Roxana draws new residents while managing refinery impact
It’s nearly impossible to miss the sprawling Wood River Refinery in Roxana, which has brought jobs as well as some contention to the village. The refinery employs 1,110 people. In a 2018 court settlement, the refinery – accused of contaminating the groundwater with the chemical benzene – paid nearly $5 million to residents of Roxana and nearby communities. Despite this history, Roxana continues to draw new residents, evidenced by rising sales prices and depleted inventory levels.
Homes sell quickly in a tight and close-knit market
Bungalows and cottages are snuggled together on Roxana’s grided blocks, which form a peninsula of homes surrounded on three sides by industrial zones. One-bedroom, sub-1,000-square-foot homes can be found for less than $100,000, while a more expansive three-bedroom house with 2,245 square feet is likely to be priced in the high $100,000s. With only 1.4 months of supply on the market in the compact village, houses are swarmed with interest when they are put up for sale, Flener says. Neighbors are never physically far from one another, and they stay even closer with the help of the internet, Flener adds. “They have a neighborhood page. People can post when they need food or clothes, and they come together.” says houses are swarmed as soon as they’re put up for sale. Only 3 miles from the Mississippi River, the village government encourages Roxana residents to seek out information on flood insurance since parts of the community are in federally designated Special Flood Hazard Areas.
Local schools offer award-winning teachers and outdoor learning
Home listings aren’t all that draws crowds in the village of 1,500 people. Locals frequently gather to cheer on the Shells, Roxana Senior High School’s mascot name that comes from the refinery once run by Shell Oil. “It has a phenomenal athletic department,” Coldwell Banker Brown Realtor Lisa Flener says. “The whole town comes out and supports the teams.” Of course the local schools offer more than sports. At South Primary School, where kids go from prekindergarten until second grade, the teachers earn a grade of B-minus from Niche, and South Primary is the reigning recipient of the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award, given out each year to the district’s top educator. After that students attend Central Intermediate School. While Niche gives the school an overall grade of C-plus, the academic performance gets higher marks with a B-minus. Roxana Junior High School houses a clinic overseen by the Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation, so students and their families have easy access to preventative care. Meanwhile a Roxana Senior High School teacher in 2023 was recognized by the Madison County Green Schools Program for her work bringing an outdoor garden and classroom to the high school.
Central Avenue adds fresh dining options to Roxana’s core
Two new businesses are on their way to the heart of Roxana, as a diner is being constructed on Central Avenue, while Nana’s Cups-N-Cones aims to begin scooping ice cream across the street by the end of the year. For a dining option that has stood the test of time, check out King Louie’s Drive-In a few blocks north of Roxana. You can rumble up, and a carhop will bring shakes and foil-wrapped burgers to your window just as they’ve done since the eatery opened in the ‘50s. On your way back to Roxana, swing by Farm Fresh to load up on groceries.
Community events and recreation fill Roxana’s central park
In keeping with the community’s active aura, Roxana boasts a popular network of parks, Flener says. If locals aren’t flocking to Roxana Park for a dip in the pool or a recreational league softball game, they’re probably coming out for the Roxana Park Auto Show. The 40-year tradition fills the park with chrome and racing stripes as owners show off their classic cars.
St. Louis stadiums and restaurants are just 24 miles away
While Roxana offers enjoyable sporting events and tasty bites of its own, residents can explore more at the stadiums and dining districts of St. Louis 24 miles to the west.
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Written By
Alex Soderstrom
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