Jonesboro offers access to shopping and the great outdoors
Jonesboro is a small town in the Shawnee Hills of Southern Illinois. It shares close ties with its larger neighbor, Anna, with which it effectively forms a twin community. Apart from its role as the county seat of Union County, Jonesboro is best known for its proximity to Shawnee National Forest and as the site of one of the seven historic debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. “It’s a pretty quiet place,” says Realtor Stephen Cannedy of Shamrock Real Estate. “There’s not too much to say about it, which I don’t think is a bad thing. It’s right next to the national forest and close to the Mississippi, close to shopping in Anna. If you like the outdoors, it’s great.”
An assortment of modest midcentury homes
The local housing stock is mostly made up of early-to-mid-20th-century cottages, ranch-style homes and split-levels. However, well-maintained historic 2-story properties and larger modern builds can also be found in and around town. A majority of Jonesboro’s residential real estate is located on the town’s main grid, offering moderate yards and longstanding shade trees. Prices generally mirror those in Anna: move-in ready properties generally sell for between $75,000 and $190,000, though specialty-built homes in the city outskirts can go for more.
Close to Shawnee National Forest
Perhaps the city’s defining feature is its proximity to outdoor spaces. Shawnee National Forest and Trail of Tears State Forest are immediately west of town, offering thousands of acres of scenic forest and unique rock features. The forests are popular spots for camping, hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and rock climbing. “People think of Southern Illinois as more rural,” says Cannedy. “But actually, it has a really unique landscape: hills and canyons and forests. Really great for hiking or getting outdoors.”Lincoln Memorial Park, which commemorates Jonesboro’s 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debate, features walking grounds and a fishing pond. Anna City Park is less than a mile east of Jonesboro and offers athletic fields and a playground. Union County Country Club, a public 18-hole course, is just south of the park.
Lots of retail in nearby Anna
Retail options in Jonesboro are limited, but Broad Street, the town’s main thoroughfare, is home to a small but well-regarded selection of eateries. These include the longstanding Dixie Barbecue diner and quaint Mom’s Kitchen. Residents usually head over to Anna to get their shopping done. Jonesboro’s larger neighbor has a small historic downtown area and is home to the local Walmart and Kroger supermarket. Anna is also home to the nearest major hospital, Deaconess Illinois Union County, a major employer in the area.
Anna-Jonesboro public schools
Jonesboro Elementary School, which serves grades K-8, has an A-minus rating on Niche, while Anna-Jonesboro High School has a C-plus. The high school offers dual credit courses through a partnership with Shawnee Community College, which has a campus in east Anna.
The Union County Fair draws crowds every summer
Events in Jonesboro often overlap with those in Anna. The Union County Fair at Anna City Park, held annually since the mid-19th century, features livestock shows, a demolition derby and concerts.
Public transit through Shawnee MTD
State routes 127 and 146 are the main roads in and out of Jonesboro. Shawnee Mass Transit District runs a regular bus connecting Anna and Jonesboro, but the vast majority of locals rely on cars to get around. It’s about 20 miles to Carbondale and 30 miles to Marion, both of which are home to regional airports.
