Alton, Illinois
Encyclopedia
Alton is a city on the Mississippi River
in Madison County
, Illinois
, United States
, about 15 miles (24.1 km) north of St. Louis
, Missouri
. The population was 27,865 at the 2010 census. It is a part of the Metro-East
region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area in Southern Illinois. It is famous for its limestone bluffs along the river north of the city, for its role preceding and during the American Civil War
, and as the hometown of Robert Wadlow
, the tallest man known. It was the site of the last Abraham Lincoln
and Stephen Douglas debate in October 1858. The former state penitentiary here was used during the war to hold up to 12,000 Confederate prisoners of war.
The city has been labeled "The most haunted city in America" by paranormal
enthusiasts, due to its claimed haunted hot spots, such as McPike Mansion
and other structures. Most were built on foundations of stone taken from the former Civil War prison after it was abandoned. Confederate prisoners had suffered severe overcrowding, and many died during a smallpox
epidemic
. The city holds regular "ghost tours" and has been visited by television crews hoping to film proof of the paranormal.
for thousands of years before the 19th-century founding by European Americans of the modern city. Historic accounts indicate occupation of this area by the Illiniwek
or Illinois Confederacy at the time of European contact. Earlier native settlement is demonstrated by archaeological artifacts
and the famous prehistoric Piasa
bird painted on a cliff face nearby. The image was first written about in 1673 by French missionary
priest Father Jacques Marquette
.
service across the Mississippi River
to the Missouri shore. Alton is located amid the confluence of three significant navigable rivers: the Illinois
, the Mississippi, and the Missouri
. A monument and multilevel observatory, located at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi near the levee in Wood River
, has been constructed to provide an overview of the Great Rivers area.
Alton grew into a river trading town with an industrial character. The city rises steeply from the waterfront, where massive concrete grain silos
and railroad tracks were constructed in the 19th and 20th centuries to aid in shipping the area's grains and produce. Brick commercial buildings are located throughout downtown. Once the site of several brick factories, Alton has an unusually high number of streets still paved in brick. The lower levels of Alton are subject to floods, many of which have inundated the historic downtown area. The flood levels of different dates are marked on the large grain silos, part of the ConAgra mill, near the Argosy Casino at the waterfront. The flood of '93 is the worst in the last 100 years.
In the 19th century, it was an important town for abolitionists, as Illinois was a free state across from the slave state of Missouri. Pro-slavery activists also lived there and slave catchers often raided the city. Escaped slaves
would cross the Mississippi to seek shelter in Alton, and proceed to safer places through stations of the Underground Railroad
. During the years before the American Civil War
, several homes were equipped with tunnels and hiding places for stations on the Underground Railroad
to aid slaves escaping to the North
.
On November 7, 1837, the abolitionist printer Reverend Elijah P. Lovejoy
was murdered by a pro-slavery
mob while he tried to protect his Alton-based press from being destroyed for the third time. He had moved from St. Louis because of opposition there. He had printed many abolitionist tracts and distributed them throughout the area. When one of the mob made a move to set the old warehouse on fire, Lovejoy, armed with only a pistol, went outside to try and stop him. The pro-slavery man shot him dead (with a shotgun, five rounds through the midsection); the mob stormed the warehouse and threw Lovejoy's printing press into the Mississippi. Lovejoy thus became the first martyr
of the abolition movement. Congressional representatives came to Alton when they drafted the Thirteenth Amendment
of the Constitution, to permanently end slavery throughout the Union. On October 15, 1858, Alton was the site of the seventh Lincoln-Douglas debate
. A memorial at the site in downtown Alton features undersized statues of Lincoln and Douglas, as they would have appeared during the debate.
Although Alton once was growing faster than its sister city of St. Louis, a coalition of St. Louis businessmen planned to build a competing town to stop its expansion and bring business to St. Louis. The result was Grafton, Illinois
.
The first penitentiary
in Illinois was built in Alton. While only a corner of it remains within a few blocks of the river, it once extended nearly to "Church Hill". During the American Civil War
, Union
forces used it to hold prisoners of war, and some 12,000 Confederates
were held there. During the smallpox
epidemic
of 1863-1864, an estimated 1500-2200 men died. A Confederate mass grave on the north side of Alton holds many of the dead from the epidemic and a memorial marks the site. Often when Confederate prisoners escaped, they tried to cross the Mississippi River back to the slave state of Missouri
.
Many blocks of housing in Alton were built in the Victorian Queen Anne style; they represent a prosperous period in the river city's history. At the top of the hill in the commercial area, several stone churches and a fine city hall also represent the city's wealth during its good times based on river traffic and shipping. It was a commercial center for a large agricultural area. Numerous residences on hills have sweeping views of the Mississippi River.
Dental School.
The Sisters of St Francis of the Martyr St George
have their American province motherhouse
in Alton.
According to the Illinois Department of Conservation, in 1937 two commercial fishermen from Alton, Herbert Cope and Dudge Collins, caught a bull shark
in the Mississippi River. Late that summer they had realized something was troubling their wood and mesh traps. Concluding that it was a fish, they built a strong wire trap and baited it with chicken guts. The next morning, they caught the 5-foot 84-pound shark, which they displayed in the Calhoun Fish Market, where it attracted crowds for days.
In 1954, the city of Alton was named as one of the three finalists for the location of the new United States Air Force Academy
. Alton lost to the winning site of Colorado Springs, Colorado
.
Because of Alton's location at the Mississippi River, the Great Flood of 1993
with its high water level caused severe damage to the city. Alton's water supply was cut off due to flooding, and townspeople had to be supplied with bottled water for more than three weeks. Many local businesses, including Anheuser-Busch
of St. Louis, donated funds to help the people of Alton.
The current Clark Bridge
, with two lanes of divided traffic in each direction, plus two bike lanes, opened in 1994. Work had proceeded during the Great Flood of 1993
. The award-winning cable-stayed design was done by Hanson Engineers of Springfield, Illinois
. Pieces of cables identical to those of the bridge were handed out in educational settings all over the city to allow the city's children to "take home a piece of the bridge". The complex work of construction of the bridge, in which engineers had to deal with the strong river current, barge traffic and the 1993 flood, was featured in a documentary program on PBS
TV.
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 16.6 square miles (43 km²), of which 15.6 square miles (40.4 km²) is land and 1 square miles (2.6 km²) (5.78%) is water.
The National Great Rivers Museum is located at the new Lock and Dam #26, or Melvin Price Locks and Dam
. The lock and dam are open for tours. The lock is a favorite spot to watch bald eagle
s, which feed on fish coming up in waters below the dam. A large bird sanctuary
is located in an area of floodplain and wetlands on the west side of the river.
The River Road goes right next to the river north to Grafton
. Above that it is often routed inland of the floodplain. It provides views of the dramatic contrast between the high cliffs of the Illinois side to the broad, flat, green agricultural countryside of Portage des Sioux, Missouri
. The Great River Road
is a popular bicycle touring
route. Hidden in a notch of the cliff is the tiny town of Elsah, Illinois
, once a down-and-dirty, liquor-soaked tugboaters' retreat, now with renovated properties and antique shops in historic houses.
established major steel
manufacturing operations in the town. Restructuring in the industry in the mid-20th century forced Alton to create a new future. It was also the home to once-thriving, but now defunct industries such as the Owens-Illinois Glass Bottle Works and the Alton Box Board Company (a maker of all types of cardboard boxes for all types of uses). Alton has transitioned into a popular tourist and antique destination, building on heritage tourism. It also has facilities for corporate and vacation retreats.
Alton's location and history make it a popular destination for antique shopping, touring historic areas, and gambling aboard the Argosy Casino. Other Greater Alton attractions include Alton Marina; nine golf courses, including Spencer T. Olin, the only Arnold Palmer-designed and -managed course in Illinois or the St. Louis Metropolitan area; fine dining and night life; and a large selection of bed-and-breakfasts and guest houses. These include the Beall Mansion, voted "Best Illinois Bed and Breakfast" in the Illinois Magazine Readers Poll. Billing itself as "the wedding capital of the Midwest", Alton has become a popular venue for weddings, receptions, and honeymoons.
Many visitors come to explore the natural beauty of the area. A designated bikeway extends for miles north of town along the Mississippi River and below the limestone bluffs; its relatively flat grade and passage through tree-shaded areas makes it an easy ride for families. During the migration
seasons, Alton is a destination for birdwatchers along the Mississippi Flyway
; winter visitors come to see the many bald eagle
s that roost on the Illinois limestone
bluffs and feed on fish in the river. It is the area of the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway
. A few miles to the north is Père Marquette State Park
, with a WPA
-era lodge and attractions including miles of trails for hikers and riders, and horses for hire.
of 2000, there were 30,496 people, 12,518 households, and 7,648 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,949.3 people per square mile (752.8/km²). There were 13,894 housing units at an average density of 888.1 per square mile (343.0/km²). 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.
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.
Alton is also home to the Alton Symphony Orchestra (ASO). In 2011, the ASO is in its 66th season, and is considered one of the premier community orchestras in the Midwest. Musicians range from young adults in their teens to senior citizens. It holds four regular season concerts, a stylish pops concert, and a children's concert; the symphony offers performances to entertain and educate diverse sectors of the community.
Alton Children's Theater, founded in 1958 by Solveig Sullivan, has provided live theater for children through the years. The plays are now held at Lewis and Clark Community College
's Hathaway Hall. For many years, the company has performed for up to 10,000 children annually. This all-volunteer membership hires a professional director, who works with the members for the annual week of performances.
, formerly the Alton Evening Telegraph. The Telegraph provides complete coverage of local news, as well as sports and relevant national news. Today's AdVantage, a free weekly paper, is primarily focused on classifieds and advertising
inserts. It is distributed to all residents.
The radio station, WBGZ 1570 AM
, broadcasts a news/talk format. It has served Alton and the surrounding area for decades.
Alton boasts one internet-based resource, Riverbender.com. Named for the local bend in the Mississippi River, Riverbender is a portal serving local and national news, classifieds, event calendars and Alton guides to restaurants, shopping and attractions with coupons. In 2007 they were the first company to broadcast the Alton High Schools' sports games live on the website.
The Alton Middle School is housed in the old Alton High School complex. Alton Middle School serves grades 6-8. The school is made up of three buildings: the main building, annex, and Olin Building. The Main building is the oldest. It is of architectural interest for its Romanesque design
. Alton Middle School is the largest middle school in Illinois, with approximately 1,500 students.
The school system has a "gifted" student program for 1st through 8th grades, covering the Middle School. This program gives participating students access to wider knowledge as well as special projects.
Marquette Catholic High School
, named after the French explorer, Father Jacques Marquette
, serves the area as well. Its sports teams are called the Explorers.
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
in Madison County
Madison County, Illinois
Madison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. Madison County is part of the Metro-East region of the St. Louis Metro Area. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 269,282, which is an increase of 4.0% from 258,941 in 2000. The county seat is Edwardsville, home to...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, about 15 miles (24.1 km) north of St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. The population was 27,865 at the 2010 census. It is a part of the Metro-East
Metro-East
Metro East is a region in Illinois that comprises the eastern suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri, United States. It encompasses five Southern Illinois counties in the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area. The region's most populated city is Belleville at 45,000 residents...
region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area in Southern Illinois. It is famous for its limestone bluffs along the river north of the city, for its role preceding and during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, and as the hometown of Robert Wadlow
Robert Wadlow
Robert Pershing Wadlow was the tallest person in history for whom there is irrefutable evidence. Wadlow is sometimes known as the Alton Giant or Giant of Illinois because he was born and grew up in Alton, Illinois.Wadlow reached in height and weighed at his death at age 22...
, the tallest man known. It was the site of the last Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
and Stephen Douglas debate in October 1858. The former state penitentiary here was used during the war to hold up to 12,000 Confederate prisoners of war.
The city has been labeled "The most haunted city in America" by paranormal
Paranormal
Paranormal is a general term that designates experiences that lie outside "the range of normal experience or scientific explanation" or that indicates phenomena understood to be outside of science's current ability to explain or measure...
enthusiasts, due to its claimed haunted hot spots, such as McPike Mansion
McPike Mansion
McPike Mansion, or Mount Lookout, is a mansion in Alton, which is part of the Metro-East region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area in Southern Illinois, USA. Built in 1869 by Henry Guest McPike , it is situated on Alby Street on a site of , one of the highest points in Alton, which was...
and other structures. Most were built on foundations of stone taken from the former Civil War prison after it was abandoned. Confederate prisoners had suffered severe overcrowding, and many died during a smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
epidemic
Epidemic
In epidemiology, an epidemic , occurs when new cases of a certain disease, in a given human population, and during a given period, substantially exceed what is expected based on recent experience...
. The city holds regular "ghost tours" and has been visited by television crews hoping to film proof of the paranormal.
History
The Alton area was home to Native AmericansIndigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
for thousands of years before the 19th-century founding by European Americans of the modern city. Historic accounts indicate occupation of this area by the Illiniwek
Illiniwek
The Illinois Confederation, sometimes referred to as the Illiniwek or Illini, were a group of twelve to thirteen Native American tribes in the upper Mississippi River valley of North America...
or Illinois Confederacy at the time of European contact. Earlier native settlement is demonstrated by archaeological artifacts
Artifact (archaeology)
An artifact or artefact is "something made or given shape by man, such as a tool or a work of art, esp an object of archaeological interest"...
and the famous prehistoric Piasa
Piasa
The Piasa or Piasa Bird is a Native American dragon depicted in one of two murals painted by Native Americans on bluffs above the Mississippi River. Its original location was at the end of a chain of limestone bluffs in Madison County, Illinois at present-day Alton, Illinois...
bird painted on a cliff face nearby. The image was first written about in 1673 by French missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
priest Father Jacques Marquette
Jacques Marquette
Father Jacques Marquette S.J. , sometimes known as Père Marquette, was a French Jesuit missionary who founded Michigan's first European settlement, Sault Ste. Marie, and later founded St. Ignace, Michigan...
.
19th century
Alton was developed as a river town in 1818 by Rufus Easton, who named it after his son. Easton ran a passenger ferryFerry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
service across the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
to the Missouri shore. Alton is located amid the confluence of three significant navigable rivers: the Illinois
Illinois River
The Illinois River is a principal tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the State of Illinois. The river drains a large section of central Illinois, with a drainage basin of . This river was important among Native Americans and early French traders as the principal water route...
, the Mississippi, and the Missouri
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
. A monument and multilevel observatory, located at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi near the levee in Wood River
Wood River, Illinois
Wood River is a city in Madison County, Illinois, United States. The population was 11,296 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wood River is located at ....
, has been constructed to provide an overview of the Great Rivers area.
Alton grew into a river trading town with an industrial character. The city rises steeply from the waterfront, where massive concrete grain silos
Silos
Silos is the plural of silo, a farm structure, typically cylindrical, in which fodder or forage is kept.Silos may also refer to:* Santo Domingo de Silos Abbey, famous for Romanesque carvings and recordings of Gregorian chant...
and railroad tracks were constructed in the 19th and 20th centuries to aid in shipping the area's grains and produce. Brick commercial buildings are located throughout downtown. Once the site of several brick factories, Alton has an unusually high number of streets still paved in brick. The lower levels of Alton are subject to floods, many of which have inundated the historic downtown area. The flood levels of different dates are marked on the large grain silos, part of the ConAgra mill, near the Argosy Casino at the waterfront. The flood of '93 is the worst in the last 100 years.
In the 19th century, it was an important town for abolitionists, as Illinois was a free state across from the slave state of Missouri. Pro-slavery activists also lived there and slave catchers often raided the city. Escaped slaves
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
would cross the Mississippi to seek shelter in Alton, and proceed to safer places through stations of the Underground Railroad
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
. During the years before the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, several homes were equipped with tunnels and hiding places for stations on the Underground Railroad
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
to aid slaves escaping to the North
The North
The North may refer to:* a geographical section of the world * the wealthy and technologically advanced nations of the world, as contrasted with the nations comprising the South...
.
On November 7, 1837, the abolitionist printer Reverend Elijah P. Lovejoy
Elijah P. Lovejoy
Elijah Parish Lovejoy was an American Presbyterian minister, journalist, newspaper editor and abolitionist. He was murdered by an opposition mob in Alton, Illinois during their attack on his warehouse to destroy his press and abolitionist materials.Lovejoy's father was a Congregational minister...
was murdered by a pro-slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
mob while he tried to protect his Alton-based press from being destroyed for the third time. He had moved from St. Louis because of opposition there. He had printed many abolitionist tracts and distributed them throughout the area. When one of the mob made a move to set the old warehouse on fire, Lovejoy, armed with only a pistol, went outside to try and stop him. The pro-slavery man shot him dead (with a shotgun, five rounds through the midsection); the mob stormed the warehouse and threw Lovejoy's printing press into the Mississippi. Lovejoy thus became the first martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
of the abolition movement. Congressional representatives came to Alton when they drafted the Thirteenth Amendment
Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution officially abolished and continues to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. It was passed by the Senate on April 8, 1864, passed by the House on January 31, 1865, and adopted on December 6, 1865. On...
of the Constitution, to permanently end slavery throughout the Union. On October 15, 1858, Alton was the site of the seventh Lincoln-Douglas debate
Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858
The Lincoln–Douglas Debates of 1858 were a series of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate for Senate in Illinois, and the incumbent Senator Stephen Douglas, the Democratic Party candidate. At the time, U.S. senators were elected by state legislatures; thus Lincoln and...
. A memorial at the site in downtown Alton features undersized statues of Lincoln and Douglas, as they would have appeared during the debate.
Although Alton once was growing faster than its sister city of St. Louis, a coalition of St. Louis businessmen planned to build a competing town to stop its expansion and bring business to St. Louis. The result was Grafton, Illinois
Grafton, Illinois
Grafton is the oldest city in Jersey County, Illinois, United States. It is located near the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the city had a total population of 674. Prior to the Great Flood of 1993, Grafton had enjoyed a stable population of nearly...
.
The first penitentiary
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
in Illinois was built in Alton. While only a corner of it remains within a few blocks of the river, it once extended nearly to "Church Hill". During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
forces used it to hold prisoners of war, and some 12,000 Confederates
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
were held there. During the smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
epidemic
Epidemic
In epidemiology, an epidemic , occurs when new cases of a certain disease, in a given human population, and during a given period, substantially exceed what is expected based on recent experience...
of 1863-1864, an estimated 1500-2200 men died. A Confederate mass grave on the north side of Alton holds many of the dead from the epidemic and a memorial marks the site. Often when Confederate prisoners escaped, they tried to cross the Mississippi River back to the slave state of Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
.
20th century
Robert Pershing Wadlow, listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's tallest documented man at 8 feet 11.1 inches tall, 2,72 m , is buried in Upper Alton Cemetery. The earth over his grave was raised so visitors can compare its length to other graves. A memorial to him, including a life-sized statue and a replica of his chair, stands on College Avenue, across from the Southern Illinois UniversitySouthern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University is a state university system based in Carbondale, Illinois, in the Southern Illinois region of the state, with multiple campuses...
Dental School.
The Sisters of St Francis of the Martyr St George
Sisters of St Francis of the Martyr St George
The Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George is a Roman Catholic religious order for women. The order's mother house is in Germany and the American provincial mother house is in Alton, Illinois, with convents in the Diocese of La Crosse, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Archdiocese of...
have their American province motherhouse
Motherhouse
The term motherhouse is used by religious Orders and religious congregations to designate the principal house or community for that group. It can be either for the entire institute or for a region....
in Alton.
According to the Illinois Department of Conservation, in 1937 two commercial fishermen from Alton, Herbert Cope and Dudge Collins, caught a bull shark
Bull shark
The bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas, also known as Zambezi shark or unofficially known as Zambi in Africa and Nicaragua shark in Nicaragua, is a shark common worldwide in warm, shallow waters along coasts and in rivers...
in the Mississippi River. Late that summer they had realized something was troubling their wood and mesh traps. Concluding that it was a fish, they built a strong wire trap and baited it with chicken guts. The next morning, they caught the 5-foot 84-pound shark, which they displayed in the Calhoun Fish Market, where it attracted crowds for days.
In 1954, the city of Alton was named as one of the three finalists for the location of the new United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
. Alton lost to the winning site of Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
.
Flood of 1993
Great Flood of 1993
The Great Mississippi and Missouri Rivers Flood of 1993 occurred in the American Midwest, along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and their tributaries, from April to October 1993. The flood was among the most costly and devastating to ever occur in the United States, with $15 billion in damages...
with its high water level caused severe damage to the city. Alton's water supply was cut off due to flooding, and townspeople had to be supplied with bottled water for more than three weeks. Many local businesses, including Anheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. , is an American brewing company. The company operates 12 breweries in the United States and 18 in other countries. It was, until December 2009, also one of America's largest theme park operators; operating ten theme parks across the United States through the...
of St. Louis, donated funds to help the people of Alton.
Clark Bridge
The original bridge connecting Alton, IL with West Alton, MO was a two-lane (one in each direction) bridge that had become a hazard for motorists and a hindrance for emergency vehicles. It is the northernmost bridge in the St. Louis metropolitan area. It was torn down in the early-mid 1990s.The current Clark Bridge
Clark Bridge
The Clark Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge across the Mississippi River between West Alton, Missouri and Alton, Illinois. Named after explorer William Clark like the bridge it replaced, the cable-stayed bridge opened in 1994. It carries U.S. Route 67 across the river...
, with two lanes of divided traffic in each direction, plus two bike lanes, opened in 1994. Work had proceeded during the Great Flood of 1993
Great Flood of 1993
The Great Mississippi and Missouri Rivers Flood of 1993 occurred in the American Midwest, along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and their tributaries, from April to October 1993. The flood was among the most costly and devastating to ever occur in the United States, with $15 billion in damages...
. The award-winning cable-stayed design was done by Hanson Engineers of Springfield, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
. Pieces of cables identical to those of the bridge were handed out in educational settings all over the city to allow the city's children to "take home a piece of the bridge". The complex work of construction of the bridge, in which engineers had to deal with the strong river current, barge traffic and the 1993 flood, was featured in a documentary program on PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
TV.
Geography
Alton is located at 38°54′2"N 90°9′35"W (38.900438, -90.159844). This is on the Mississippi RiverMississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
above the mouth of the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
. Most of Alton is located on bluffs overlooking the river valley.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 16.6 square miles (43 km²), of which 15.6 square miles (40.4 km²) is land and 1 square miles (2.6 km²) (5.78%) is water.
The National Great Rivers Museum is located at the new Lock and Dam #26, or Melvin Price Locks and Dam
Melvin Price Locks and Dam
Melvin Price Locks and Dam is a dam and two locks at river mile 200.78 on the Upper Mississippi River, about north of Saint Louis, Missouri. The collocated National Great Rivers Museum, at 1 Lock and Dam Way, East Alton, Illinois, explains the structure and its engineering.Construction began in...
. The lock and dam are open for tours. The lock is a favorite spot to watch bald eagle
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
s, which feed on fish coming up in waters below the dam. A large bird sanctuary
Sanctuary
A sanctuary is any place of safety. They may be categorized into human and non-human .- Religious sanctuary :A religious sanctuary can be a sacred place , or a consecrated area of a church or temple around its tabernacle or altar.- Sanctuary as a sacred place :#Sanctuary as a sacred place:#:In...
is located in an area of floodplain and wetlands on the west side of the river.
Grafton, Illinois
Grafton is the oldest city in Jersey County, Illinois, United States. It is located near the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the city had a total population of 674. Prior to the Great Flood of 1993, Grafton had enjoyed a stable population of nearly...
. Above that it is often routed inland of the floodplain. It provides views of the dramatic contrast between the high cliffs of the Illinois side to the broad, flat, green agricultural countryside of Portage des Sioux, Missouri
Portage Des Sioux, Missouri
Portage Des Sioux is a city in St. Charles County, Missouri, United States. The town sits on the Mississippi River roughly opposite Elsah, Illinois, and is the home of the riverside shrine of Our Lady of the Rivers. The population was 367 at the 2007 census. The city was founded in 1799 by...
. The Great River Road
Great River Road
The Great River Road is a collection of state, provincial, federal, and local roads which follow the course of the Mississippi River through ten states of the United States...
is a popular bicycle touring
Bicycle touring
Bicycle touring is cycling over long distances – prioritizing pleasure and endurance over utility or speed. Touring can range from single day 'supported' rides — e.g., rides to benefit charities — where provisions are available to riders at stops along the route, to multi-day...
route. Hidden in a notch of the cliff is the tiny town of Elsah, Illinois
Elsah, Illinois
Elsah is a village in Jersey County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2000 U.S. census, the village had a total population of 673. Cyrus Bunting is the the village's current acting mayor.Elsah is a part of the Metro-East region and the St...
, once a down-and-dirty, liquor-soaked tugboaters' retreat, now with renovated properties and antique shops in historic houses.
Economy
In the late 19th and 20th centuries, Alton became a town of heavy industry and manufacturing. Laclede SteelAlton Steel
Alton Steel is a steel manufacturer, based in Alton, Illinois. The company is a reincarnation of the Laclede Steel Company, which halted operations of its mill in 1998. The company entered bankruptcy in 2001, and emerged from bankruptcy in 2003 with the new name and new owners...
established major steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
manufacturing operations in the town. Restructuring in the industry in the mid-20th century forced Alton to create a new future. It was also the home to once-thriving, but now defunct industries such as the Owens-Illinois Glass Bottle Works and the Alton Box Board Company (a maker of all types of cardboard boxes for all types of uses). Alton has transitioned into a popular tourist and antique destination, building on heritage tourism. It also has facilities for corporate and vacation retreats.
Alton's location and history make it a popular destination for antique shopping, touring historic areas, and gambling aboard the Argosy Casino. Other Greater Alton attractions include Alton Marina; nine golf courses, including Spencer T. Olin, the only Arnold Palmer-designed and -managed course in Illinois or the St. Louis Metropolitan area; fine dining and night life; and a large selection of bed-and-breakfasts and guest houses. These include the Beall Mansion, voted "Best Illinois Bed and Breakfast" in the Illinois Magazine Readers Poll. Billing itself as "the wedding capital of the Midwest", Alton has become a popular venue for weddings, receptions, and honeymoons.
Many visitors come to explore the natural beauty of the area. A designated bikeway extends for miles north of town along the Mississippi River and below the limestone bluffs; its relatively flat grade and passage through tree-shaded areas makes it an easy ride for families. During the migration
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
seasons, Alton is a destination for birdwatchers along the Mississippi Flyway
Mississippi Flyway
The Mississippi Flyway is a bird migration route that generally follows the Mississippi River in the United States and the Mackenzie River in Canada. The main endpoints of the flyway include central Canada and the region surrounding the Gulf of Mexico...
; winter visitors come to see the many bald eagle
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
s that roost on the Illinois limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
bluffs and feed on fish in the river. It is the area of the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway
National Scenic Byway
A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for its archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often...
. A few miles to the north is Père Marquette State Park
Pere Marquette State Park
Pere Marquette State Park is an 8,050-acre protected area in southwestern Jersey County, Illinois, United States. It is located near the city of Grafton, Illinois, at the confluence of the Mississippi River and the Illinois River...
, with a WPA
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
-era lodge and attractions including miles of trails for hikers and riders, and horses for hire.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 30,496 people, 12,518 households, and 7,648 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,949.3 people per square mile (752.8/km²). There were 13,894 housing units at an average density of 888.1 per square mile (343.0/km²). 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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.49% of the population.
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
Arts
Alton is home to the Jacoby Arts Center (JAC) (formerly the Madison County Arts Council), a not-for-profit organization that supports local arts and art education and is partially funded by the Illinois Arts Council. It is located on Broadway between Henry and Ridge Streets in the building that housed the Jacoby Furniture Store for nearly 100 years. The JAC is a regional arts center, serving 17 counties throughout south central Illinois, providing a public art gallery, art classes in a variety of media for adults and children, strong performing arts programming including a monthly live music performance, and an outlet to the literary arts, through such programs as the "Poetry Out Loud" high school-level competition and support of the Alton Writers Guild.Alton is also home to the Alton Symphony Orchestra (ASO). In 2011, the ASO is in its 66th season, and is considered one of the premier community orchestras in the Midwest. Musicians range from young adults in their teens to senior citizens. It holds four regular season concerts, a stylish pops concert, and a children's concert; the symphony offers performances to entertain and educate diverse sectors of the community.
Theater
Founded in 1934 as a community theater, the Alton Little Theater continues to produce a full season of dramatic and comedic plays and musicals. Its all-volunteer members bring quality theater productions to Alton in an intimate setting. The Alton high schools all offer theatrical productions throughout the school year as well.Alton Children's Theater, founded in 1958 by Solveig Sullivan, has provided live theater for children through the years. The plays are now held at Lewis and Clark Community College
Lewis and Clark Community College
Lewis and Clark Community College is a comprehensive community college in the Metro-East region of Illinois in Godfrey, enrolling 13,500 credit students and more than 33,000 total students annually....
's Hathaway Hall. For many years, the company has performed for up to 10,000 children annually. This all-volunteer membership hires a professional director, who works with the members for the annual week of performances.
Media
Alton has one daily newspaper, The TelegraphThe Telegraph (Alton)
The Telegraph is a newspaper that serves the St. Louis Metro-East. It was founded in 1836 as the Alton Telegraph by Lawson A. Parks.. It is published seven days a week and has an average daily circulation of 20,441. The paper is owned by Freedom Communications...
, formerly the Alton Evening Telegraph. The Telegraph provides complete coverage of local news, as well as sports and relevant national news. Today's AdVantage, a free weekly paper, is primarily focused on classifieds and advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
inserts. It is distributed to all residents.
The radio station, WBGZ 1570 AM
WBGZ
WBGZ is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Alton, Illinois, United States, the station serves the northern St. Louis and Metro-East areas. The station is currently owned by Metroplex Communications, Inc...
, broadcasts a news/talk format. It has served Alton and the surrounding area for decades.
Alton boasts one internet-based resource, Riverbender.com. Named for the local bend in the Mississippi River, Riverbender is a portal serving local and national news, classifieds, event calendars and Alton guides to restaurants, shopping and attractions with coupons. In 2007 they were the first company to broadcast the Alton High Schools' sports games live on the website.
Education
Alton High School is the new public school, complete with a three-court gymnasium and six tennis courts. Based on 2006 district data, Alton School district 11 enrollment stands at 6,480; the average number of teaching years in the district is 13.5; the high school graduation rate is 97.7%; Elementary Pupil-Teacher Ratio - 18.9; and Secondary Pupil-Teacher Ratio - 22.3. The Alton High School has an award-winning math team and music program. Alton High School offers an honors program.The Alton Middle School is housed in the old Alton High School complex. Alton Middle School serves grades 6-8. The school is made up of three buildings: the main building, annex, and Olin Building. The Main building is the oldest. It is of architectural interest for its Romanesque design
Romanesque Revival architecture
Romanesque Revival is a style of building employed beginning in the mid 19th century inspired by the 11th and 12th century Romanesque architecture...
. Alton Middle School is the largest middle school in Illinois, with approximately 1,500 students.
The school system has a "gifted" student program for 1st through 8th grades, covering the Middle School. This program gives participating students access to wider knowledge as well as special projects.
Marquette Catholic High School
Marquette Catholic High School (Alton, Illinois)
Marquette Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Alton, Illinois. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.-History:...
, named after the French explorer, Father Jacques Marquette
Jacques Marquette
Father Jacques Marquette S.J. , sometimes known as Père Marquette, was a French Jesuit missionary who founded Michigan's first European settlement, Sault Ste. Marie, and later founded St. Ignace, Michigan...
, serves the area as well. Its sports teams are called the Explorers.
Landmarks
- The PiasaPiasaThe Piasa or Piasa Bird is a Native American dragon depicted in one of two murals painted by Native Americans on bluffs above the Mississippi River. Its original location was at the end of a chain of limestone bluffs in Madison County, Illinois at present-day Alton, Illinois...
bird painting, reproduction of original on the face of a cliff north of the city - Elijah P. Lovejoy MonumentElijah P. Lovejoy MonumentThe Elijah P. Lovejoy Monument is a memorial in the United States to the advocate of free speech and the abolition of slavery, who died fighting for these ideas when his newspaper, the Alton Observer, was attacked and destroyed by pro-slavery fanatics.-History:...
, a 110-foot tall memorial to the famous abolitionist and free speech advocate, murdered by a pro-slavery mob. The monument is located in Alton Cemetery on the bluffs. - A monument to 1354 Confederate soldiers who died in the Alton prison, at the North Alton Confederate Cemetery
- The Franklin House, later known as the Lincoln Hotel and now the Lincoln Lofts. Lincoln dined here and may have stayed overnight when in Alton for his seventh debate with Stephen Douglas on October 15, 1858. Statues of Lincoln and Douglas mark Lincoln Douglas Square, at the corner of Landmarks and Broadway. This was the site of their last debate before the 1858 Illinois Senatorial Election.
- The Beall Mansion, designed by notable architectArchitectAn architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
Lucas Pfeiffenberger and built in 1902 and 1903. It has been the private residence of Edmond Beall, four-time mayor of Alton and state senator. - St. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church; more than 150 years old, it served as the CathedralCathedralA cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
of the DioceseDioceseA diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of Alton under three bishops (1857 to 1923). In 1923 the cathdral seat of the diocese was moved from Alton to SpringfieldCathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Springfield, Illinois)The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Springfield, Illinois. The cathedral, for which the cornerstone was laid on August 14, 1927, was dedicated on October 14, 1928...
. - A statue of Robert Pershing Wadlow, the tallest man in the recorded history of the world.
- The cable-stayed Clark BridgeClark BridgeThe Clark Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge across the Mississippi River between West Alton, Missouri and Alton, Illinois. Named after explorer William Clark like the bridge it replaced, the cable-stayed bridge opened in 1994. It carries U.S. Route 67 across the river...
(1994)
Notable people
- Rachel Abner, Big Sister of Alton, Graduate of Alton High School
- Alexander BotkinAlexander BotkinAlexander Botkin was an American politician from Wisconsin.Born in Kentucky, he moved to Ohio, and then to Alton, Illinois, where he was a justice of the peace. During that time, he was involved in events as a result of the murder of the abolitionist, Elijah P. Lovejoy trying to maintain peace...
, Wisconsin politician - Jonathan Russell BullockJonathan Russell BullockJonathan Russell Bullock was a Rhode Island politician and a United States federal judge.Born in Bristol, Rhode Island, Bullock graduated from Brown University in 1834 and read law to enter the bar in 1836. He was in private practice in Alton, Illinois from 1836 to 1843, and served as on the Alton...
, jurist and legislator - Miles DavisMiles DavisMiles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
, jazz musician - Craig WestonCraig WestonCraig Weston is a former Australian rugby league player, who plied his trade for the Gold Coast Seagulls in 29 games plus 2 as a replacement with 6 tries, 20 goals , Eastern Suburbs Roosters 8 games, 15 goals and the South Queensland Crushers 13 games plus 1 as a replacement 6 tries 1 goal...
- Lawrence LeritzLawrence LeritzLawrence Leritz is an American dancer, singer, actor, producer, fitness expert and choreographer.-Life and career:...
, dance and Broadway - Elijah Lovejoy, abolitionist
- John M. OlinJohn M. OlinJohn Merrill Olin was an American businessman. He was the son of Franklin W. Olin.-Early life:Born in Alton, Illinois, Olin graduated from Cornell University with a B.Sc. degree in chemistry and as a brother of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity...
, inventor, industrialist, philanthropist - James Earl RayJames Earl RayJames Earl Ray was an American criminal convicted of the assassination of civil rights and anti-war activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr....
, assassin of Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the... - Christina RomerChristina RomerChristina D. Romer is the Class of 1957 Garff B. Wilson Professor of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley and a former Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers in the Obama administration...
, 25th Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors - Phyllis SchlaflyPhyllis SchlaflyPhyllis McAlpin Stewart Schlafly is a Constitutional lawyer and an American politically conservative activist and author who founded the Eagle Forum. She is known for her opposition to modern feminism ideas and for her campaign against the proposed Equal Rights Amendment...
, conservative author - Dale SwannDale SwannWilliam Dale Swann was an American character actor known for his numerous roles in television, film and commercials.-Early life:...
, character actor - Lyman TrumbullLyman TrumbullLyman Trumbull was a United States Senator from Illinois during the American Civil War, and co-author of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.-Education and early career:...
, first person to write a bill about Civil RightsCivil rightsCivil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
(although it did not pass) - Jesse WhiteJesse White (politician)Jesse Clark White is a Democratic American politician. He is currently the 37th and second-longest serving Secretary of State of Illinois, after James A. Rose, and the first African American to hold this position....
, Secretary of State of IllinoisSecretary of State of IllinoisThe Secretary of State of Illinois is one of the six elected executive state offices of the government of Illinois, and one of the 47 secretaries of states in the United States. The Illinois Secretary of State keeps the state records, laws, and archives, and is the state's vehicle registration and... - Minor WatsonMinor WatsonMinor Watson was a prominent character actor. He appeared in 111 movies made between 1913 and 1956. His credits included, Boys Town , Yankee Doodle Dandy , Kings Row , Guadalcanal Diary , Bewitched , The Virginian , and The Jackie Robinson Story .He is buried in Alton Cemetery...
, stage and screen actor - Robert WadlowRobert WadlowRobert Pershing Wadlow was the tallest person in history for whom there is irrefutable evidence. Wadlow is sometimes known as the Alton Giant or Giant of Illinois because he was born and grew up in Alton, Illinois.Wadlow reached in height and weighed at his death at age 22...
, tallest person in history
See also
- Alton Township, Madison County, IllinoisAlton Township, Madison County, IllinoisAlton Township is located in Madison County, Illinois. The population was 30,496 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
- Alton (Amtrak station)Alton (Amtrak station)Alton, IL is a suburban St. Louis Amtrak station in Alton, Illinois served by the Lincoln Service and the Texas Eagle. This was also a stop for the Ann Rutledge until April 2007. The former Alton Railroad station, later used by the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad is built of brick, and is staffed. ...