Mascoutah, a community that lies four miles from Scott Air Force Base, is more directly influenced by the base than any other nearby town. 

Mascoutah School District provides education to more than half of the children of Scott personnel.  Three elementary schools, a parochial school, a junior high and a high school provide quality education where students consistently score higher than average on the college ACT and SAT entrance exams. 

This community has two parks, with such facilities as a swimming pool, baseball diamonds, tennis courts and numerous pavilions.

Fairview Heights in less than seven years has experienced phenomenal business growth that makes pride of ownership an important part of this community. 

Known as a shopping mecca, Fairview Heights boasts five major shopping centers and 500 retailers.  Additionally, a carefully planned professional park located just north of Interstate 64 provides new options for corporate relocations.  Fairview Heights is a newer community, close to Scott Air Force Base and downtown St. Louis, that attracts residents because no city property tax is assessed.  The city is known for its fine parks and recreational activities.

The best kept secret in the entire St. Louis area.  That's Troy, a community at the crossroads of I-55, I-70 and I-270 that offers a small town atmosphere within minutes of downtown St. Louis. 

Founded in 1814, Troy is one of the oldest communities in Madison County.  The settlement was known originally as "Columbia" but was renamed Troy after being purchased for $10. 

All levels of education, pre-school through college, are available.  Within commuting distance are 25 universities.  Tri Township Park offers a lake, playground, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, tennis and volleyball courts.

Highland, located just 30 miles east of St. Louis combines the best of small-town living with modern commerce and industry.  The community is known for encouraging the development of business. 

Highland is one of the oldest and largest Swiss settlements in the United States.  The architecture of downtown displays the Swiss Chalet theme. 

Education, recreation, and parks are all around Highland, a progressive community that respects its heritage. 

Besides some historic homes, Highland also has newer homes.

Setting high on the river bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River is Alton, a city that is known for its turn-of -the-century homes and antique shopping district. 

Rufus Easton founded the city in 1837, naming it after his son Alton.  The Illini Indians, however, were among the first settlers of this land.  Indian folklore lives on, as evidenced by the etching of the life-size Piasa..the"bird that devoured men" on the bluffs of Alton. 

Legend has it that the Piasa preferred human flesh and at feeding time would swoop down upon the Indians, carrying away a tasty morsel.  One day the Illini Chief decided to trick the bird.  While the other Indians hid, the chief sat out, exposing himself as bait.  When the Piasa came, the other Indians surrounded the bird, killing it. 

Alton is also a progressive city.  A 300 ship marina has been built at the former lock and Dam 26.   The newly constructed Clark Bridge provides a direct link to Missouri via highway 67. 

Alton is home to the Southern Illinois University Dental School.  The city is within 30 miles of six colleges.  Thirteen public and eight private elementary schools plus one public and one private high school offer quality education.

Its motto, "wide open spaces, close to city places," speaks for itself.  Collinsville, quickly accessible to four interstate highways, is only minutes from downtown St. Louis. 

Collinsville's history began over 150 years ago.  The settlement was named for the Collins brothers, who came from Litchfield, Connecticut, in 1817 to start a saw mill, tannery, wagon shop and distillery. 

Today, the city is best known for the Cahokia Mounds historic site which is on the World Heritage List, and Fairmont Park Race Track which provides year-round horse racing. 

It boasts state championship teams in basketball, baseball and soccer.  Other recreational activities include a golf course, two swimming pools, Woodlawn Park and a modern open-air amphitheater for concerts and shows. 

Quality education is provided by a new high school, area vocational school and two parochial schools.  Southern Illinois University is only five miles north of the city.

Lebanon 
Population:  3,353 
Area:  1.7 square miles 
Housing Profile:  Many older mid-Victorian Style homes, plus variety of newer ones. 

Settled in 1814 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, Lebanon is noted for its older, mid-Victorian style homes and shops.  
 
Lebanon is conveniently located to Scott Air Force Base and downtown St. Louis.  Many residents work at the base, which is seven miles northeast.  Downtown is only 30 minutes away with I-64 or I-70. 

The town is known as the site of McKendree College, the oldest in Illinois, founded in 1828.  Lebanon is equally proud of its grade schools, ultra-modern high school and its students' national testing scores. 

A 55 acre park with 3 acre fishing lake, a community theatre group, 18 hole golf course with swimming pool, and many antique shops are a few of the recreational activities here.

Columbia 
Population:  5,000 
Area:  2.6 square miles 
Housing Profile:  Many homes built with handmade bricks from Columbia's historic brickyards. 

Columbia, now a growing city due east of St. Louis, began as two forts that provided shelter for the English Whiteside and Piggot families who settled there during the 1820's. 

Columbia was an attractive place for immigrants to settle, especially the Germans who came to the area in 1833, because the land reminded them of their homes on the Rhine River.  Today the German heritage remains intact.  Most of the homes are close to the sidewalk allowing for large backyards for gardening.