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.

 

Explore these pages to find out what you can see, learn, and enjoy in Historic Leclaire.  

 

New FOL Meeting Room!

Bldg N-4, Room 201 at Historic Nelson Campus of LCCC in Edwardsville

Highlights of June 2010 Updates:

Newsletters: June 2010 Newsletter

Events: New date for Band Concert: July 18th!

June-November Calendar

2010 Leclaire Parkfest Application

Explore: New contemporary photographs of Leclaire

History: More vintage photographs of Leclaire & updated History of Leclaire

Leclaire Research: Newspaper Articles; More than 100 articles added since February 2010

Resources for researching your Leclaire house

Local Links: New links added for Edwardsville historic organizations