Edwardsville in Madison County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
N.O. Nelson House
Historic Leclaire
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 10, 2025
1. N.O. Nelson House Marker
The architecture of this home is Federalist, a style that was popular during our country's founding. Examples of this style include The White House and Monticello - the home of Thomas Jefferson, for whom this street is named.
This home is one of the biggest and most elaborate in Leclaire. It was built for the community's founder, N.O. Nelson (1844-1922), and his wife, Almeria. By the time they moved here in 1897, seven years after the founding of Leclaire, their two daughters were grown. This was a home built not to raise a family, but to accommodate and entertain many of the esteemed guests who visited Leclaire either because of their relationship with Nelson personally or because of their interest and curiosity in his Utopian community.
Some of their most famous guests were journalist Nellie Bly; social reformer Jane Addams; Toledo, Ohio mayor Sam "Golden Rule" Jones; and author Charlotte Perkins Gilman, all of whom gave lectures at the Leclaire School House. Because Nelson was one of the directors for the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, he and his family also hosted many people from around the world connected with that event.
Hey Kids,
Look carefully at the old picture of Nelson's home. What do you notice about the backyard that is different from today? When the Nelsons
this page online
Erected by City of Edwardsville and Friends of Leclaire.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.
Location. 38° 48.189′ N, 89° 56.949′ W. Marker is in Edwardsville, Illinois, in Madison County. It is on Hale Avenue south of Jefferson Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Jefferson Rd, Edwardsville IL 62025, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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: Lawnin Mansion (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Get Your Kicks on Route 66 (about 400 feet away); Memorial Fountain (about 400 feet away); Leclaire Schoolhouse (about 500 feet away); Leclaire, Illinois (about 700 feet away); Historic Leclaire Field (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jerry Kane (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nickel Plate Station (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwardsville.
Also see . . .
1. N.O. Nelson on Wikipedia. Nelson was at one time considered a visionary, for incorporating his progressive ideas in his businesses. In 1847, his family immigrated to the United States from Norway.
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 10, 2025
2. N.O. Nelson House Marker
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 October 24, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 50 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 24, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
