Hamilton County seat McLeansboro has small-town charm
McLeansboro is the county seat of Hamilton County, a primarily rural part of southeastern Illinois. “With a welcoming community, affordable housing and room to grow, it’s an ideal place for families, professionals and retirees alike,” says Branden Cline, designated managing broker for Outlaw Realty. “It has the perfect balance of small-town charm and modern conveniences.”
History and preservation are important in McLeansboro
Named for Dr. William Byars McLean, who resided in the area in the 19th century, McLeansboro was incorporated as a village in 1887 and as a city in 1886. McLeansboro has an enduring connection to history, with an old-fashioned town square, courthouse and a historic preservation overlay district. Among several buildings on the National Trust for Historic Preservation is the McCoy Memorial Library, which is housed in a four-story Victorian building adorned with Eastlake decorative elements and boasting nine fireplaces. The Hamilton County Historical Society Museum and Genealogy Library is on the second floor.
Some hundred-year-old homes, more from the mid-20th century and later
McLeansboro has a walkable, gridded layout with short blocks and sidewalks. Though there are homes over a hundred years old, such as Victorians, most date to the mid-to-late 20th century. Bungalows and ranch-style homes are some of the options. Prices typically range from about $30,000 to $210,000, with age, size and condition as factors. McLeansboro participates in the Illinois Enterprise Zone Program, wherein qualifying home renovations and economic development are encouraged through tax incentives.
Independent small businesses are the focus in McLeansboro
Independently owned businesses are the focus in McLeansboro. Essentials are covered, with McLeansboro Hardware and Food Park and KG’s Market for groceries. “There are quite a few businesses and restaurants there for as small as the town is. They are always getting something different,” Cline says. Restaurants include Main Street Diner and Deep South, a spot for barbecue, burgers and pizza. Big-box stores like Walmart are available in cities such as Carmi and Mount Vernon , which are about 20 and 30 miles away, respectively.
Swimming, fishing, a fanciful playground, golf and disc golf
McLeansboro offers a variety of recreational sites, including the McLeansboro City Pool, open from Memorial Day until school starts in August. Edgar Satterfield Kiwanis Park, next to the pool and the Kiwanis ball park, features the Kids Kingdom, a fanciful playground designed to evoke historic McLeansboro. Lakeview Park, which has a lighted pavilion, is the location of the former city reservoir, also called Lake McLeansboro. The Hamilton County Crappie Association Fishing Tournament is held here in May. The McLeansboro Golf Club, a 9-hole, semi-private course, has daily rates and memberships; the public Fox Prairie Disc Golf Course is set amid forests and open fields.
Things to do in McLeansboro throughout the year
The Hamco Food and Brew Fest in March takes place at The Big Red Barn, an event venue. People come from all over in June for the week-long Hamilton County Fair, hosted in McLeansboro. Some highlights are carnival rides, a tractor pull, pig pinning and a demolition derby. Autumn is another lively time, with the McLeansboro Kiwanis Fall Festival, put on over three days in early September. Parades, the Little Miss Fall Festival Pageant and a cultural arts show are part of the festivities. It’s also the season for a visit to Fall Country Fun at Organ Farms. The farm typically hosts the fun from mid-September through Halloween, offering a 5-acre corn maze, hayrides, games and many pumpkin-themed goods. Christmas on the Square includes a breakfast with Santa, a vendors’ market and a lighted parade.
Kids may enroll in the Hamilton County Community Unit District
The Hamilton County Community Unit District serves the area. Kids may enroll at East Side Elementary School, which earns a B-plus grade from Niche. Hamilton County Junior/Senior High School receives a B. High school sports include football, volleyball, golf and trap shooting. Scholastic Bowl, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Spanish Club and Future Farmers of America are among over a dozen student organizations.
A coal mine and other employment sites, several highways
Coal mining, healthcare jobs at Hamilton Memorial Hospital District and positions with the school district are some of McLeansboro’s top employment opportunities. State Routes 14, 142 and 242 are accessible within the city; it’s about a 12-mile drive north to reach Interstate 64. The Rides Mass Transit District doesn’t have fixed routes in the area but offers limited weekday service by reservation. The Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois, also known as the Williamson County Regional Airport, is in Marion , about 46 miles southwest of McLeansboro. Contour Airlines provides daily non-stop flights to Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
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Written By
Robin Silberman
