Jacksonville
Around Jacksonville
Photo: David Wilson · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Illinois · 37k people
Jacksonville
Where the prairie meets a proud college town.
Illinois College Purple
Welcome to Jacksonville, where the Square is the heart of town and the Illinois River is just a short drive away. Whether you're here for the college life or the small-town charm, you'll find friendly faces and plenty to do. Come for the horseshoe sandwich, stay for the community.
Clubs for Jacksonville
No clubs for Jacksonville yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Jacksonville. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Jacksonville. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Illinois College Oldest college in Illinois, founded 1829, with historic brick buildings.
- Jacksonville Square Historic downtown hub with a central park and surrounding storefronts.
- Illinois River Major river forming the western edge of the county, popular for boating and fishing.
- Lake Jacksonville City reservoir with fishing, boating, and walking trails.
- Morgan County Courthouse Classic courthouse anchoring the Square, built in the 1860s.
- Illinois School for the Deaf Historic state school campus with notable architecture.
- Outdoors Fishing on the Illinois River
- Outdoors Boating and kayaking on Lake Jacksonville
- With kids Fishing at Lake Jacksonville
- With kids Exploring the historic downtown
- Evenings Bar hopping on the Square
- Evenings Live music at downtown venues
- Locals love Coffee shops on the Square
- Locals love Family-owned diners
Through the year
- Morgan County Fair July Classic county fair with livestock, rides, and food.
- Jacksonville Speedway races Summer Dirt track racing on summer weekends.
- Beardstown Riverfest June Riverfront festival with music and vendors.
- Illinois College Homecoming October Campus-wide celebration with football and alumni events.
- Jacksonville Farmers Market May–October Weekly market on the Square with local produce and crafts.
Humid continental with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Best in spring and fall for mild temps; summer for outdoor events, winter for cozy indoor activities. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for being outside – mild temps and low humidity.
Talk like a local
- “The Square”
- The downtown central square
- “The Lake”
- Lake Jacksonville
- “The River”
- The Illinois River
- “The College”
- Illinois College
Getaways
- Springfield State capitol, Lincoln sites, and museums.
- Quincy Historic river town with architecture and riverfront.
- Hannibal Mark Twain's hometown with cave tours and riverboat rides.
- Decatur Lake Decatur and the Scovill Zoo.
Local flavour
Rooting for St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Blues
Eat and drink
- Horseshoe sandwich Open-faced sandwich topped with fries and cheese sauce, a central Illinois staple.
- Breaded pork tenderloin sandwich A Midwestern classic, often served at local diners and taverns.
Where people go
- Historic college campus Illinois College's tree-lined campus and old brick buildings define the town's character.
- Small-town square The courthouse square with local shops and a classic American downtown.
- State hospital grounds The former Jacksonville State Hospital, a historic institution with Victorian-era architecture.
- Illinois River Nearby Beardstown offers river views and a working river town atmosphere.
Heritage and traditions
Jacksonville takes pride in its deep roots as an early center of education and culture in Illinois, with historic colleges, the Illinois School for the Deaf, and a close-knit community that values its heritage.
Say it like a local: “Thee-ater” — Theater, pronounced with an extra syllable.
Festivals
- Jacksonville Apple Festival September Celebrates the local apple harvest with crafts, food, and live music.
- Jacksonville Christmas Walk December A downtown stroll with carolers, lights, and seasonal treats.
Landmarks with a story
- Beecher Hall at Illinois College The oldest college building in Illinois, dating to 1829.
- Joseph Duncan House Home of Illinois' sixth governor, now a museum.
- Pike County Courthouse A classic courthouse on the square in Pittsfield.
Food traditions
- Lenten fish fries Many local churches host weekly fish fries during Lent, a beloved community tradition.
- Sweet corn roasts Neighbors gather for sweet corn roasts when local corn is at its peak.
- Apple cider donuts A fall treat at the Apple Festival, made from local apples.
Music and arts
- Community theater The Jacksonville Theatre Guild produces local plays and musicals.
- College music concerts Illinois College hosts choral and instrumental performances.
A little history
- 1825 Illinois College founded
- 1839 Illinois School for the Deaf established
- 1847 Jacksonville State Hospital opens
- 1850s Jacksonville is a stop on the Underground Railroad
Rivalries
- Cardinals vs. Cubs The eternal baseball debate splits the town.
- Illinois College vs. Monmouth College Friendly Midwest Conference football rivalry.
- Jacksonville High vs. Beardstown High Local high school football and basketball games get heated.
- Bears vs. Packers NFL rivalry among local fans.
- Game day Friday night lights at Jacksonville High School
- Game day Illinois College basketball and football games
- Outdoors Apple picking at local orchards
- Outdoors Birdwatching along the Illinois River
- With kids Going to the Jacksonville Speedway
- With kids Visiting the Illinois College campus
People here speak a neutral Midwestern accent, with phrases like 'pop' for soda and 'you guys' for a group. You might hear 'ope' as a soft apology or surprise.
Only here
- Jacksonville High School teams are called the 'Crimsons', a unique nickname.
- The Illinois School for the Deaf has been teaching sign language since 1839.
- The old state hospital grounds are said to be haunted, with ghost tours offered.
New here? A few tips
- Be ready for hot, humid summers and cold winters.
- Get to know the historic downtown square for shopping and dining.
- Try a horseshoe sandwich at a local diner—it's a regional specialty.
- Learn to say 'ope'—you'll hear it often.
- Explore the Illinois College campus and the School for the Deaf grounds.
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Part of Springfield area
Nearby
Every areaBeardstownIllinoisWhere the river meets the heartlandSpringfieldIllinoisWhere history and horseshoes meetPittsfieldIllinoisWhere the river meets the prairie, and everyone knows your name.CarthageIllinoisWhere the river bends and the corn grows tallTaylorvilleIllinoisWhere the prairie meets the lakeLincolnIllinoisWhere Lincoln's legacy meets the prairieMacombIllinoisPrairie warmth, Leatherneck pride.CantonIllinoisWhere the prairies meet the river
Jacksonville, IL. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.