needs attention.

A client has a question.

An offer comes in.

Or something happens during a transaction that suddenly moves to the top of the list.

After more than 25 years in real estate, I've gotten pretty accustomed to changing plans on the fly.

And honestly, that's part of what I like about the business.

I don't sit down every Monday morning knowing exactly what the week will look like. Every day is a little different, and I get to work with different people, different homes, and different situations.

Of course, I still make a schedule.

I just know better than to assume real estate has read it. 😂

I'm curious how everyone else handles their day...

📅 Are you someone who likes everything planned out ahead of time, or are you pretty comfortable changing plans as the day goes along?

I'm probably a little of both at this point!

Have a great Tuesday, everyone!

📱 309-200-5480

Jack Duvall, Broker
Jim Maloof/REALTOR®
🌐 CallDuvall.com

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803 W Pioneer Parkway
Peoria, IL
61615

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