Belleville: The Times, They are A-Changin' (Lincoln: theater, live, restaurants)

[Bulldawg82]

So what do many of you think of the changes made to downtown Belleville (Main St)? What do you think of the new/newer restaurants and band-playing venues that have popped up on Main Street? And how about that blossoming music scene, that - although in its infancy - is quite active! Let's here it for Belleville (whether good or bad)!

[Steve-o]

Never heard of it before. Where is Belleville?

[loogz23]

I wish they would have done all of this about 10 years ago, but I think its too little too late for Belleville.

[Bulldawg82]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Never heard of it before. Where is Belleville?

About 15 to 20 miles east of St. Louis and right next to Scott Air Force Base.

[doll lady]

I will clap for the progress.....I love the small Illinois cities with the street rotary in the downtown area. There are many cities with the rotary circle....although some might be considered dangerous when traversing. And, I love Belle Claire flea market.....I find a lot there and there seems to be a lot of great events at the site. I've heard that the Lincoln Theater is haunted...in fact that much of downtown Belleville is haunted.

Here's just a few sites with things about Belleville so that our Illinois residents can become familiar with another small city in Illinois.

Belleville Illinois Main Street

Other Historic Resources

BELLE CLAIR FAIRGROUNDS PARK


And who couldn't love a city where Jed Clampett (Buddy Ebsen) lived. Long live the Beverly Hillbillies!

[NancyMilton]

Belleville's really lively these days. There are some great places to eat or hang around downtown. And some terrific shops, like Candid Gifts, have opened over the past year or so to join the long-time favorites such as Ben's.

It's also a place where you can get into an historic property without raiding someone's trust fund to do so.