It’s interesting; ten, twenty years ago there were a dozen or more shops and a couple of restaurants in Elsah, and now it’s dwindled down to just a couple. The signs on the highway barely alert northbound motorists to the town’s presence. But we did discover this great building, which is the town hall, I believe. It reminds me of the Old Bonhomme Church, with its main floor, elevated meeting room and a lower level, that was perhaps a school.
Good call on the connection to Old Bonhomme.
Perhaps the place started to ‘decline” (poor choice of words,l since the Village is still quite viable) when the Landing restaurant closed. I don’t know when it closed, as the last time I visited it was sometime in the ’80s, but I think it has been closed for close to ten years.
I actually drove into the town this year and the residents have still maintained its uniqueness.
I can’t recall the name of the restaurant that is still in operation, but they have the best grilled cheese and homemade tomato soup that I’ve ever had! Well worth the drive from St. Louis.