Jumer's—1975—Photo by Roger Wollstadt
The other day while driving to TT’s BBQ, I passed an iconic Peoria Building that used to be known as Jumer’s Castle Lodge. Sometime in the early 2000’s it was bought by The Radisson hotel chain and then it closed its doors in 2009. In 2010 it reopened as Courtyard Estates, which is a senior, independent living home. As I drove by, I wondered if there’s anything left from the old Jumer’s Castle Lodge inside of the place. We know where the big black bear ended up, but I wondered what, if anything, from the past remained inside. Today we find out as we head to the place that used to be...Jumer’s Castle Lodge.
We're rolling down Western Avenue and I see the pointy top of the building up ahead.
I think this is the original archway that leads into the parking lot. Let's park and take a look around the place.
The building itself hasn't changed at all. Still looks like a little slice of Bavaria on the West Bluff of Peoria.
Except instead of a Jumer's Castle Lodge sign out up front, there's one for Courtyard Estates, which owns the building now.
I bet this coat of arms has been on this stone wall since the beginning.
Here's a shot of the building from another angle.
This is the back of the building. It's been kept up quite nicely and gives you a feeling of being in the past looking at it.
Speaking of the past, check out this artwork on the wall over here...
You know this art is from the old days, very cool!
This used to be the entrance to the restaurant.
Anybody else hungry for a cinnamon roll right now?
The doors still have the ornate gold handles on them but sadly they're locked.
Let's go over to the Main Entrance and see if we can get inside over there.
This is where the hotel/lodge was located. Check out the "Lodge" sign on the upper right. I think it's great that they've left things like that from the past hanging.
It looks the same back here as it did decades ago, let's go in and see what's happening inside.
I'm almost certain that that's the original wooden front desk, where you would check in here.
After taking that photo I met, Brittany who's the Director of The Facility here at Courtyard Estates and she confirmed that this is indeed the original front desk and she told me that much of the furniture and fixtures in here are from the days when it was Jumer's Castle Lodge. She said I could wander around and take some photos, so let's start wandering!
The furniture in here is very impressive.
I'd say it's the perfect time to get a photo of this magnificent clock.
Obligatory lobby mirror shot!
I remember the bar used to be down at the end of this hallway, let's see what's there now.
Clippings from past PJ Star articles hang on the wall here.
"Castle Lodge offers a royal getaway on the Peoria bluff." That's the original owner of Jumer's Castle Lodge, Jim Jumer standing in front of the building from days gone by.
Check it out, there's the original "lounge" sign on the brick wall back here! I feel like it's 1977 again!
Holy shitballs! It's the lounge...do you think the original bar is in here?
It's here! The original bar, this is too cool, it's just the way I remember it! Now if only Lloyd were behind the bar, this would be the perfect Shining-like moment!
Tables and chairs fill up the room behind the bar.
A shot of the bar from the other end. Check out the stained glass on the wall behind the bar.
Vintage German beer steins and plastic grapes line the railing that hangs just below the ceiling in here.
I'd love to fill one of these babies up with beer, but sadly there's no bartender on duty today.
This was a fun tour, but it looks like it's time to say, "Good Knight and we'll see you all tomorrow!"
Courtyard Estates
117 N Western Avenue
Peoria
309-674-2400
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