Edwardsville in Madison County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Leclaire, Illinois
Photographed by Mike Camero, April 18, 2012
1. LeClaire, Illiois Marker
Social visionary N.O. Nelson founded the village of Leclaire in 1890, naming it after Edme Jean Leclaire, who inaugurated profit sharing in France. In contrast to unsanitary urban tenement districts, Leclaire was a model cooperative village offering affordable homes, a healthful environment, free education, many opportunities for recreation and self-improvement, and pleasant working conditions at the N.O. Nelson Manufacturing Company. To support his commitment to the "Golden Rule," Nelson implemented profit sharing and employee benefits. During the Great Depression the City of Edwardsville annexed the village. Leclaire was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Erected 2006 by City of Edwardsville, Friends of Leclaire, and the Illinois State Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 38° 48.263′ N, 89° 57.074′ W. Marker is in Edwardsville, Illinois, in Madison County. It is at the intersection of Troy Road and Longfellow Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Troy Road. Marker is located at the base of the Leclaire
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jerry Kane (within shouting distance of this marker); Leclaire Schoolhouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Memorial Fountain (about 500 feet away); Lawnin Mansion (about 500 feet away); Get Your Kicks on Route 66 (about 500 feet away); Nickel Plate Station (about 500 feet away); Historic Leclaire Field (about 500 feet away); N.O. Nelson House (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwardsville.
More about this marker. Marker was dedicated on March 4, 2006, as part of Illinois State Historical Society Markers Week (2/27 to 3/4, 2006).
Also see . . .
1. Leclaire Historic District on Wikipedia. Wikipedia entry about the historic district, which talks about N.O. Nelson's vision for his factory town. (Submitted on December 3, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
2. Friends of Leclaire. Website for the non-profit organization, which has been dedicated to helping restore and promote the history of the Leclaire area since 1991 (Submitted on December 3, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed by Mike Camero, April 18, 2012
2. LeClaire Water Tower (marker at base of tower)
Photographed by Mike Camero, April 18, 2012
3. LeClaire Baseball Field (across the street from marker)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2012, by Mike Camero of Edwardsville, Illinois. This page has been viewed 1,421 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on December 3, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 26, 2012, by Mike Camero of Edwardsville, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
