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:
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On average, homes in Jacksonville, IL sell after 38 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Jacksonville, IL over the last 12 months is $150,000, up 7% 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
Welcome to this beautifully maintained 4-bedroom, 2-bath home in the heart of historic Jacksonville! This charming property features stunning wood floors, tall ceilings, and an abundance of natural light throughout. The bright white kitchen offers a fresh, modern feel while maintaining the home’s classic character. A spacious main-floor bedroom adds convenience and flexibility. Situated on a
1 acre lot located in a prime kinda country seconds from town on MOUND ROAD . Thinking of building a home ..take a drive west at the edge of town .. dreams do come true .. sunrises and sunsets better when across road is fields of farming ground .. 1 acre ... well on the property .. buy it as an investment .. rare find .....
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
Opportunity knocks! This 2-bedroom, 1-bath home is perfect for investors, flippers, or anyone ready to take on a project. Offering a great layout and tons of potential, this handyman special is being sold as-is. Some hard work could go a long way — don’t miss your chance to transform this property.
48 HOUR NOTIFICATION NECESSARY ! INVESTOR ALERT. THIS PROPERTY IS LISTED AT $78,500. CURRENTLY UNDER SECTION 8 OWNER WOULD LIKE TO STAY. RENT IS COMING IS AT $600. SELLER IS SELLING 3 PROPERTIES .. AS A PACKAGE DEAL OFFERS AS FOLLOWS.PACKAGE OFFER BUY 3 FOR $185,000 PROPETIES FOR $185 THIS HOME AT 846 W RAILROAD -1609 LAKEVIEW TERRACE AND 848 W RAILROAD- SELLER IS SELLING ALL "AS IS" IF ONE HOUSE
Solid 3 bedroom home (could be used as 4) with lots of space and many updates - Entire 2nd floor completely remodeled down to the studs. Newer HVAC, WH, Elec. panel, Many newer windows. Walk-up floored attic. A lot of house at this price point.
Incredible opportunity in Jacksonville, Illinois! This unique 2.54-acre property, formerly old railroad tracks, offers a depth of 100 feet that spans from Independence Ave. to Lafayette Ave. Endless potential awaits with this expansive piece of land!
THIS MODERN STONE RANCH FEATURES CLEAN LINES - SPRINKLES OF NATURAL STONE BLENDS CHARACTER AND CHARM WITH HIGH END MODERN MATERIALS. THE STRIKING PARTIAL STONE FRONT FACADE SETS THE BAR HIGH - STEP INTO A " DRAMATIC BALLARDS" STYLE SLATE FOYER - OFFERING SITE LINES TO THE MOST AMAZING BACK YARD! - MARK IT "SOLD" IT IS BREATHTAKING! MAGAZINE OWRTHY IT IS LIGHT AND AIRY - BATHED IN NATURAL LIGHT,
It's all about location...and here you have it! All brick ranch in excellent condition. Quality built and original owners. A very functional floor plan with 4 bedrooms, main floor laundry, large eat-in kitchen with island, formal living and dining rooms...a great home for gatherings - inside and out! .82 acres! A very large lot in the west end! This home has updated hardwood floors, steel beam
Newly Renovated 48 unit complex offering 1-3 Bedroom units ready to occupy, the perfect place to make your next home in Morgan County at 800 Illinois Avenue, Jacksonville, Illinois. We offer flexible leasing terms and large rental space as per the market standards with new appliances and amenities on the premises. Water, sewer and trash are provided. The only utlity the resident is responsvble
Laborers’ Home Development IV (LHD IV) at 1335 S. Diamond in Jacksonville, Ill., offers independent living for persons age 62 or older and those with disabilities*.An active Tenant Council hosts monthly meetings and organizes activities such as potluck dinners, crafts, and musical entertainment to encourage participation and fellowship among residents.Local area programs providing
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