South Roxana homes are still in demand despite contamination claims
South Roxana has faced its share of environmental controversy, both on the pages of local newspapers and in courtrooms. The village neighbors the century-old Wood River Refinery, an economic anchor that employs more than 1,100 people but has also been the defendant in contamination lawsuits, including one claiming the refinery allowed the chemical benzene to leach into the community’s groundwater. Refinery operators paid out roughly $5 million to residents of a nearby village in 2018 to settle that suit. Despite concerns property values would suffer, RE/MAX Alliance Realtor Amber Hernandez says demand for houses in South Roxana and surrounding communities hasn’t dried up. “Homes there sell every day,” she says.
Local school district blends early learning with community pride
Beyond just sports the Roxana Community Unit School District is highly desirable, Hernandez says. Before third grade children go to South Primary School in South Roxana, where occasional Parent Partnership Nights offer guardians parenting tips and free childcare. The rest of the district’s schools are 2 miles away in Roxana, including Central Intermediate School. Third, fourth and fifth graders attend the school, where the teachers get a grade of B from Niche. Roxana Junior High is rated a commendable school by the state, which means there are no underperforming groups of students at the school, and Roxana Senior High School students can develop their green thumbs with the help of the school’s botany course and outdoor garden that functions as a classroom.
An out-of-towner may not notice the difference between South Roxana and the communities it’s bunched up with like Roxana, East Alton and Wood River. But residents do, especially when it comes to sports showdowns between area high schools. South Roxana residents have immense school spirit for their Roxana Shells, says Hernandez, a graduate of nearby East Alton-Wood River Community High School. “They were our archenemy. When Wood River played Roxana, that was hardcore.” The village, a small clump of homes 25 miles outside St. Louis, inspires pride among its 2,000 residents through the beloved school district.
Bungalows and ranch-style homes dominate area housing stock
A lattice of primarily residential streets makes up South Roxana, where bungalows, ranch homes and split-levels stand close together. A five-bedroom fixer-upper likely will cost around $50,000, while a three-bedroom house can be picked up for $90,000. The village was settled in the ‘20s, and 100 years later homes are in varying states, Hernandez says. “There are some cute little houses, but there are some very not cute little houses.” Options are limited by the single month’s worth of inventory on the market in South Roxana, though houses take an average of 50 days to sell, 11 days longer than the national average.
Dad’s Club Park hosts games, playground fun and annual events
Dad’s Club Park is an easy walk from most of the village’s homes, which makes it easy to organize a game on the baseball diamond or swing on the playground and be home before dark. The South Roxana Dad’s Club hosts an annual homecoming at the park, bringing not only residents but also twirling carnival rides and food vendors.
Late-night dining and basic shopping are nearby
The doors of Sparky's grill are open to patrons 20 hours a day, six days a week. You can feast on chicken wings or fried fish while you tap your foot to the live performer playing guitar behind the pool table. The Dollar General in South Roxana stocks basic household necessities, while Farm Fresh 2 miles north in Wood River is the closest stop for fresh meat and produce.
Written By
Alex Soderstrom
Photography Contributed By
Ryan Nelson
