Beardstown offers jobs, history and a neighborly atmosphere
The rural community of Beardstown is brimming with friendly residents and job opportunities at JBS, a meat processing factory. “We have midwestern small-town families who know their neighbors and look out for each other,” says Buffy Tillitt-Pratt, Realtor and Buffy Tillitt & Associates. “We also have convenient access to work. JBS, our major employer, is within 5 minutes of anywhere in Beardstown.” The town also takes great pride in its outdoor recreation and its history. “Abraham Lincoln practiced law in our courthouse, and it is the only courthouse in the state where he practiced law that is still an active courthouse,” Tillitt-Pratt says.
Housing includes early 1900s homes and some newer options
Housing ranges from larger two-story homes to smaller Ranch-style houses. Homes here tend to be older, often dating back to the early 1900s. However, there are some newer houses. Properties are around 1,700 square feet, and the median lot size is under a quarter of an acre. Only a few homes have recently sold in Beardstown, and they range in price from around $50,000 to $145,000. Houses stay on the market for an average of 112 days, double the national average of 52 days.
Local schools have hands-on learning and academic variety
Students can attend Gard Elementary, which receives a C score from Niche. Beardstown Middle/High School has a C-plus rating. High schoolers can take classes in agriculture, family & consumer sciences and industrial technology, which includes courses like woods production and welding. Dual enrollment classes are offered through Lincoln Land Community College. Beardstown Christian Academy is a private school for preschool to 12th grade. It currently doesn’t have a score from Niche.
Disc golf, swimming and summer concerts at Beardstown's local parks
Beardstown has seven parks with a variety of amenities. “People like to hunt and fish on the weekend,” Tillitt-Pratt says. “Or they boat on the Illinois River, which is adjacent to Beardstown.” Roberts Park has a pond, a swimming pool and the Schewe Community Center, which contains a full-size gymnasium. Behind Roberts Park is another green space called Art Jones Park. It’s home to a golf driving range, a disc golf course and two playgrounds.
Both parks have several lighted fields and courts. Beardstown Harbor is a marina and campground along the Illinois River. The city has annual events like its Fourth of July celebration and the Beardstown Fall Fun Festival, which has live music, carnival rides and a pageant. Art Zeeck Park is a downtown square that hosts gatherings like Sounds on the Square, a summer concert series.
Dining includes tacos, horseshoes and fast-food chains
Restaurants are mostly concentrated in the city square. There are a variety of options to choose from, but the city specializes in Mexican cuisine. Little Mexico is a brightly decorated eatery known for its tacos. Tyson’s Diner serves a local specialty called a horseshoe. The open-faced meat sandwich is piled high with French fries and cheese sauce.
The city also has a handful of fast-food chains, an antique mall, a pharmacy and a few other small local businesses. “We also have a Walmart Super Center and Tractor Supply store for farming or rural farm needs, like chicken houses and fences,” Tillitt-Pratt says. Save A Lot is the grocery store in town, but there are more shops and restaurants in Springfield.
Route 125 leads to Springfield and its regional airport
The around 45-mile drive to Springfield takes about an hour on Illinois Route 125. It takes around 25 miles to reach Interstate 72. The area is car-dependent, but the West Central Mass Transit District offers demand-responsive transit for those who need it. Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield is the closest major airport. It has direct flights to major cities, including Chicago, Orlando and Denver. Culbertson Memorial Hospital is 12 miles away in Rushville.
