Jacksonville, Illinois: where portable Ferris wheels were born
Home to a famous stop along the Underground Railroad, Jacksonville, Illinois, is the site of one of the Midwest’s first higher-learning institutes. Today, the city is home to more than 17,500 people and major employers like Reynolds Group Holdings, Nestle Beverage Company, and Eli Bridge Company, inventor of the portable Ferris wheel and manufacturer of amusement park rides. In January of 2025, the city began its 200th anniversary celebration, and City Clerk Angela Salyer says the festivities will last throughout most of the year. “We just had our kickoff celebration, which was a gala to celebrate the year,” Salyer says. “There were about 400 people there, and our final event will be October 4th. That will be a downtown celebration with lots of things to do.”
Major employers like Nestle Beverage Company support Jacksonville’s strong local economy.
Woodlawn Farm is a historic site in Jacksonville, known for its role in the Underground Railroad.
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Historic and modern homes
“Jacksonville is known for its Historic District and beautiful older homes,” says Scott Eoff, managing broker at Re/Max Results Plus in Jacksonville. “Most of the newer development is on the outskirts of town, in small subdivisions or in and around some of our golf courses.” The city’s mix of homes ranges from Greek revivals built in the 1800s to modern estates built after 2000. Homes with around 1,000 square feet needing substantial repairs commonly sell for around $50,000, while updated homes with more than 4,000 square feet can sell as high as $500,000. Eoff says condos and townhomes usually sell between $75,000 and $300,000. In 2024, the median home price was $135,000, 8% higher than the previous year. In comparison, the national median home price at that time was around $420,000.
Craftsman-style homes in Jacksonville blend charm with modern updates for comfortable living.
Greek Revival architecture adds grandeur to Jacksonville’s historic neighborhoods.
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Jacksonville School District No. 117
Jacksonville School District No. 117 serves over 3,200 students and earns an overall C-plus on Niche, with an average graduation rate of 73%. The city is also home to the Illinois School for the Deaf and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired. Post-secondary learners can attend Illinois College in the heart of Jacksonville, which offers more than 45 degree programs. “We also have a school for the hearing impaired and a school for the visually impaired,” Salyer says.
Jacksonville's Illinois School for the Deaf caters to individual learning styles.
Athletics at Illinois College build teamwork, discipline, and school spirit in Jacksonville.
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City parks and nearby Lake Jacksonville
There are eight parks in Jacksonville with amenities like playgrounds, a disc golf course, an Olympic-size pool and a golf course. “We have a Ferris wheel in Community Park,” Salyer says. “And we have Nichols Park, which has an 18-hole golf course. It has a pool, too, and we just finished a multimillion-dollar renovation. That’s going to be reopening this summer.” Nearby Lake Jacksonville is the city’s drinking water source and a popular spot for boating and fishing, and has been named one of the top fishing spots in Illinois.
Foreman's Grove Disc Golf Park's frisbee golf course offers fun and fresh air for all skill levels.
Anglers flock to Lake Jacksonville, named one of Illinois’ best fishing destinations.
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A quaint downtown area
“Jacksonville has a thriving downtown that is currently undergoing some economic development and infrastructure updates,” Eoff says. “It’s kind of a Hallmark movie downtown area.” Surrounding Central Park, Jacksonville’s downtown holds bookstores, boutique clothing shops, coffee shops and an upscale Italian market and wine bar. National chains like Burger King and Walmart sit along West Morton Avenue in the city’s southside. The Jacksonville Area Museum preserves the area’s history, while the Illinois Theater provides residents a place to see the latest blockbusters. History buffs can explore nearby Woodlawn Farm, a famous stop on the Underground Railroad.
Jacksonville Area Museum is a top destination for history buffs and families.
The Big Eli mural celebrates Jacksonville as the birthplace of the portable Ferris wheel.
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Car shows and seasonal festivities
Downtown Jacksonville hosts community events like the fall Pumpkin Festival, the Jacksonville Main Street Downtown Summer Concert Series and the Downtown Plaza Car Show and Summer Cruise Nite. For the holidays, homeowners deck the halls and open their doors to the public for the Annual Pilot Club Holiday Home Tour and Tea celebration. The city is also home to the Morgan County Fairgrounds, which hosts the annual Midwestern County Fair.
Streets to walk or drive
Residential streets are mainly laid out in a grid fashion, and sidewalks line at least one side of most streets. Public transportation is limited to the West Central Mass Transit District ride-on-demand service. Main Street leads drivers south to Interstate 72, which they can then take 35 miles east to Springfield, Illinois. Main Street also offers a direct route 83 miles south into downtown St. Louis. Jacksonville Municipal Airport services charter and private flights 3 miles north of the city, while travelers will need to head to Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport for commercial flights.
Fluctuating crime rates, mild weather
FBI data indicates Jacksonville’s property and violent crime rates generally remain lower than state and national averages. Environmental data suggests Jacksonville’s roads and infrastructure face a moderate risk of flood impact over the next 30 years should the Mauvaise Terre overflow its banks, and some residential properties may be at risk. The city's weather tends to be mild, with high temperatures peaking around the mid-80s in July, lows dropping to the low 20s in January, and minimal, easily manageable snowfall throughout the average year.
Written By
Konrad Solberg
Photography Contributed By
Jarrod Bock
Video By
Chris Freeman
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Jacksonville, IL sell after 38 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Jacksonville, IL over the last 12 months is $152,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This home has been recently updated and is move in ready. There are 3 bedrooms on the main level and 2 bedrooms upstairs. At this time, the upstairs is rented, has its own kitchen, bathroom and electrical service. It could easily be remodeled to have 3-4 bedrooms upstairs. There are multiple stained glass windows that are absolutely beautiful! The extra lot to the south allows for offstreet
Auction Listing: This land auction near Arcadia in Morgan County, Illinois offers 162.42 reasons for you to take a closer look! These three gorgeous tracts will be the talk of the neighborhood where few opportunities to purchase high-quality farmland come available. Tracts 1 and 2 are nearly entirely tillable, boast Class A soil productivity averages, and drain well due to the strategic placement
Once a school building, this one-of-a-kind property offers incredible potential with both residential and commercial spaces under one roof. The main floor is currently zoned residential and features tenant-occupied units, while the lower level—complete with a full gymnasium, locker rooms, and commercial zoning—opens the door to countless opportunities for business or community use. Plenty of
Excellent opportunity to build some sweat equity quick! This quality home boasts over 1800 main floor square feet with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a cozy family room off the kitchen. 2 fireplaces. Enclosed back porch has heat. NEW 200 amp breaker box. Cute kitchen with appliances. Lots of windows allowing natural light. Fantastic closet space and excellent storage. Basement has a dewatering system in
Nestled atop a stately 1919 brick brownstone along the prestigious West State Street corridor, this rare condominium offers over 2,300 square feet of character, charm, and convenience. Featuring two spacious bedrooms, two full baths, a dedicated den, and multiple inviting living spaces, this home provides the comfort of a single-family residence with the ease of condominium living. Rich in
Lovely two story home on a corner lot with 2,446 square feet of living space and a large backyard. On the main level is a kitchen with oak cabinets (refrigerator & stove convey), dining room with built-in China cabinet, den, full bath, large family room, utility closet with washer & dryer staying, a living room (with pocket doors) and front foyer. The upper level has four bedrooms plus a full
Spacious 2 bedroom 1 bath with very large rooms. Nice two Car detached garage. Nice Size Kitchen! Large dining room and very large 26-15 Living room. Possible attic expansion. Needs a little TLC. Great potential.
Price Reduction, Motivated Seller!! Situated on 1.36 acres in town, this spacious brick ranch offers a rare combination of space, versatility, and location. Featuring 4 bedrooms, a dedicated office, 2 Full bathrooms, and a half bath. This home provides plenty of room for a family guests or working from home. Inside you'll find a huge living room and a generous dining area, perfect for
Check out this turn key investment property in Jacksonville. This home boasts 3 beds and a full bath with decent updates inside. Luxury vinyl plank throughout and in a quiet part of the North-East side of Jacksonville. This home has a long term tenant who would like to stay.
Recently Renovated One Bedroom, One Bathroom Downtown Apartment. The Residence Features a Spacious Living Room, Master Bedroom Equipped with a Walk-in Closet, Personal Laundry Room, and an Attractive Courtyard. All Utilities are Included in the Monthly Rent. No Smoking. No Pets Allow Owner is a Licensed Real Estate Broker
Check out this spacious 5-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom house. This home features a formal dining room, one convenient bedroom on the main level, a full basement with excellent storage potential, and a garage. The property is filled with lots of natural light throughout, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere. No smoking permitted. No pets allowed.
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