The Lives of Dred and Harriet Scott
The story of Dred and Harriet Scott's pursuit of freedom is one of the most significant in American history, but what do we know about their lives?
Cairo
Population (2010) 2,819 Introduction Once a bustling port at the confluence of two of the biggest rivers in the US, Cairo (pronounced CARE-o) today is a shell of its former self. The reasons for its shocking decline aren’t too hard to figure out. History The
East St. Louis
Population (2010) 27,006 Introduction East St. Louis is often derided for its contemporary corruption (or perception of corruption), but the reality is that the city is in the shape it is today because of poor planning, exploitation by industrial interests, and corruption that began with the town’s founding. The
Brooklyn
Population (2010) 749 Introduction Driving through Brooklyn, there’s barely a hint of the town’s long history as a refuge and enclave for African American freedom. The oldest incorporated black-majority town in the US, Brooklyn has seen good times and bad, but today’s residents are hoping that honoring their past
Kaskaskia
Population (2010) 14 Introduction It’s been 250 years since France governed the Mississippi Valley, but their influence is still alive along the Mississippi River from St. Louis to Sainte Genevieve. Many of these communities pre-date the founding of New Orleans and have preserved impressive remnants of their earlier days.
Venice, Illinois
Population (2010) 1,890 Introduction The third leg of the old Tri-Cities region (with Madison and Granite City), Venice has been around longer than the other two but has arguably suffered more as the area’s factories closed. The city today is a shell of its former self, having lost 70%