Beloit. What is bad about Beloit? (Kenosha, Newark: school, college, rooftop)

[LML]

Originally Posted by Jean Full

My husband and I are thinking about moving to the northeastern edges of Beloit. I am from Wisconsin originally - Menomonee Falls. Have lived around Dixon, Il. for 40 years. We are looking for a safe, pleasant, friendly area, that is affordable. Not asking alot! LOL. Would that area of Beloit be a good place to consider?

There are some nice new neighborhoods on Beloit's far northeast side. Did you have a particular one in mind?

[JR0709]

I was raised in Beloit. Let me tell you....a lot changed in the span of 20+ years. The house I grew up in and it's neighborhood is no longer what it used to be.

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by JR0709

I was raised in Beloit. Let me tell you....a lot changed in the span of 20+ years. The house I grew up in and it's neighborhood is no longer what it used to be.

Elaborate on that.

[JR0709]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

Elaborate on that.

I think it's no secret that certain parts of Beloit have become run down, crime has gone up. We used to live on the west side of Beloit. We never used to lock our doors growing up. Through high school I noticed is when it started to get bad. Cars were broken into quite frequently, etc. But then again, there are certain parts of Beloit that have seemed to have gotten better.

[LML]

Originally Posted by JR0709

I think it's no secret that certain parts of Beloit have become run down, crime has gone up. We used to live on the west side of Beloit. We never used to lock our doors growing up. Through high school I noticed is when it started to get bad. Cars were broken into quite frequently, etc. But then again, there are certain parts of Beloit that have seemed to have gotten better.

I grew up on the west side, lived on the west side while my kids were in high school, moved away for years, came back, and live on the west side again. It is funny because, while I know that certain neighborhoods on the west side have gone down hill, I have never lived in a neighborhood that didn't appear perfectly safe. The neighborhood in which I grew up was a regular all American Neighborhood where we kids were in and out of each other's homes, knew all the parents, we'd ride bikes all around the city together, etc. The neighborhood where we lived when my kids were in high school was much the same. The neighborhood in which I have come to retire is peaceful and quiet. But, I must sadly admit, that the neighborhood in which I grew up and which was once one of the nicest areas of Beloit, has some bad spots now. It makes me very sad to drive by those homes that were once maintained with so much pride and see how they have been allowed to run down. I think that, as my parents generation grew old and died, these houses became rental property. And while one or two rental properties on a street don't hurt values too much, when the entire street becomes pretty well rental, it really does get run down. However, there are still very nice west side neighborhoods as well as other neighborhoods in Beloit that are in good shape. I think that if someone has lived in the new suburbs of a larger city then they might not appreciate the older neighborhoods as much as someone who has lived in them before.

[JR0709]

Originally Posted by LML

I grew up on the west side, lived on the west side while my kids were in high school, moved away for years, came back, and live on the west side again. It is funny because, while I know that certain neighborhoods on the west side have gone down hill, I have never lived in a neighborhood that didn't appear perfectly safe. The neighborhood in which I grew up was a regular all American Neighborhood where we kids were in and out of each other's homes, knew all the parents, we'd ride bikes all around the city together, etc. The neighborhood where we lived when my kids were in high school was much the same. The neighborhood in which I have come to retire is peaceful and quiet. But, I must sadly admit, that the neighborhood in which I grew up and which was once one of the nicest areas of Beloit, has some bad spots now. It makes me very sad to drive by those homes that were once maintained with so much pride and see how they have been allowed to run down. I think that, as my parents generation grew old and died, these houses became rental property. And while one or two rental properties on a street don't hurt values too much, when the entire street becomes pretty well rental, it really does get run down. However, there are still very nice west side neighborhoods as well as other neighborhoods in Beloit that are in good shape. I think that if someone has lived in the new suburbs of a larger city then they might not appreciate the older neighborhoods as much as someone who has lived in them before.

Most of the homes on my old street are rental properties now. It makes me sad to see many of the homes that were in such good condition be so run down. I remember it being the way as you had said, growing up. We would ride bikes all over the place, sleep in the backyard in tents. Now I would be afraid to do that, or let my own children do that.

[JLSBeloit]

I lived in Beloit all my life. I know we need some improvement. They're are worse towns and cities. Lack of jobs, morals, teaching, parenting, and money is distorting towns all over America. Beloit really isn't bad and it has Hormel, ABC supply, and the Beloit collage witch are three great things. The people here are good people with some bad apples that is common in every town. If we had the money we would be able to fix up what we need to. The crime is not that bad and is in every town no matter where you go. I love my town, even if it is a bit boring.

[OldOnliner]

... They say pictures are worth a thousand words...

Going up the hill to Beloit College last week:


New Ace Hardware store entrance at corner of Broad and Pleasant in downtown Beloit (with Blackhawk Bank and Regal-Beloit HQ's in background):


Riding the trolley across town during Beloit's annual Artwalk:


Trolley ride viewed from the other side (different year):


Heritage View Condo development in downtown Beloit:


Rock River from Newark Bridge, looking north towards Big Hill Park. (During a summer when boating was more popular; the floods of 2008 pretty much ruined the boating season.):


Fairbanks Flats redevelopment. Two years to go...
FROM this:

TO this:


Beloit Memorial High School (along the banks of the Rock River):


New bike/pedestrian path along Shore Drive, on west side of Beloit. This part of the path starts at Maple Avenue, and goes all the way to Krueger Park - Golf Course and Pool - on Beloit West side - about 1.5 miles.


A walk in the woods at Beloit's Big Hill Park:


Along the river, behind Heritage View, in the late fall, looking north:


Beloit College students jogging along old railroad bridge, behind Beloit Post Office. (This is literally one block north of Illinois.):


Fishing below the dam in Beloit, next to the Brown Swiss Building and power plant, along Hwy 51:


Saturday morning in downtown Beloit (in front of Bagels and More and Bushel and Pecks):


Entrance to Riverside Park off Hwy51:


Beckman Mill, 140 year-old restored grist mill, west of Beloit off Hwy 81:


Downtown Beloit Farmer's Market - Saturday mornings May through October - East Grand Avenue, looking east:


Just outside Beloit, between Beloit Memorial Hospital and I-90:


Rooftop view, looking towards the dam and old Beloit Iron Works properties, ABC Supply Co. HQ in background:


Riverside Park lagoon rental paddleboats get wet in the fountains:


Heritage View Murals seen just before the flood peaked in June 2008:


And, finally, a Beloit tradition, sledding at Hospital Hill:

(And there hasn't been a hospital near this hill since 1972.)

Hope you enjoyed the tour...

For more information and photos from Beloit, see the links at:

http://stateline.net/ - Yahoo City of Beloit Club Search Page

or http://flickr.com/oldonliner - OldOnliner's Flickr Photostream

or Flickr: OldOnliner - OldOnliner's Flickr Profile.

[LML]

Great pictures. This is the Beloit I know and love.

[reefrunner9]

Originally Posted by reefrunner9

"the hair on my back rises" edit myself....duh! self edit ex post facto

Had dinner at Cafe Belwah last night, the Bistro as it is now known....wonderful duck and pheasant dish, salad and ambience. A few boisterous bar hounds need to learn volume control. That said, the cheesecake was marvelous. Emmy and Bobby ran the kitchen, the master is away, touche...only $19.95 plus shipping and handling...best restaurant in Rock County...period. EOMM.