What is the oldest settlement in Illinois?

Answer 1

Peoria is the oldest community in Illinois.

Kaskaskia and Cahokia were both founded as early as 1690(though it is possible earlier) It is for sure known that Peoria was founded before this, but it was abandoned in 1680 and was no longer a settlement..So while Peoria is thought to be older, Cahokia or Kaskaskia is known as the oldest permanent European settlement in Illinois.

Answer 2

The Belleville Public Library is the oldest subscription library in the State of Illinois. Belleville, a community with a strong German heritage, owes this distinction to a group of educated German immigrants known as the "Latin Farmers". On June 26, 1836, they pooled their books and housed them in a place easily accessible to the public. The German Library Society of St. Clair County was organized. As to be expected, much of the original collection of 346 volumes is in German. At a City Council meeting on February 5, 1883, the decision was made to acquire the holdings of the Saengerbund and Library Society's collection of 6,000 volumes. Along with that decision came the establishment of a tax of one mill (1/10 of a cent) on the dollar to support the library.

The Library is housed in a Carnegie library building dedicated on January 20, 1916, which is located at 121 E. Washington St.

Answer 3

Peoria is the oldest city and Edwardsville is the third oldest, but I don't know what the second one is.