For local government matters, contact Village Clerk Barb Ostrowski at 618-374-1568 or elsah.clerk2@gmail.com, or Mayor Mike Pitchford at 618-616-4948 or elsah.mayor@gmail.com. The Zoning Board meets on the first Thursday of the month at 7 pm, chaired by Mark Young. Trustee meetings are on the second Tuesday of the month at 7 pm. Meetings are public, and agendas are posted at the Post Office 48 hours before.
December 7th, Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Take a step back in time this holiday season while strolling the historic streets of Elsah, Illinois. Visit what’s been called “the town that time forgot,” during Elsah’s annual Home for the Holidays House Tour from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, December 7. Many historic buildings will be open for the event, including private homes, the two room school house, Farley Music Hall, the Elsah Museum, the bed and breakfast inns, churches and villages shops. Tickets for the annual Holiday House Tour are $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the tour. Ticket prices include a tour booklet with a photo and description of each building, musical performances, and a self-guided walk thru the historic village filled with sounds of the season from local caroling groups. A limited number of box lunches will be available at Farley Music Hall. “Since the 1970’s, the Village of Elsah has offered house tours for visitors who can’t wait to get a look inside some of its beautiful historic homes and buildings,” said Blair Smith, one of the organizers of the event. Buy Tickets Proceeds from the tour benefit the Historic Elsah Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, dedicated to historic preservation and education in the Village of Elsah.
The Elsah Museum is showcasing contemporary works from five local artists, including sculptor Danne Rhaesa, whose pieces feature rammed earth, steel, and found objects. The exhibit runs until October, with museum hours on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4pm.
On August 24, Connie and Gary Davis, owners of the Green Tree Inn, successfully coordinated the Viking tourist arrivals with the Great River Routes and Tourism Bureau. Hosting 129 guests on three buses, the tour included a stop at Forest Park and the Chase Park Plaza Hotel.
The annual hummingbird banding event in Elsah, hosted by Sally Horbelt and Kathy Baird on July 13th, was a huge success! Sally reported 19 new bandings and 15 recaptures, while Kathy reported 49 captures and 41 new bandings. This family-friendly event is both engaging and fascinating.
Elsah and Principia College are now premium excursions for Viking River Cruises! On July 4th, the Great Rivers and Routes Tourist Bureau partnered with Viking to bring hundreds of tourists to Elsah. Visitors were charmed, comparing Elsah to villages in England and Ireland. Discover how Connie and Gary Davis, along with volunteers, made this event a success!
Danne Rhaesa, coordinator of the annual Elsah Photo Competition, has announced themes and details for the 2025 event. Awards total $1,250, with Best of Show winning $400 plus a night's stay at Green Tree Inn. First, Second, and Third Place receive $300, $200, and $100 respectively, plus a $50 Creative Youth Award.
A committee formed by the Elsah Trustees in June addressed speeding on Mill Street. On July 9, they decided to invest in speed humps. According to Wikicamel, speed humps are lower and longer than speed bumps, making them less aggressive and better for maintaining emergency vehicle access. This decision comes after numerous close calls and accidents. Kudos to the committee and Trustees for their swift action in improving village safety!
Green Tree Inn has been recognized by Tripadvisor as a 2024 Travelers' Choice award winner for bed and breakfast inns. This award honors businesses with excellent traveler reviews over the past year. Owners Connie and Gary Davis have created an outstanding destination for over a decade. Connie Davis said in a KMOV-TV interview, "For Gary & I, our favorite thing is sitting and having breakfast with our guests every morning." Elsah proudly celebrates this prestigious recognition from Tripadvisor.
Connie and Gary represented Elsah on the Great Day St. Louis morning show with Paige Hulsey from KMOV-TV Channel 4. This was part of the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau's Summer 2024 kick-off on May 24th at Post Commons in Alton. Connie highlighted Elsah as a must-visit location and described the hospitality at the award-winning Green Tree Inn.
