Alton Square Mall, Alton, Illinois, 1978─

Alton Square Mall opened in 1978 at 200 Alton Square Mall Drive, Alton, Illinois. The mall has undergone several changes but remains a popular shopping destination in the Alton area. 

The Famous-Barr anchor store, a division of May, opened on October 16, 1978, becoming the first portion of the mall to open. The remainder of the mall opened, including the JCPenney anchor store, on November 15, 1978. The mall was sold to May Centers, Inc., the mall development arm of May Department Stores, in 1979.

The mall was sold to Melvin Simon and Associates of Indianapolis in 1993. A third anchor structure, Sears, was added during a renovation in 1997. The Famous-Barr anchor store was converted to Macy's in  2006.

It currently has two anchors, JCPenney and Ross Dress for Less, as well as a variety of other stores and restaurants. In 2012, Sears closed its location at the mall. Macy's closed its place at the mall in 2017. Then in 2023, the mall will be sold to Hull Property Group.

In recent years, the mall has faced challenges, such as closing two of its anchor stores. However, the new owners are committed to revitalizing the mall and making it a more attractive destination for shoppers.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.