Belleville, Illinois is a town rich in history and culture. Located just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri, Belleville has something to offer everyone who visits it. As one of the oldest towns in southwestern Illinois, this small city has seen its share of growth over the years while still retaining much of its original charm.
The first settlers arrived here during the 1700s when it was part of the French colonial territory known as “Illinois Country.” Since then, many different groups have called Belleville their home: early European immigrants, African-Americans escaping slavery through the Underground Railroad, and German farmers looking for better land opportunities—all leaving behind traces that can be found today in various landmarks around town. Inhabitants enjoy an array of historic sites like Bellecourt Manor House Museum or The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows —the largest shrine dedicated to Mary in North America—where you can learn about these stories firsthand.
For those seeking more modern attractions, there are plenty available too; visitors will find plenty to love at Southwestern Illinois College’s Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival held each May, or if they’re feeling adventurous, take a hike along Mascoutin Trail System within nearby Carlyle Lake State Park. With so much to explore and experience within Belleville’s borders, it makes this small city one worth visiting time and again.