| The City of Belleville, founded in 1814, boasts one of the largest National Register historic districts in Illinois, including more than 700 commercial, industrial, and residential sites. Belleville is the St. Clair County Seat and is the center of the earliest and largest German migration to the State of Illinois. This migration began in 1830. Downtown Belleville contains a National Register of Historic Places District, so designated by the Department of Interior. Belleville also has locally zoned historic districts, "The Old Belleville Historic District" the "Hexenbuckel Historic District" and the "Oakland Historic District". These districts, containing nicely maintained family homes, commercial and rental properties, are located in the near southeast and near southeast quadrants of the City. |  Three museum homes, maintained by the St. Clair County Historical Society, are within the Old Belleville District. Gustave Koerner backed Abraham Lincoln in his presidential election and Lincoln appointed Koerner Minister to Spain during the Civil War. Koerner's 1854 home at 200 Abend is being restored. For further details visit www.gustavekoerner.org. German Street houses, as well as, large spacious mansions, are available for restoration. The Historic Preservation Commission provides architectural advice to property owners in Belleville Historic Districts. There is no fee involved. The Design Guideline Manual provides more information about our history. |
