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
Population (2010) 436 Introduction One of the communities in southern Illinois' Little Egypt, Thebes is a small river town that grew up next to one of the most treacherous parts of the river to navigate. History A small cluster of houses that had initially been known
Population (2010) 27,891 Introduction Alton is a city with a layered history that is worth the time to explore. When you’re done, take a drive along the Mississippi River up to Grafton, which is one of the most scenic stretches of the Great River Road; it can be very
Population (2010) 18,007 Introduction Godfrey is an old agricultural community that has grown far beyond its farming roots. The fields where inventive early settlers once conducted agricultural experiments are now covered with housing subdivisions and a growing college. Many of the town's early historic sites are still around, though,
Population (2010) 319,305 Introduction St. Louis, my hometown, is a city with a long and layered history. As residents of Flyover Country, we tend to make the national news only when something goes wrong. Sure, we have our problems, but so do plenty of other places. We are a big
Rising 630 feet above the Mississippi River and covered in gleaming stainless steel, the Gateway Arch is one of the most famous monuments in the world. It has become a proud symbol of St. Louis, yet somehow it has felt apart from the city where it was built. Busy streets and parking garages created physical
