HISTORY

Located less than thirty minutes from the heart of St. Louis, Lebanon, Illinois is a community steeped in history for over 200 years. The original settlement was located to the south and east section of the city and was populated in 1814. Lebanon was incorporated as a town in May, 1857 and organized as a city in 1874.

Lebanon’s commitment to education came early. In 1828, pioneer Methodists founded Lebanon Seminary, which in 1830 was renamed McKendree College. Today, as McKendree University, it is Illinois’ oldest college and the oldest Methodist-affiliated college in the United States.

During the 1800s, Lebanon became a significant milling, distilling, brewing, and manufactory town. At one time, the town boasted nine saloons, five hotels, and a wide array of flour mills, distilleries, a brewery and saw mills.

In 1842 Charles Dickens traveled to America, as far as St. Louis at the time, to pen his American Notes which was published later that year. On April 12, Dickens and his entourage of thirteen men stayed that afternoon and evening, departing the next morning. He wrote of his “Jaunt to the Looking Glass Prairie and Back” referring to his stay at the Mermaid House Inn and his walk about Lebanon. His next writing in 1843 was his most remembered A Christmas Carol. It is believed he received some of his inspiration for the story from his stay in Lebanon the previous year. A Christmas Carol is performed every Holiday season at Lebanon’s famed Looking Glass Playhouse.

In 1903, the East St. Louis and Suburban Railway interurban line was expanded to Lebanon. At that time, many affluent St. Louisians had summer country cottages in Lebanon. They would travel to Lebanon by horse and buggy or by interurban to get away from the hectic life of the city

In 1917, Scott Air Force Base was opened just seven miles to the south of Lebanon. It was one of the very first of the new air bases in the country brought on by the onset of World War I. 90 years later, Scott Air Force Base continues strong as one of the largest employers in metropolitan St. Louis. Today, Scott houses three global command headquarters for the military. Many active and retired Air Force personnel make their homes in Lebanon.

Opened in 1998, Mid-America St. Louis Airport is located adjacent and parallel to Scott Air Force Base and just three miles south of Lebanon. Built to take some of the burden off of St. Louis Lambert Airport and to better serve the needs of the over 500,000 residents of the metro east area.

Lebanon visitors can enjoy stepping back in time while walking along Belleville, St. Louis, Madison, Main and Center Streets to see a variety of architectural styles from Greek Revival, Gothic, Italinate, English Country, Queen Anne, Georgian and Southern Colonial. Various guided and walking tours of the historic homes take place year round.

	History Located less than thirty minutes from the heart of St. Louis, Lebanon, Illinois is a community steeped in history for over 200 years. The original settlement was located to the south and east section of the city and was populated in 1814. Lebanon was incorporated as a town in May, 1857 and organized as a city in 1874. Lebanon’s commitment to education came early. In 1828, pioneer Methodists founded Lebanon Seminary, which in 1830 was renamed McKendree College. Today, as McKendree University, it is Illinois’ oldest college and the oldest Methodist-affiliated college in the United States. During the 1800s, Lebanon became a significant milling, distilling, brewing, and manufactory town. At one time, the town boasted nine saloons, five hotels, and a wide array of flour mills, distilleries, a brewery and saw mills. In 1842 Charles Dickens traveled to America, as far as St. Louis at the time, to pen his American Notes which was published later that year. On April 12, Dickens and his entourage of thirteen men stayed that afternoon and evening, departing the next morning. He wrote of his “Jaunt to the Looking Glass Prairie and Back” referring to his stay at the Mermaid House Inn and his walk about Lebanon. His next writing in 1843 was his most remembered A Christmas Carol. It is believed he received some of his inspiration for the story from his stay in Lebanon the previous year. A Christmas Carol is performed every Holiday season at Lebanon’s famed Looking Glass Playhouse. In 1903, the East St. Louis and Suburban Railway interurban line was expanded to Lebanon. At that time, many affluent St. Louisians had summer country cottages in Lebanon. They would travel to Lebanon by horse and buggy or by interurban to get away from the hectic life of the city In 1917, Scott Air Force Base was opened just seven miles to the south of Lebanon. It was one of the very first of the new air bases in the country brought on by the onset of World War I. 90 years later, Scott Air Force Base continues strong as one of the largest employers in metropolitan St. Louis. Today, Scott houses three global command headquarters for the military. Many active and retired Air Force personnel make their homes in Lebanon. Opened in 1998, Mid-America St. Louis Airport is located adjacent and parallel to Scott Air Force Base and just three miles south of Lebanon. Built to take some of the burden off of St. Louis Lambert Airport and to better serve the needs of the over 500,000 residents of the metro east area. Lebanon visitors can enjoy stepping back in time while walking along Belleville, St. Louis, Madison, Main and Center Streets to see a variety of architectural styles from Greek Revival, Gothic, Italinate, English Country, Queen Anne, Georgian and Southern Colonial. Various guided and walking tours of the historic homes take place year round.

History