South Roxana homes are still in demand despite contamination claims
Settled just east of the Mississippi River in southern Illinois, South Roxana is a village of about 1,900. About 25 miles northeast of Saint Louis , the community has a reputation for community pride and lower real estate prices than are generally found in the area. The village neighbors the century-old Wood River Refinery, an economic anchor that employs more than 1,100 people. However, it’s also been the defendant in contamination lawsuits, including one claiming the refinery allowed benzene to leach into the community’s groundwater. Refinery operators paid roughly $5 million to Roxana residents in 2017 to settle that suit. Despite concerns that property values would suffer, Re/Max Alliance Realtor Amber Hernandez says demand for houses in the area hasn’t dried up. “Homes there sell every day,” she says.
Local schools blends early learning with community pride
Hernandez says the Roxana Community Unit School District is highly desirable for both academics and sports. From kindergarten to second grade, children go to South Primary School, which has a C-plus from Niche. From there, third through fifth graders can attend Central Intermediate School, which has a B-minus. Roxana Junior High has a C-plus and is rated a commendable school by the state, which means it has no underperforming groups of students. 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. The high school has a B-minus from Niche.
An out-of-towner may not notice the difference between South Roxana and surrounding communities like Roxana, East Alton and Wood River . But residents do, especially regarding 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.”
Bungalows and ranch-style homes dominate area housing stock
A lattice of primarily residential streets makes up South Roxana, where midcentury and turn-of-the-20th-century bungalows, ranch homes and split-levels stand close together. 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.” Prices typically run between $30,000 and $160,000, depending on condition. Options are limited by the single month’s worth of inventory on the market in South Roxana, and houses take an average of 36 days to sell, about two weeks fewer than the national average. The median price for homes in the area is just under $100,000, about half of the Madison County median price.
Parks host games, playgrounds 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. Jurjevich Park and Veterans Park offer typical amenities like playground equipment and picnic pavilions.
Laid-back dining and basic shopping are nearby
Most shopping is in surrounding communities like East Alton or Alton , with malls, big-box stores and grocery options like Schnucks or Farm Fresh. Sparky’s Bar and Grill has a no-frills menu of pub food and regular live performances from local musicians. Twisted Biscuit in Edwardsville offers an eclectic selection of brunch options including pancake tacos, smash burgers and fruity cereal-coated French toast.
State Route 111 connects to St. Louis
South Roxana is bordered by State Route 111, which gives commuters a straightforward route to St. Louis, about 25 miles away. Alton Memorial Hospital, which has emergency services and general care facilities, is about 12 miles away.
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Ryan Nelson
