Edwardsville - Glen Carbon

Edwardsville and Glen Carbon offer some of the finest living in SW Illinois … wonderful places to live and raise a family. They are historic communities, with charming older features and a strong sense of continuity with the past. Yet they enjoy the most modern of conveniences and dynamic, but nicely controlled growth, while managing to preserve a special heritage.

The communities enjoy both business and residential development, while they have also managed to maintain their small-town appeal. Great friendliness and citizenship are hallmarks.

The geography is outstanding and the location superb. All of the Metropolitan St. Louis area is within easy driving, for work or play, with a convenient dual accessibility to both downtown and North St. Louis County via easily accessible interstates. Both towns are appealing choices for professionals who commute to work in St. Louis and other surrounding communities as well as for those entering the dynamic local business and professional community.

Briefly, here are their major features:

Residential communities offering a broad range of housing and a quality of life hard to beat anywhere.

Outstanding public and private schools.

A fine topography…rolling uplands, high on the bluffs, fringedwith woods.

Great and growing local support services and businesses.

A college town!

A County Seat!

Small town livability; identity, citizenship levels that can't be beat; uncommon friendliness and community pride.

Convenient and easy access to the inner city.

Broad ranges of housing from which to choose and great resaleability.

In the census of 2000, placing both communities at the top of growth in SW Illinois:

Edwardsville and Glen Carbon are sister communities, both in the Township of Edwardsville, in the County of Madison. Edwardsville Township enjoys these top positions in downstate Illinois (south of Chicago); the highest mean and median incomes, the lowest unemployment rate and the highest educational levels.)

The towns have a long common border interfacing with each other, (generally, Center Grove Road.) They have slightly different forms of government. Edwardsville is a "city" with "aldermanic" structure. Glen Carbon is a "village" with the "trustee" form of government. Most citizens won't note any differences.

But there are very important common bonds: both communities (along with others) are in the Edwardsville Community Unit School District, and both enjoy a similar reputation of great livability. Newcomers will not see big differences, as in newer homes....both offer new and preowned housing in significant numbers....both share the same great school district, both have outstanding citizenship and both should enjoy top resaleability. The police and fire departments are different....as of course are the addresses. Because of the common features, we look upon them almost as a single community.

They lie at the crest of the "bluffs", a couple of hundred feet above the Mississippi River and the "American Bottoms", the old flat, flood plain of the river, (across which we commute.) The bluff topography could be described as a gently rolling upland, fringed with woods. Woods are preserved in many back yards and parks, and tree lined streets are the hallmark of both towns.

Edwardsville is a much older community however,....established as a land office center for the U. S. Government in 1814, four years before Illinois became a state, and considered only the third real city founded in the state, (behind Shawneetown and Cairo.) It was named after Ninian Edwards, the Territorial Governor from 1809 until 1818, who became the first Governor when statehood was accomplished in 1818. A great deal of Illinois' early history was made here, and 5 of the first 6 governors of the state came from the area.

The historically important Kickapoo Indian treaty was signed here, where the Kickapoo's ceded the north part of Illinois to the U. S. and other rich historical events dot Edwardsville's history, (see separate history section.) The "Land of Goshen"....the land of milk and honey, was the name given to this area, as we've described in our introduction.

When statehood was obtained, in 1818, Madison County was huge, stretching into what is now Wisconsin, and Edwardsville was named the County Seat. That status has continued until today, although Madison County is now only one of 102 counties in Illinois. But with a county population now approaching 280,000, that's an important function, bringing a great deal of political and economic activity to town, and contributing to uncommon downtown viability.

While most of the early residents of Edwardsville were of English extraction, emigrating from Kentucky and other eastern states, the rural area came to be occupied by Germans, immigrating into the county directly from all parts of Germany. A prosperous countryside made Edwardsville an important trading town, with agricultural and legal support of all kinds available. Horses and buggies crowded alongside main street on Saturdays for many decades in the 1800's, and early 1900's, with autos and trucks finally crowding them out. A street car traversed downtown streets! Our separate history section provides an overview of this fascinating period, that included visits from Abraham Lincoln himself. (See the picture of the cover of "Time", Feb, 1991, quoting from a speech he made in Edwardsville September 11, 1858.)

Glen Carbon is a relative newcomer, established in 1892. It was at first, a coal mining town, hence the name, "Valley of Coal". Some of the pretty "salt box" mine houses still line main street. In the early part of the last century, it endured a rough and tumble reputation, as emigrants from most European states came to work in the mines. Obviously, that reputation is long gone as modern subdivisions match Edwardsville in quality and value, with Glen Carbon's average home value even exceeding that of Edwardsville. (That because it hosts a lot of new construction, with averages only mildly diluted with older housing.) Glen Carbon's residents also have a slightly higher average income....both as we've stated the highest in downstate Illinois.

The flavor of the communities has been greatly influenced by the included presence of Southern Illinois University. This branch of a major state instutution came in the early 1960's with a brand new campus on a 2600 acre tract, provided by the community. It has grown into a major educational facility with undergraduate and graduate programs in a broad range of curricula. It also offers many continuing education and adult programs and many recreational opportunities.

It has 4500 employees, both academic and non academic and is a major economic engine for the communities. When the university first came to town, forty years ago, there was little appropriate local housing available and so many faculty members moved to surrounding communities or even St. Louis. With slow turnover, almost all of the faculty now live within Edwardville and Glen Carbon, making it a true "college town". (See the special section, "Southern Illinois University", and www.siue.edu.)

Other than SIUE, local industry is modest; the communities are classed more as "bedroom" towns. Notable exceptions are Florists' Mutual Insurance and Richards Brick Company. There is quite some growth of smaller industries however....see the list of chamber of commerce members provided.

In recent years, Edwardsville and Glen Carbon have also been increasingly targeted by St. Louis based transferees as one of the most desirable St. Louis area suburbs on either side of the river. It has compelling attractions: It has a great deal of market and builder activity, hence usually the most options from which to choose. It's an easy commute to either downtown (18 miles) or north county (8 miles to the Chain of Rocks Bridge,) so a nice dual accessibility. The commuting is generally very civilized with the sun at one's back, both going and coming.

The quality of construction is generally very good...and the values generally better than one can obtain on the west side of the river. Lot sizes are still quite a bit larger than on the St. Louis side. Newer homes are balanced with streets of charming well-maintained older homes…notably historic St. Louis Street in Edwardsville, where the "mansions" of this county-seat town were built.

Nowadays, we consider the working population of Edwardsville and Glen Carbon to be divided into thirds. One third work locally (including SIUE). About one third work in Illinois based industry...up and down SW Illinois. And one third work west of the river....that percentage growing. (Altogether, 85,000 Illinois residents cross the river daily to employment in Missouri.)

The livability of Edwardsville and Glen Carbon, (as well as a great deal of surrounding territory that includes Hamel, Worden, Moro, Holiday Shores, Pin Oak Township and Fort Russel Township,) is greatly enhanced by the local school system, considered one of the best in the nation, and the recipient of much attention, even nationally. It's supported by a "unit" district....that is, one school board governs the whole public system, both primary and secondary....called Community Unit District 7. While the academic offering takes center stage, with test scores consistently and clearly above state and national averages, the arts and sports programs are also prominent. The music and band programs are broad. And the sports programs are visible throughout the year as boys and girls teams, in all sports, are constant contenders. The baseball teams were state champions in 1996, took second place in 1997, and are always good.

The district enjoys a newly built state-of-the-art high school and there is constant improvement to both buildings and curriculum. A great deal of information is available below. We also have copies of clippings as the local paper, the Edwardsville Intelligencer, reports on all events. Note especially the awards garnered by the system, and the clipping reporting that Money Magazine has named the district one of the top 100 in the whole USA….(when comparing quality of education and cost.)

But superior private and parochial schools are also available….including Catholic and Lutheran grade schools, the non denominational Lahr-Well Academy, with a nearby Montessori program also available.

The Metro East Lutheran High School is located in Edwardsville. About 15 years old, it continues to grow, offering broad academic, art and music programs.

There is a growing local retail community and a host of restaurants. Scattered along Illinois 157 and 159, it seems that there are new ones weekly. Locally, there are a couple of modern supermarkets, one main line (Schnuck's) and one discount, (Shop and Save). Target, Sears Hardware, Wal Mart, KMart, PetsMart, are all represented, and Home Depot has apparently committed to our town. Major retail malls are available for mega shopping within minutes north at Alton, and south at Fairview Heights, with downtown St. Louis only 20 minutes away. Lists of retailers and restaurants are provided below.

An unusual feature is University Park. Built on the SIUE campus, it's a research and technology facility, where scientists, students and corporations work to improve technology and create new products and services.

In a general sense, both communities have wonderful levels of plain community pride and citizenship. The flavor is still almost "small town" where a lot of people know each other, and work with each other in a variety of community activities. Especially prominent are youth sports programs. The university interacts with many of these programs.

There's a marvelous YMCA, with indoor pool and gym, great work-out areas and heavy community programming for all ages.

There are well recognized public libraries in both towns, and the huge SIUE library is also available to the general public.

Service clubs abound (see the lists below). There is a large, outstanding municipal band, one of the oldest, continuous anywhere.

Two newer retirement communities offer services….Eden Village, a project of Eden United Church of Christ, (a local congregation,) and Meridian Village, a United Methodist project.

Eden also offers two child care facilities, and several other pre-school and child care enterprises are conveniently available.

The Madison County Historical Museum is located in Edwardsville, and is enjoying a recent expansion.

The communities offer many recreational activities, including 15 parks, many tennis courts and three public golf courses, A private country club, Sunset Hills Country Club, offers pool and swimming programs, a recognized 18 hole golf course and a fine restaurant, attracting both Missouri and Illinois. It's the center of upscale housing unmatched otherwise in SW Illinois.

There are two bowling alleys, a roller skating rink, and five private swimming pools. There is an outstanding youth-sports program, with ball diamonds scattered throughout both towns.

Summertime picnics and through-the-year parades add punch to life. Edwardsville has had both Veteran's Day and Halloween parades for many years, plus a "Little League" parade, a "Harvest Home" parade, a JC Picnic, and some others. Glen Carbon hosts a huge "Glenfest" parade and picnic.

Both communities are networked with unmatched bike and walking trails. Many older abandoned railroad rights of way have been converted into a wonderful system, connecting with those constructed in and around SIUE.

Within the limits of Edwardsville is Dunlap Lake, a thousand acre lake within a wonderful residential community. Glen Carbon claims Lakewood, a smaller but lovely residential community built around three smaller lakes. And there are many other small lake communities.

Eight miles north of Edwardsville, within the Edwardsville School District and mostly having an Edwardsville address, is "Holiday Shores". Built around a lake of 3,500 acres, it has a population of its own (unincorporated) of about 1000. Here, power boating, swimming and water ski programs are prominent. Many residents work in Missouri, even though the commute is slightly longer.

The local business and professional community is vibrant and growing constantly. Edwardsville/Glen Carbon enjoys a strong 75 year old Chamber of Commerce and a related commercial chamber called "The Alliance".

There are many clubs and organizations in Edwardsville/Glen Carbon including the American Legion Post, the Daughters of the Union Veterans, Goshen Preservation Alliance, Jaycees, Kiwanis, League of Women's Voters, Masonic Lodge of Edwardsville, Moose Lodge, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, two Rotary Clubs, and the Salvation Army.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1299 and Post 2222 rent their halls for receptions, banquets, parties and meetings. The American Legion Post 199 also rents their hall and features Bingo Monday evenings. The American Legion Golf Course is fun and affordable.

The Friends of Leclaire and the Goshen Preservation Alliance support the preservation and awareness of historical structures and sites.

There are many churches of all denominations.

And health facilities are scattered throughout the communities, with Oliver Anderson Community Hospital just a few miles south of Glen Carbon. Other hospitals are available in nearby Alton, Granite City, Belleville and of course, St. Louis, itself well known for its medical facilities.

Altogether, these communities are great places to live, and would be in the "bulls eye" of most home search targets. Many area companies, from both sides of the river, encourage their executives to consider Edwardsville/Glen Carbon.

It's the best of several worlds…it's "small town" living, with its security, recognition, citizenship and involvement, yet within minutes of a major metropolitan center where any kind of employment or recreational opportunities await, via a civilized transportation system second to none.

Because of the high livability factors and real estate market activity, the resale factors are also considered to be excellent....certainly among the highest in SW Illinois.

Within these communities, a broad range of housing opportunities can be found, with high levels of market activity, tending to the upscale. New subdivisions and new-builds are viable options in a range of prices, many with ecologically positive reputations. Here, our company can help in targeting the most promising areas in matching your needs. The housing options locally are tops...numerically high and the broadest in price and style in SW Illinois.

In a real way, the area is still "The Land of Goshen"...."the land of milk and honey".

Team Creations Inc.®
All Rights Reserved 2001 - 2007