Putnam Gray and His Castle on the River

In the late 1800s, an eccentric inventor and long-time riverman built a home next to the Mississippi River near Minneiska, Minnesota. Putnam Gray's home  was so unique that people talked about it for decades, and people like me are still fascinated by it today. Gray was born in Ohio in 1833 and began working

By |2019-02-03T16:50:52-05:00February 3rd, 2019|About the Mississippi Valley|Comments Off on Putnam Gray and His Castle on the River

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

By |2022-12-05T17:36:30-05:00December 11th, 2018|Illinois|Comments Off on Cairo

Cahokia

Population (2010) 15,241 Introduction Cahokia is the exception to the industry-dominated towns in St. Louis’ Metro East. Established in 1699 by French-Canadian missionaries, Cahokia was the first European settlement on the Mississippi River—it is older than New Orleans and St. Louis—it has just had a different trajectory since its

By |2022-12-05T10:07:45-05:00December 1st, 2018|Illinois|Comments Off on Cahokia

Chester

Population (2010) 8,580 Introduction An old river town, most of which sits atop a bluff high above the river, Chester draws visitors in with its Popeye-themed attractions, but it is also near a collection of old French Colonial villages and some good hiking. Visitor Information Get

By |2022-12-05T10:20:34-05:00November 4th, 2018|Illinois|Comments Off on Chester

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