Southwest Illinois News - Lebanon, Illinois

The historic town of Lebanon, located 23 miles east of St. Louis, was founded in the spring of 1804 by William H. Bradsby during the time of the Lewis and Clark expedition. McKendree College, founded in 1828, is the oldest existing college in Illinois. The college is located in the northwest section of Lebanon. Nearby, Horner Park, a 58-acre tract of land with old growth trees, features a five acre fishing lake, tennis courts, soccer field, two baseball diamonds and a short nature walk.

Street

In the late 1890's, Lebanon was known as a resort town with wealthy families from St. Louis building summer homes or staying in the hotels. Today, the historic town still remains as an electic community with cultural events, the Looking Glass Playhouse, Locust Hills, an 18-hole golf course.

Every April, Dickens Days celebrates Charles Dickens' stay at the Mermaid Inn in 1842. Built in 1830 as a hotel, the House has been restored by the Lebanon Historical Society. While visiting the Looking Glass Prairie, Dicken's documented his visit in "American Notes." Many believe that Dickens' "Christmas Carol" was also based on his stay.

Visitors can enjoy stepping back in time while walking along Belleville Street to see a variety of architectural styles from Greek Revival, Gothic, Italinate, English Country, Queen Anne, Georgian and Southern Colonial. Tours of the historic sites of the Governor Augustus French House and the Mermaid House are available year round.

Shoppers from neighboring communities often spend weekends browsing through more than 20 specialty, antique, gift and craft shops along St. Louis Street or dining at one of the many restaurants.

Restaurants

Wineries

Hotels

Return to Southwest Illinois News

Southwest Illinois News & Saint Louis Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Saint Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 1996 - 2008 Moore Design Group.

Advertisers

STL Front Page

Restaurant Guide

Advertising Information

Sports Kids

Southwest Illinois News is designed & hosted by the Moore Design Group.

How To Reach:
Southwest Illinois News
P.O. Box 1354
St. Louis, MO 63188

Voice: 314-771-0200
Fax: 314-771-0300

To submit news, contact:
editor@slfp.com

To advertise, contact:
advertising@slfp.com