Trenton's community comes together for local events
About 30 miles east of Saint Louis , Trenton is a city of 2,700 within the farmlands of Southern Illinois. Less than half an hour’s drive from Scott Air Force Base, Trenton appeals to commuters looking for low-key surroundings after a long work day. “People move to our area because they want to be in an uncongested area,” says Mayor Dave Brandmeyer. “We’re not exactly the suburbs – we’ve got a nice community.” Brandmeyer says that new residents can look forward to being surrounded by green spaces, quiet streets and locals who show up in droves for high school sporting events. In fact, regular baseball and softball tournaments frequently cause one-time visitors to call Trenton home. “People come back because they had a great experience,” he says.
Midcentury homes are on the city outskirts
Grid-pattern lots in the city center give way to more spread-out neighborhoods on the outskirts. The median lot size is around a quarter of an acre, while the average square footage is in the 2,100s – about 200 more than the national average. Early 20th-century Traditional homes are common, typically selling between $90,000 and $220,000, depending on condition. Midcentury ranch-style and split-level homes are also popular and generally priced between $130,000 and $350,000, depending on location and amenities.
Wesclin High has success with baseball and basketball
Students in Trenton are served by Wesclin Community Unit School District Number 3, which has a B-plus from Niche. In 2025, Wesclin Senior High’s boys and girls basketball teams made the playoffs, and the baseball team made it to the regional quarterfinals.
The community park is a central hub
Trenton Community Park is the site for most of the area’s events, including TrentonFest: a weekend-long summer event with a parade, live entertainment and a pickleball tournament. The park also has the community pool, walking trails and baseball fields that frequently host annual tournaments and exhibitions. Hikers can walk the trail through the Northland Nature Preserve to enjoy acres of protected wetlands and forest.
Dining ranges from burgers to high-end steak
Most shopping is on Old U.S. Highway 50, including locally owned businesses, boutique stores and grocery stores like FreshWay IGA. Established in 1890, The Trenton House is an old-fashioned steakhouse with a full bar and wine list. Leather décor and polished wood give it a traditional tavern atmosphere – it’s even maintained the original tin ceiling. Not only is the Dairy King a favorite spot for casual burgers and shakes, but it’s also been a social hub for generations. “It’s where the young people come and hang out,” says Brandmeyer. “People generally get introduced to it after a baseball game.”
Annual events celebrate with barbecue and hot chocoloate
The Annual Chamber Community BBQ is held every summer and invites locals to gather for a feast of brisket, bratwursts and more. On the other side of the calendar is December’s Hot Chocolate Social, which pairs winter treats with City Hall’s Nativity scene setup.
Scott Air Force Base is less than half an hour away
The city’s main thoroughfares are U.S. Route 50 and State Route 160, which converge on the north side. St. Louis and Scott Air Force Base, which provide a great deal of employment for the surrounding area, are 30 and 15 miles away, respectively. The closest hospital is HSHS St. Joseph’s in Breese , about 10 miles away.
