History

Our village was named for Francis Arenz, from Blankenberg, Prussia.

Arenzville's earliest citizens were migrants from southern and eastern states as well as European immigrants. When it was first formed, Arenzville lay within the boundaries of Morgan County. The northern boundary of Morgan County had been drawn unjustly, according to some residents, and they wanted it changed. See the story about the Three-Mile Strip in the file downloads below.

Ninety-four men with ties to the Arenzville community served in the Civil War. One of them served in both the Union and Confederate armies. 

Prior to the installation of a municipal water system, Arenzville suffered disastrous fires. Fires in 1913 and 1917 were particularly destructive. In the above photo, Marie Peck holds a small dish which she picked up in the rubble of Shrewsbury's store after the 1913 fire.

Gustav Nicol started a moulding sand company near Belleville, IL, in 1903. Around 1916, with the discovery of good sand deposits at Arenzville, the Nicol Sand Company began operations here. (See downloads below)

Tade and Hester Lovekamp published A Local History Collection of Arenzville, IL, preserving many images and stories of the village's history. Molly Daniel has published several books about Arenzville history.

During WW2, the youth group at Trinity Lutheran Church wrote, edited and published the Walther League News and mailed newsletters to all the Arenzville service men and women. The letters are filled with news from the homefront as well as news from the service personnel.