Belleville

Belleville is a city in southwestern Illinois, just a few miles east of the Mississippi River. Around the rectangular main square, administrative buildings, small shops, and older residential streets with tree-lined sidewalks line up in quiet blocks.

George Blair founded the town in 1814 and moved the county seat from Cahokia, laying out the central square as part of the original design. In the second half of the 19th century, many German immigrants settled here and opened workshops and small factories.

During the 19th century, German-speaking families moved here and founded societies that still organize concerts and festivals today. In some neighborhoods, two-story brick houses with front yards remain, typical of midwestern settlements from that era.

The town is easy to explore on foot, especially around the main square, where short walks lead to cafes, shops, and public buildings. Three light rail stations connect the center to other places in the St. Louis area, making it possible to arrive without a car.

In the first half of the 20th century, so many factories here produced stoves and heaters that people called the town the Stove Capital of the country. The local library is considered the oldest public library in Illinois and still holds collections from the founding period.

Location: St. Clair County

Inception: 1814

Elevation above the sea: 157 m

Website: https://belleville.net

GPS coordinates: 38.52167,-89.99528

Latest update: December 13, 2025 15:57