About Edwardsville's Leclaire Historical District

What started as an innovative company town is now one of the most popular residential neighborhoods in Edwardsville, Illinois.

The Leclaire neighborhood exemplifies the "look" of Edwardsville with its frame or brick homes, many of which were built in the Craftsman style.

The area is always on the radar of potential buyers who ask us to let them know as soon as the neighborhood's properties hit the market.

Here is a list of homes for sale in the historic Leclaire area of Edwardsville.

Founded in 1890 by industrialist N.O. Nelson, the Leclaire area was named for the Frenchman who developed profit sharing and inspired Nelson to create a place where his workers could experience the best possible living and working conditions.

The model town he built provided easy-to-afford housing, a park for recreation and schools for the workers at Nelson's plant which manufactured plumbing materials. Nelson's vision also encompassed his factory's architecture which was designed to provide natural light and fresh air for the workers -- amenities unheard of at a time when sweatshops were more the norm.

The streets in Leclaire were named for the presidents, writers, social reformers and other famous people who had inspired Nelson's new village. The streets maintain their names and their historic homes today.

Leclaire was incorporated into the city of Edwardsville in the 1930s and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

If you would like to know about Edwardsville's Leclaire homes as they come on the market, just sign up for a property manager account on our web site at www.GoshenRealtyGroup.com.

I've always had a love of history. Living in Madison County has allowed me to enjoy numerous historical landmarks such as the Lewis and Clark trail, Cahokia Mounds and The Benjamin Stephenson House.

My favorite area that relates to real estate is the charming Leclaire Historical District in Edwardsville.

State Route 159 cuts through the Leclaire District. It's lined on both sides by mature trees and creates a beautiful scene in the summer, spring and fall.

For lovers of historic homes, the Leclaire district has quite a story. It was founded in 1890 by N. O. Nelson, and was chosen as a location for Nelson's plumbing company. Nelson's vision was a "utopian" village, where each employee had not only their own home, but a host of other amenities. Access to schools, parks, and recreation were also part of Nelson's plan.

The Leclaire district is still enjoyed today. A beautiful park, complete with fountain and lake is in the center of the development. Historic Leclaire Field recently underwent a renovation, and the crack of a baseball bat is still heard on summer days. Leclaire is also home to the Madison County Children's Museum.

From a real estate perspective, the vision that Nelson had in 1890 can still be enjoyed today in this vibrant section of Edwardsville. Homes range in size, from small cottages to grand 2-stories. The Leclaire district is very affordable for everyone from new home owners, to empty-nesters and families.