Christopher offers small-town living near Rend Lake
Christopher is a city of about 3,000 people in Franklin County, Southern Illinois. A former mining town and trading hub for area farmers, the community today has retained its agricultural character, with relatively affordable homes and businesses along the highway corridors. Residents have easy access to local shopping, restaurants, public schools as well as major state routes, making the community self-sufficient for small-town living. Those seeking outdoor and water recreation near the city can explore the nearly 19,000-acre Rend Lake, about 15 miles away in Benton. Additionally, the larger city of Marion is approximately 25 miles away, offering more shopping and entertainment options. “Christopher is a more rural, smaller community outside of Benton,” says Alec Childers, local residents of Southern Illinois and broker at House 2 Home Realty. “There’s one main road, Victor Street, with a couple of nice shops and restaurants. It’s a smaller market, but it’s got the location proximity to things like Marion and Rend Lake for recreation and entertainment.”
Single-family homes in Christopher
Surrounded by stretches of active farmland, houses in Christopher stand alongside narrow roads and gridded street blocks. Mature oaks and pine trees shape the landscape, and some streets are lined with sidewalks. The city’s housing stock has a mix of cottages, Minimal Traditional houses and ranch-styles built throughout the 1900s. Single-family homes start around $45,000 and can go up to $230,000, and many have open lawns and small gardens. Fixer-uppers can go between $10,000 and $40,000, while mobile and manufactured homes are from $40,000 to $110,000. “There can be some really impressive older builds in Christopher,” Childers says. “Many are from the 1920s and are built with brick. Again, the market is smaller so it’s not as active of a market.”
Shopping and dining options along Route 148
Restaurants and businesses are concentrated around Route 148 corridor. Larry's Pit BBQ serves breakfast classics, daily specials and traditional American food. Las Ollas has casual Mexican fare, margaritas and karaoke nights. Located along Egyptian Avenue, Bowlins Foodland and Dollar General cover grocery needs and daily essentials. Locals can also go to the farmers market at Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. Walmart is over 5 miles east in Benton.
Outdoor places include parks, lakes and trails
Dennison Park has several sports fields, and Christopher Park features play areas. Rend Lake is about 15 miles north, offering many opportunities for fishing, swimming, water skiing, boating and camping. Winding along the lake, the pave d Rend Lake Bike Trail is over 20 miles long and offers views of the water.
Public school systems that serve Christopher
The city is served by several school systems, including Christopher Unified School District No. 99 and Zeigler-Royalton Community Unit School District No. 188. Christopher Elementary School earns a C-plus grade from Niche. For sixth through eighth grade, students may attend Zeigler-Royalton High School, which rates a C. Christopher High School has a C-minus, offering volleyball, golf, football and cross country sports teams. John A Logan College, a two-year community college, is about 10 miles away.
Distance to Marion and St. Louis
Several state routes run through the community, including Illinois Routes 14 and 148. Marion is about 25 miles south via Interstate 57, and St. Louis Lambert International Airport is approximately 110 miles northwest. Franklin Hospital is 10 miles east in Benton.
Events and celebrations in Franklin County
The city’s annual fall festival features a pumpkin pie eating contest, pumpkin carving, games, crafts and food. Taking place every August at Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, about 10 miles west of the community, the Du Quoin State Fair has live entertainment, livestock and horse shows, cooking contests, a twilight parade and carnival rides. The fairground also hosts many reputable horse races, including the World Trotting Derby and the Hambletonian.
