Beardstown is one of Illinois' older towns, first settled in 1819. The city's founder, Thomas Beard, from Ohio, with his friend, General Murray McConnel of Edwardsville, arrived at the Indian Mound Village in 1819, making the trip from Southern Illinois River and, after a week's travel, reached the Indian Mound Village, located just below Mascouten Bay. French explorers had named the site "Beautiful Mound Village" because the Indian camp was at the base of large Indian burial mounds. <br> Beardstown prides itself with being a town rich in history. Many of the older buildings proclaim its past architectural heritage. Though major industries, such as Excel Corporation, now have a home here, Beardstown maintains the flavor of days gone by. <br> Beardstown, located on Mile 88 of the Illinois River, was at one time, known as the Belle of the Bend. It's famous marina was a well-known boat stop for river travelers. Now, many hunters and fishermen travel to Beardstown for sport because of its many natural bays, streams and wooded areas. Surrounding the town is a marsh that is the habitat for several species for wildlife. Today, local people still use the Illinois River for pleasure as well as to earn a living. <br> Agriculture is important in the area, Beardstown being well-known for its production of watermelons, which are trucked to many major cities in the country. Nearby farms also produce corn, soybeans, Christmas trees, hogs, and cattle.