History of Edwardsville, Illinois in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: September 11, 2024

"Edwardsville, the county seat of Madison County, Illinois, is located 18 miles northeast of downtown St. Louis. Named after former Illinois Territory Governor Ninian Edwards, this city in Southern Illinois and the Metro East region had a population of 26,808 as of the 2020 census."

1909: Charles Deneen Governorship Begins

Charles Deneen, the fifth Illinois governor from Edwardsville, began his term in 1909.

1913: Charles Deneen Governorship Ends

Charles Deneen's time as governor of Illinois concluded in 1913.

1913: Construction of the Madison County Courthouse Begins

Construction began on the current Madison County Courthouse in 1913.

1915: Construction of the Madison County Courthouse Ends

The construction of the present Madison County Courthouse, a neoclassical structure built of white marble, was finished in 1915.

1934: Village of Leclaire Incorporation

In 1934, the Village of Leclaire was incorporated into the City of Edwardsville. The area, now encompassing a lake, park, baseball field, and the Edwardsville Children's Museum, became part of the city.

January 1977: Record Low Temperature in Edwardsville

Edwardsville experienced its lowest temperature on record in January 1977, reaching -27 degrees Fahrenheit (-33 degrees Celcius).

1983: Saint Louis Street Historic Designation

Edwardsville's historic Saint Louis Street was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, recognizing its historic significance and the well-preserved homes dating back to the mid-19th and early 20th centuries.

June 2007: Filming of "The Lucky Ones"

Scenes for the movie "The Lucky Ones", starring Tim Robbins and Rachel McAdams, were filmed in downtown Edwardsville in June 2007. Despite being set in Denver, Colorado, in the film, banners were placed on Main Street to create the Denver setting.

2010: Edwardsville Ranked High for Families

Family Circle magazine recognized Edwardsville as one of the "Top 10 Best Towns for Families" in 2010, ranking the city third on their list.

2010: 2010 Census Records Edwardsville's Area

The 2010 census determined that Edwardsville, Illinois spanned an area of 20.165 square miles, with the majority, 97%, being land.

July 2012: Record High Temperature in Edwardsville

A record high temperature of 114 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celcius) was recorded in Edwardsville in July 2012.

January 2018: "House Hunters" Episode Features Edwardsville

An episode of the television show "House Hunters", filmed in Edwardsville and featuring a local couple seeking a new home, aired in January 2018.

November 2018: Publication of "Edwardsville by Heart"

Nigerian poet Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún published a poetry collection titled "Edwardsville by Heart" in November 2018, drawing inspiration from his three years spent in the city as a Fulbright Scholar and student.

2019: Bank of Edwardsville Acquired

The Bank of Edwardsville, founded in 1868, was purchased by Champaign, Illinois-based Busey Bank in 2019.

2020: 2020 Census

As of the 2020 census, Edwardsville, Illinois had a population of 26,808.

2020: 2020 Census Demographics

The 2020 census revealed that the racial makeup of Edwardsville was predominantly White (87.70%), followed by African American (8.66%), and Asian (1.69%) residents.

2021: Tornado Outbreak Devastates Edwardsville

Edwardsville was significantly impacted by a tornado outbreak in December 2021. An EF3 tornado caused the collapse of an Amazon warehouse, resulting in six fatalities and numerous injuries.