The city's heritage is marked by the 17 flags, from as many European nations, which fly in a memorial park in the heart of downtown. The flags celebrate the origins of the people of Granite City. A city born of rock and steel, Granite City grew up a mill town, drawing its expanding population from among the flood of Central European immigrants who came to this new land in search of freedom and opportunity. Strong willed and hardworking, these people built the many solid brick homes that still stand, today housing newer generations that are equally hardworking and determined to succeed. There is heritage, too, in the many attractive churches that guide the spirit of the community.
Granite City is the city of convenience.
Most shopping is centered along one main thoroughfare. A fine public school system has spread its elementary schools throughout the neighborhoods where children can easily walk to school. As growth extends into nearby areas, Granite City has become the hub of the expanding Tri-Cities Area. Since the 1960's the surrounding towns and villages of Madison, Venice, and Pontoon Beach have taken advantage of their close proximity to major highway systems and have developed land for a variety of commercial and recreational uses. Madison has been revitalized with the arrival of Gateway International Raceway and the hundreds of thousands of racing fans who come to town each year.