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'Alton' is a city in Madison County, Illinois, United States, about 15 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri. The population was 34,511 at the 2006 census.

Contents

History

Flood of 1993

Geography

Economy

Demographics

Landmarks

Education

Notable residents

Trivia

External links

References

History

Alton was developed as a river town in 1818 by Rufus Easton, who named the town after his son. He ran a passenger ferry service across the Mississippi River to the opposite Missouri shore. Alton is located amid the confluence of three important navigable rivers: the Illinois, the Mississippi, and the Missouri.Under construction is a monument, and multilevel observatory, located at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi near the levee in Wood River. Alton grew into a matter-of-fact river town with an industrial character and its steep-sloped streets filled with silos, railroad tracks, brick commercial buildings. Alton once was the site of several brick factories, and brick streets are still visible. Many blocks of housing in Alton were built in the Victorian Queen Anne style, which marks a more successful period of the city's history. Alton is subject to floods. Visitors can see the various flood levels of different dates marked on the grain silo in downtown.
North along the river the River Road stretches north to Grafton, a dramatic contrast between the high cliffs of the Illinois side to the broad, flat, green countryside of Portage des Sioux, Missouri. The Great River Road is a popular bicycle tour destination. Hidden in a notch of the cliff is the tiny town of Elsah, Illinois, once a down-and-dirty liquor-soaked tug-boater's retreat, now reborn as a quaint antique center with trimmed front lawns.
On November 7, 1837 abolitionist printer Elijah P. Lovejoy was murdered by a mob of supporters of slavery while he was attempting to protect his Alton-based press from being destroyed a third time. The mob then threw the press into the Mississippi. This tragedy marked Lovejoy as the first martyr of the abolition movement. As a consequence, the Thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution was drafted in Alton. Alton has been home to gangs of bootleggers in the thirties known throughout the state, and the overall bloody history of the town has contributed to the reputation of Alton as one of the most haunted places in America. Notable places include The History and Hantings Bookstore, and The McPike Mansion.
On October 15, 1858, Alton was the site of the seventh Lincoln-Douglas debate. There is a memorial at the site in downtown Alton that features statues of Lincoln and Douglas.
Alton has more earthly stories behind it, as well. Once growing faster than its sister city of St. Louis, a coalition of St. Louis businessmen planned to build a town to stop the spread and bring business to St. Louis. The result was Grafton, Illinois.
During the Civil War, Alton was home to a Union prison, from which prisoners would attempt to escape and cross the Mississippi River back to the slave state of Missouri. Also, some of Alton's majestic historic homes played a part in assisting the Underground Railroad. There is a Confederate cemetery on the north side of Alton, a memorial marker is present on the site.
Robert Wadlow's grave, the earth raised so visitors can compare its length to other graves, is in Upper Alton Cemetery. There is a memorial to him, including a life size statue, and a replica of his chair on College Avenue, across from the Southern Illionis University Dental School.
The Sisters of St Francis of the Martyr St George have their American province motherhouse in Alton.

Flood of 1993

Because of Alton's close location to the Mississippi River, it was severely damaged and flooded by dangerously high water level in the Great Flood of 1993.

Geography

Alton is located at (38.900438, -90.159844). This is on the Mississippi River above the mouth of the Missouri River. Most of Alton is located on bluffs overlooking the river valley.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 43.0 km² (16.6 mi²). 40.5 km² (15.6 mi²) of it is land and 2.5 km² (1.0 mi²) of it (5.78%) is water.
The new Lock and Dam #26 at Alton is available for tours, and is a favorite spot to eagle watch. There is a bird sanctuary across the river.

Economy

Alton was once a town of heavy industry and manufacturing. Laclede Steel established major steel manufacturing operations in the town.^[1]
Alton has transformed itself into a popular tourist retreat. Alton's location and history make it a popular tourist area for antique shopping and gambling aboard the Argosy Casino. During the winter, many visitors from across the country come to Alton for birdwatching, as bald eagles roost on the bluffs along the Mississippi. Other Greater Alton attractions include Alton Marina, nine golf courses including Greater St. Louis' and Illnois' only Arnold Palmer designed and managed course, Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway, Alton Square Mall, fine dining, night life, and bed and breakfasts including the "Best of Illinois" (llinois Magazine Readers Poll). Alton is also a popular venue for weddings, receptions, and honeymoons.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 30,496 people, 12,518 households, and 7,648 families residing in the city. The population density was 752.8/km² (1,949.3/mi²). There were 13,894 housing units at an average density of 343.0/km² (888.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.32% White, 24.72% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.49% of the population.
Along the Great River Road, one can view a painting of the Piasa Bird painted on the cliff face. The Piasa Bird is an old Indian Myth. It is a story told by the Indians of a giant bird with a face of a Man who could swoop down and take away grown men. It is said that the Chief of the Indian tribe waited for the bird to come and shoot it with an arrow, which killed the Piasa Bird.
There were 12,518 households out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,213, and the median income for a family was $37,910. Males had a median income of $33,083 versus $22,485 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,817. About 14.7% of families and 18.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.8% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.

Landmarks

Alton contains a number of landmarks. Among these are a statue of Elijah Lovejoy and the cable-stayed Clark Bridge.

Education

Alton recently christened a new public high school, complete with a three-court gymnasium.

Notable residents

James Earl Ray was a resident of Alton; Alton was the hometown of Miles Davis, Robert Pershing Wadlow, the tallest human recorded to date, and Craig Hentrich, NFL two-time All-Pro Bowl punter. Alton is home to the Southern Illinois University Dental School, where the dental remains and skull of Wadlow are historically preserved.

Trivia

★ Alton was the home to the world's largest blue catfish before it was caught by Tim Pruitt on the Mississippi River on May 22nd, 2005. The fish later died while being transported to Kansas City.

★ Alton has been called one of the "most haunted towns in America".[1] It is believed that the infamous McPike Mansion on Alby Street is haunted.

External links

★ Alton Convention and Visitors Bureau Official website of the Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau.

★ Beall Mansion Award winning lodging for business and pleasure travelers.

★ WikiTravel.com Alton travel information.

★ Mr. Lincoln and Freedom: Lincoln-Douglas Debate in Alton

★ Riverbender.com

★ Alton ''Telegraph'' newspaper

★ Haunted Alton

★ Temple Israel - Union for Reform Judaism

★ City of Alton

References

1. U.S. & Illinois Reach Settlement with Bankrupt Laclede Steel to Facilitate Clean-up & Reopening of Alton, Illinois Mill