As a rural center, Vandalia brings amenities to the area
Vandalia is a small city in Audrain County, surrounded by crop fields and solar farms. The residential community was established in the 1870s and now operates as a central hub for commerce in the area. “We’re a small town, but we do have conveniences, and plenty of service work,” says Franklyn Wallace, a real estate agent with Trophy Properties and Auction, who grew up and still lives in Vandalia. “There are five or six little towns within 15 minutes of us that don’t have city amenities, and those people will come here.” Vandalia is around 28 miles from the city of Mexico , in the west, as well as the Mississippi River and Illinois state line, both in the east.
A diverse selection of single-story homes
Most homes in Vandalia are lined along gridded residential streets and come with grassy front lawns speckled with mature trees. Minimal traditional single-story homes built between the 1930s and 1960s are the main housing type. Some are more traditional, while others are cottage-inspired or bungalows with front porches. Prices range from $50,000 to $150,000, depending on property size and condition. Ranch style homes from the 1960s to the 1990s with simple vinyl exteriors typically cost around $110,000 to $190,000. These properties are found both in the city and within the surrounding rural areas – ranch-style homes with acreage can get up to $450,000. Many two-story, Victorian homes and farmhouses are located north of U.S. Highway 54. “It’s almost solely single-family homes, though there are a few duplexes and some government housing,” Wallace says.
Several city parks and a nearby natural area
Six public parks are scattered throughout Vandalia. Tri-County Park is one of the larger ones, outfitted with a playground, tennis court and frisbee golf course. A paved walking trail follows the perimeter and leads to the Vandalia Family Aquatic Center. The outdoor pool includes a shallow-end splash zone with a pelican-shaped slide. Nearby, Railroad Park houses The Vandalia Historical Church, of German-Lutheran descent, was built in 1875. While the building no longer holds services, it is often used for city events. South School Park is home to a playground, basketball court and a baseball field used by Vandalia’s Little League team. Additionally, “the YMCA draws a lot of people from out of town. It’s really become a community gathering place,” Wallace says.
About 9 miles southwest of the city is Vandalia Community Lake, which has a public boat ramp and allows fishing. Picnic areas and camping sites are spread out in the surrounding woods. Deer and turkey hunting are allowed during designated seasons.
Small businesses and restaurants along U.S. Highway 54
Most of Vandalia’s shopping and dining is found along U.S. Highway 54’s commercial corridor, the city’s main thoroughfare. There’s a Niemann Ace Hardware, a Family Dollar and multiple auto parts stores and car dealerships. Valencia’s is a traditional Mexican restaurant at the intersection of Oak Street. Fast-food options in the area include Dairy Queen and Subway. “The Dairy Queen is locally owned – the same family has owned it for over 40 years,” Wallace says. Heading east on U.S. 54, Noble Roman’s Pizza serves both deep-dish and thin-crust pies. Grocery stores in Vandalia include County Market and DG Market. The closest Walmart Supercenter is about 19 miles away in Bowling Green .
Celebrating Vandalia’s community, history and culture
Every year, the community celebrates a handful of festivities. Prairie Days is a weekend-long event in September with live music, food vendors and both motorcycle and car shows. In December, the city hosts a Christmas parade, ending with a visit from Santa Claus at The Vandalia Historical Church. The Vandalia Area Fairgrounds sits directly south of the city and often hosts demolition derbies, rodeos and car shows.
Vandalia’s history is another important cultural aspect. “We have a historical society that really knocks it out of the park. They have bought several buildings downtown and restored them,” Wallace says. One of those buildings includes a museum on Main Street, where the society operates.
Getting educated in Van-Far’s public schools
Vandalia is served by the Van-Far R1 School District, which enrolls about 570 students between its two schools. Van-Far Elementary School earns a C grade from Niche, while Van-Far Junior/Senior High School receives a C-plus. Students at the high school can participate in career-focused clubs such as the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and the Future Farmers of America (FFA).
Traveling through Vandalia by foot or car
Narrow sidewalks line most of Vandalia’s semi-walkable gridded streets. U.S. 54 travels east and west to reach the City of Mexico, about 27 miles southwest, or Bowling Green, around 17 miles east. State Highway W travels north and south through the area. The St. Louis Lambert International Airport is roughly 90 miles away.
