Welcome to Historic Elsah
American towns change almost as fast as American fashions. When something
of the old remains in this society, it is a resource to be treasured. Such is the
Village of Elsah, Illinois, located just 40 minutes from St. Louis. Missouri, on the
Great River Road and the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway. Elsah
encourages visitors to park and walk its streets rich in history, architecture, and
beauty. Its narrow valley setting, tucked between high bluffs, delights the eye in
every season: in autumn color, winter white, spring blossoms, or summer bloom.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973, Elsah gives us a
strong hint of nineteenth century living along the Mississippi River. Here you are
invited to leave the fast pace of everyday life and enjoy its special character and
quiet atmosphere.
The Village of Elsah, named by James Semple in 1853, is a town with prevailing
feeling of the past. It gives a strong hint of the setting of life along the river in the
1800’s. The village today is quieter and more residential than it must have been.
Mills, warehouses, river shipping, two railroads, numerous local businesses, and
throngs of farmers during the shipping season all have disappeared. Yet, many
of the houses and some commercial buildings remain, giving a feeling of
stepping back in time.
Elsah buildings represent a Midwestern interpretation of 19th century vernacular
styles. The prevalent style of the earliest houses is a simplified Greek Revival.
Later buildings sometimes incorporated elements of other styles such as Gothic,
Second Empire, or Italianate. The appealing aspect of Elsah is that so many
original buildings remain in their original settings. When new buildings and
additions remain in scale with the old, one feels that little has changed. People
are generally fascinated with Elsah because they can discover a side of
themselves that existed before they did. Here is a place where the past blends
gracefully with the present. Visitors will find Elsah: A Historic Guidebook,
published by the Historic Elsah Foundation, a valuable source of information
about the history, people, and buildings of this unique community. It can be
purchased at the Village of Elsah Museum.
In addition to the various walking excursions available in the village, Elsah also
encourages you to take advantage of the area’s many miles of scenic beauty on
bicycle. Bikers are encouraged to travel the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail, which
beginning at the entrance of the village, goes east toward Alton or west to
Grafton and Pere Marquette State Park. Along the bike path you will experience
the majestic beauty of the bluffs, panoramic views of the mighty Mississippi
River, and quaint villages and river towns along the way.
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