Greenville is a city in Bond County, Illinois, United States, 51 miles (82 km) east of St. Louis.

[9][10] Greenville was founded by George Davidson in 1815 in what was then the Illinois Territory, when he purchased 160 acres (65 ha) along the bluff overlooking Little Shoal Creek, in what was then still part of Madison County.

Davidson built a tavern near the present-day intersection of Main and Sixth streets, and by 1816 he was selling individual lots.

Davidson offered to give the county government land around the present-day town square.

[14] Dr. Henry Perrine practiced medicine near Greenville and helped with the secret railroad activities.

Former GU history professor Donald Jordahl has written that Almira College was "one of the earliest extensions westward of an eastern idea favorable toward female education, an early step in the women's suffrage and liberation movement.

[12] When Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas gave speeches in Greenville in 1858 during a campaign for the United States Senate, Douglas said: "Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great and supreme gratification and pleasure to see this vast concourse of people assembled to hear me upon this my first visit to Old Bond.

"[12] The Illinois State Register reported of the occasion: "I've seen many gatherings in Old Bond county but I never saw anything equal to this and I never expect to.

"[12] On November 21, 1915, the Liberty Bell passed through Greenville on its nationwide tour returning to Pennsylvania from the Panama–Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco.

The remaining research buildings and warehouses were sold to Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals in the 1990s, which continues to operate there today.

[citation needed] Today, the bank has locations in Greenville, Highland, and Marine, Illinois.

When federal money for the road ran out in 1840 at Vandalia, 19 miles east of Greenville, the State Legislature refused to fund it further.

Residents of Greenville, Highland, Troy, and Collinsville paid to complete the road to East St. Louis.

The "State Policy" of favoring Alton over St. Louis remained a major political issue in Illinois until the Civil War.

[20] According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Greenville has a total area of 6.31 square miles (16.34 km2), all land.

[24] During the first half of the 20th century, the Anti-Saloon Party was a player in local politics, with aldermen and mayors being elected from the ticket in 1911, 1913, 1917, and 1953.

[25] In 1992, private Free Methodist college Greenville University celebrated its 100th anniversary and was featured on NBC's Today Show.

One of these notable students was country singer Gretchen Wilson, who attended GHS but did not graduate.

[34] The festival has hosted many of the most famous Christian bands, along with more mainstream acts like Owl City in 2013.

The college announced its intention to move the festival to the Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri for a one-day event in 2014 for the stated reason of appealing to new audiences, but the relocated event was instead canceled due to low ticket sales the week before it was held.

[28][35] The Agape organizers announced that their intention for future years is to return the festival to its traditional home at the Bond County Fairgrounds.

In 2008, the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Traveling Wall visited Greenville to coincide with the fair activities.

[39] Because of its central location in the country, and its position directly on Interstate 70, Greenville sees many visitors undertaking cross-country walks and bike rides.

It was built in the late 1960s to supply water to the city and is now also used for fishing, boating, camping, and other recreational purposes.

[44] Lincoln - Douglas Campaign and the American Civil War A large stone and plaque placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution mark the location where Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas gave speeches while running for the United States Senate in 1858.

[47] The museum features exhibits of tractors and other farm-related memorabilia and holds multiple festivals a year.

[51] Founded in 1892 as a manufacturer of lodge paraphernalia and regalia, DeMoulin Bros. & Co., which was headquartered in Greenville, became one of the nation's leading makers of marching band uniforms.

The DeMoulin Museum, founded in 2010, pays tribute to the founders, employees, and amazing products created by this unique factory.

Though the museum contains examples of many of DeMoulin's creations, the lodge initiation devices–including the Bucking Goat; Invisible Paddle Machine; and Lifting and Spraying Machine–are what have attracted visitors from over 30 states.

The museum has been featured in numerous publications, including Atlas Obscura[52] and Roadside America.