Elsah lies in a valley between steep bluffs. Quiet streets and 19th-century stone houses define the historic village and evoke early 19th-century America. The village’s character also reflects the history of Principia College, two historic districts, and village buildings from different years. You can focus your stay on the village’s appearance, the college’s history, or a recurring event.
Village Character and Photography
The landscape and houses tell different parts of the story of the village: the valley between the steep bluffs frames the village, while its quiet streets and stone houses reveal its historic character. The houses date from the 19th century; their appearance evokes early 19th-century America. Elsah offers amateur and professional photographers the opportunity to capture this impression. If you’re planning a visit around your interests, you can take in the village as a whole while also exploring individual historic buildings and their own stories.
The History of Principia College
The development of Principia College can be traced through several distinct milestones. In 1930, a new campus site was selected in Elsah. Five years later, in 1935, the college moved from St. Louis to Elsah. The site selection and the move were therefore two separate stages. On April 19, 1993, the United States Department of the Interior designated Principia College a National Historic Landmark.
The historic districts are also separate points of reference. The Principia College Historic District in Elsah has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1993. The Elsah Historic District is listed on the Illinois National Register of Historic Places. Although their names are similar, they refer to different districts; the college’s Landmark status is a separate designation. Keeping these distinctions in mind helps clarify the college’s history and the register listings.
Village Hall and Farley Music Hall
The Village of Elsah Museum is located in Village Hall, built in 1887. Farley Music Hall was built earlier, in 1885, and developed into a center for various village activities. The buildings were constructed just two years apart, yet they play different roles in the village’s history: Village Hall houses the museum, while Farley Music Hall became a venue for a wide range of village activities. Their histories offer a way to compare the construction of the buildings with the story of the museum and the development of a village center.
Tours and Event Dates
The Principia College campus, designed by Bernard Maybeck, is designated a National Historic Landmark and can be visited on a tour. Since access arrangements may change, check in advance whether a tour is available on your visit date.
Two annual events offer another reason to travel here. The Home for the Holidays House Tour takes place on the first Saturday in December and includes a tour of the historic village. The annual Village of Elsah 4th of July Parade and Potluck Party starts at 11:30 a.m. at the Elsah Civic Center, followed by a community potluck and celebration. If you’re planning your visit around one of these events, check the date and program in advance, as details can change from year to year.
Choose a Focus for Your Visit
The history of the village and college provides a timeline, from the site selection in 1930 and the move in 1935 to the Landmark designation in 1993. The events, by contrast, offer specific dates to plan your visit around. This gives you two different approaches to planning: you can focus on the historic village and its buildings, or make a recurring event the centerpiece of your trip. Checking the event dates is especially useful if you’re planning your trip around a particular day.
Discover more destinations: Grafton, Jerseyville.
View the broader travel guide: Jersey County.
