Caseyville is a small village in St. Clair County, Illinois, home to approximately 4,200 residents. It was originally founded as a coal mining company town in 1849 by the Illinois Coal Company and named for one of its members, Zadok Casey. This small town had a very important, little-known role during the Civil War that would affect the future of the country.
At the time, Caseyville was only a dozen years old and had just two railroads in place, and the Union was worried that Confederate sympathizers would sabotage the city and tear up the railroads. Nearby Collinsville local Bob Stephens discovered through genealogy research and published letters from soldiers that the town was the only location in the state to have military camps established to defend the local mines and tracks. Responding to rumors that Missouri was considering seceding, President Lincoln sent two regiments of 1,000 men commanded by Ulysses S. Grant before to defend the area. Stephens believes that this presence is why Caseyville remained untouched, and ultimately the state of Missouri never left the Union.
Caseyville has several tours available for people with many different interests. History buffs can enjoy the Pre-Civil War or the Architecture tour, where visitors are guided through the historic parts of town, some of which have existed since before the war. There is also a Chocoholics tour for those looking to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Thrill-seekers, don’t be scared off driving in town and the surrounding areas. It is purported to be chock full of the ghosts of soldiers who used to defend the area. There have been many ghost sightings and locations nearby are considered haunted, such as the Miner’s Theatre and Lebanon Road, also called the Seven Gates of Hell by locals. Spirits of past residents of the town have seen lurking around the Krome Family Cemetery. Many locals swear they’ve seen ghosts or felt spiritual presences near random nearby pubs, restaurants, parks, and the like.
The local park has plenty of activities and amenities including two fishing lakes, a dock, skate park, playground, and walking trail. An outdoor gym is available for anyone trying to get in shape. This small town is also just ten miles away from St. Louis, and if you’re looking to hit it big, you might want to check out Fairmont Park for the horse races. For a chance at landing the coveted triple seven jackpot, the riverboat casinos are calling your name. The Casino Queen, River City Casino Hotel, and the Lumière Place Casino Hotel are three favorites.
Residents of Caseyville relish the fact that their tiny hamlet has managed to maintain the peace and pace of a residential area while having a big city nearby. The neighbors are friendly, the streets are clean, and, thanks to VP Wildlife Control, many homes are happily wildlife-free. If you’ve got a headache caused by critters, it’s time to let us handle the problem. We have 25 years of experience in the industry, and we’d love to add you to our list of happy clients.
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