Belleville is located in St. Clair County.  Belleville, meaning “Beautiful City” in French, was officially named in 1814 and replaced Cahokia as the the County Seat. Being in the heart of the Metro East, everything is literally minutes away. St. Louis is a short drive and the Metro Link connects many of the nearby areas with only a quick ride. Belleville is home to more than 40,000 residents. Historical downtown, with the recognizable fountain roundabout, is home to many of the areas oldest and better known businesses. There’s alot to be discovered at the many attractions, including several theaters, the Hofbauhaus brewery, Eckert’s Country Store and Farms, and Our Lady of the Snow National Shrine. Belleville hosts popular annual events, like the Arts and Crafts Fair, Deutschfest and Oktoberfest, Chili Cook-off and Fountainfest.  Belleville is also well cared for at Memorial Hospital with it’s affiliation with BJC Hospital located as well as Shiloh, IL and home to some of the area’s best physicians and specialists.

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Collinsville is a city located mainly in Madison County, and partially in St. Clair County, both in Illinois with a population over 25,000.  It is home to Cahokia Mounds historical site and Monk’s Mound as well as the World’s largest catsup bottle.  Collinsville hosts many festivals and outdoor activities, including the Italian Fest and Horseradish Festival. The community has many parks and recreational areas, including the Madison County Trails, family-friendly bike, rollerblade and walking trails through Madison County.  Enjoy the scenic landscapes, cultural and historical neighborhoods. Collinsville has easy access to Highway 159 as well as Interstate 70, making commute to surrounding communities, including Scott AFB and St. Louis, convenient. And don’t forget Fairmont Park track, home to thorough bred raising.

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Edwardsville is the county seat of Madison County, Illinois and a commuter city of St. Louis with easy access to I-270.  The population is 24,293 and offers so much in the area of restaurants, shopping and entertainment.  The city was named in honor of Ninian Edwards, then Governor of the Illinois Territory.  Downtown Edwardsville is along the historic Route 66 trail and also features many quaint restaurants, shops and entertainment. Edwardsville is home to Southern Illinois University which is situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.

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Fairview Heights is surrounded by Belleville, Caseyville, O’Fallon, Swansea and Shiloh. It is about 11 square miles large, and had a population of 15,000. The city’s offering of shopping, dining, recreation, and great housing make Fairview Heights a wonderful place to live. The area mall, St. Clair Square, is popular and busy, attracting many shoppers of Southern Illinois. In addition to the mall, Fairview Heights is primary source of commercial stores and restaurants in the Metro East area. Fairview Heights also has a strong community, and features several public events like the Art in the Park, Wingfest and the city’s Homecoming. They also have a public library, new recreational complex and 5 beautiful parks that host activities and programs for all ages.

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Freeburg lies in the fertile and rolling southern Illinois plains between the Kaskaskia and Mississippi Rivers. With a current population of approximately 4100, Freeburg remains a conservative, mostly German community with a highly diversified business economy that also serves as a bedroom community for Belleville and the St. Louis metroplex, while still providing essential services needed in any small community. On clear days, downtown St. Louis is visible from Turkey Hill. Three commercial orchards are also located in the area;  Eckert’s Orchards, Schlueter’s Orchard, and Braeutigam’s Orchard.

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Mascoutah is a small city in St. Clair County, Illinois, named for the Mascoutens, a tribe of the Illinois Indians. The population is 8,600. Mascoutah is home to Mid America Airport and only minutes from Scott AFB and McKendree University. There are three parks in town that offer a wide array of activities along with plenty of shopping and eateries in its quaint downtown area. Throughout the year, the community has festivals and carnivals.

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Named in 1917, Scott started out as a single airfield and has grown to become one of the most significant military bases in the world. Scott AFB’s history of growing with the Air Force has made it known for its excellence in education, national service, and offering a great community for the military families that work there. Today, Scott Air Force Base is home to: United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), United States Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC), Air Mobility Command (AMC), Eighteenth Air Force (18 AF), Air Force Global Logistics Support Center (AFGLSC),  Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO),  Air Force Network Integration Center (AFNIC) * formerly the Air Force Communications Agency (AFCA).  Scott AFB also has a significant impact on the communities surrounding it, including O’Fallon, Shiloh, Belleville, Fairview Heights and Swansea. These towns, villages, and cities have seen much development alongside Scott’s growth, and there’s no denying the impact the base has around it with its people and services. These places also make great homes to the many people Scott AFB brings in from all around the world. Scott has been a major employer not only for active duty but also civilians in our local communities.

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Shiloh has maintained its small village atmosphere, even as it has seen tremendous area growth in the past decade. Its 10 sq miles are located right next door to Scott Air Force Base, O’Fallon, Fairview Heights and Belleville, making it a great commuter spot. Shiloh’s population is 11,000. A large part of the area’s recent commercial growth is due to Shiloh’s success in developing what is now the Greenmount shopping center, which is now glowing with business. Originally started with a Target at the intersection of Frank Scott Parkway and Greenmount Road, two very important connectors between the area different towns, that spot now hosts a Dierbergs, World Market, Michaels’s Arts and Crafts, auto service, several banks, and a great selection for restaurants and treats. In other words, it has it all- and it continues to draw additional business and trade, resulting in additional residential home construction. Shiloh is home to the new Memorial Hospital, affiliated with BJC with a soon to be built Siteman Cancer Center. Shiloh’s trademark striped water tower, located in the community park, can be seen from just about anywhere in Shiloh. The village is also well known for its homecoming every year, featuring fireworks, amusements, and rides.

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The village of Swansea was established in 1886, to prevent annexation and maintain independence from the growing County Seat, Belleville. The small village is only about 5 square miles, but provides a great deal for residential and commercial opportunities. Swansea is surrounded by Belleville, O’Fallon, Fairview Heights, Shiloh, and near Scott AFB.  Swansea’s population is about 11,500. Located along 159, a major route between communities, and also having a MetroLink station, make Swansea connected to the surrounding areas with fast and easy transportation. Swansea embraces their small village history and makes a point of providing for its residents the convenience and security of living in a small community. There is a lot packed into the Swansea, aside from the commercial successes that offer all sorts of eating and entertainment opportunities. The village also hosts a Farmer’s Market every Thursday, and has several beautiful parks with community centers, playgrounds, playing fields, picnic areas, and nature trails.

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