Alton, Illinois facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alton, Illinois
City
The Clark Bridge, connecting Alton to West Alton, Missouri
Flag Seal
Location of Alton in Madison County, Illinois
Alton, Illinois Location in Illinois Show map of Illinois Alton, Illinois Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	Madison
Area
• Total	16.95 sq mi (43.90 km2)
• Land	15.67 sq mi (40.59 km2)
• Water	1.28 sq mi (3.31 km2)
Elevation	535 ft (163 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	25,676
• Density	1,638.44/sq mi (632.62/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code(s)	62002
Area code(s)	618
FIPS code	17-01114
GNIS feature ID	2393935
Wikimedia Commons	Alton, Illinois

Alton is a city in Madison County, Illinois, United States. It's located right on the Mississippi River, about 18 miles (29 km) north of St. Louis, Missouri. In 2020, about 25,676 people lived there.

Alton is famous for its tall limestone bluffs along the river. It also has a rich history, especially during the time leading up to and during the American Civil War. It was the place where Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas had their last big debate in October 1858. A former state prison in Alton was used to hold thousands of Confederate prisoners during the Civil War.

History of Alton

Alton was once growing very fast. Some business leaders in St. Louis, Missouri, even tried to build a new town called Grafton, Illinois to compete with Alton. They wanted to keep business in St. Louis.

Many homes in Alton were built in the beautiful Victorian Queen Anne style. These houses show how rich the city was when river traffic and shipping were booming. Alton was a busy trading center for farms in the area. Many homes on the hills have amazing views of the Mississippi River.

Early Beginnings

Long before European settlers arrived, the Alton area was home to Native Americans for thousands of years. The Illiniwek people lived here when Europeans first explored the area. We know about earlier settlements from old tools and the famous Piasa bird painting. This large image is on a nearby cliff face. A French priest named Father Jacques Marquette first wrote about it in 1673.

The 1800s in Alton

Alton was started as a river town in 1818 by Rufus Easton. He named the town after his son. Easton also ran a boat service to carry people across the Mississippi River to Missouri. Alton is in a special spot where three big rivers meet: the Illinois, the Mississippi, and the Missouri.

Alton grew into a busy trading and industrial town. The city climbs steeply from the riverfront. Huge concrete grain silos and railroad tracks were built there. These helped ship grains and farm products from the area. Many downtown buildings are made of brick. Alton used to have many brick factories, so a lot of its streets are still paved with bricks.

The lower parts of Alton can flood. Many floods have covered the historic downtown area. You can see marks on the large grain silos near the Argosy Casino that show how high the water got during different floods. The flood of 1993 was the worst in 100 years.

Alton became an important place for abolitionists. These were people who wanted to end slavery. Illinois was a free state, but Missouri, just across the river, was a slave state. People who supported slavery also lived in Alton. Sometimes, slave catchers would even raid the city.

Escaped slaves would cross the Mississippi River to find safety in Alton. From there, they would travel to safer places using the Underground Railroad. Before the American Civil War, many homes in Alton had secret tunnels and hiding spots. These were "stations" on the Underground Railroad, helping slaves escape to the North.

On November 7, 1837, an abolitionist printer named Elijah Parish Lovejoy was killed by a mob. He was trying to protect his printing press in Alton from being destroyed for the third time. He had moved from St. Louis because of strong opposition there. Lovejoy printed many anti-slavery papers and shared them around the area. When someone from the mob tried to set his warehouse on fire, Lovejoy went outside to stop him. He was shot and killed. The mob then broke into the warehouse and threw his printing press into the Mississippi River. Lovejoy is known as the first martyr of the abolition movement.

A historic home in Alton, Illinois

Alton was also the location of the last Lincoln-Douglas debate on October 15, 1858. This important debate happened before the 1858 Illinois Senatorial Election. Today, a memorial in downtown Alton has large statues of Lincoln and Douglas. They show how the two men might have looked during their debate.

Just two weeks after the American Civil War began, Alton played a role in the Camp Jackson affair. This event helped lead to the removal of Missouri Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson from office. The U.S. government moved 21,000 guns from St. Louis to Alton for safety on April 29, 1861.

The first prison in Illinois was built in Alton. Only a small part of it remains today. During the Civil War, the Union army used it to hold prisoners of war. About 12,000 Confederate soldiers were kept there. During a smallpox outbreak in 1863-1864, many prisoners died. A large grave on the north side of Alton holds many of these soldiers. A memorial marks the spot.

Alton in the 1900s

Robert Pershing Wadlow was born in Alton. He is listed in the Guinness World Records as the tallest documented man in the world. He was 8 feet 11.1 inches (2.72 meters) tall. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Upper Alton. The earth over his grave was raised so visitors can see how long it is compared to other graves. A statue of him and a copy of his chair are on College Avenue.

In 1937, two fishermen from Alton caught a bull shark in the Mississippi River. They had noticed something bothering their traps. They built a strong wire trap and caught the 5-foot (1.5 m), 84-pound (38 kg) shark. They showed it at the Calhoun Fish Market, and many people came to see it.

In 1954, Alton was one of three cities considered for the new United States Air Force Academy. However, Colorado Springs, Colorado was chosen instead.

Alton during the Great Flood of 1993

Because Alton is on the Mississippi River, the Great Flood of 1993 caused a lot of damage. Alton's water supply was cut off, and people needed bottled water for over three weeks. Many businesses, including Anheuser-Busch from St. Louis, gave money to help Alton.

The old bridge connecting Alton to West Alton, Missouri was old and dangerous. It was taken down in the 1990s. The new Clark Bridge opened in 1994. It has two lanes of traffic in each direction and two bike lanes. The bridge was built even during the Great Flood of 1993. Its unique design won awards. Pieces of the bridge's cables were given out to children in Alton. The story of building this bridge was even shown on the TV show Nova in a documentary called Super Bridge.

Geography and Nature

Alton is located at 38°54′2″N 90°9′35″W / 38.90056°N 90.15972°W / 38.90056; -90.15972. This spot is on the Mississippi River, just above where the Missouri River joins it. Most of Alton is on high bluffs that look over the river valley. The Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route runs along the riverfront in Alton.

A monument and observation tower called Confluence Tower is nearby in Hartford, IL. It offers great views of where the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers meet. This spot also marks the beginning of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Also on the river in Alton is Lock and Dam 26. This is the newest and busiest lock and dam on the main part of the Mississippi River. Next to it is the National Great Rivers Museum, which offers tours of the dam. On the Missouri side, the Audubon Center at Riverlands is a great place to see birds. It's near where the Mississippi Flyway brings together birds from three major rivers.

The River Road goes along the river north to Grafton. It offers views of the tall cliffs on the Illinois side and the flat, green farmland of Portage des Sioux, Missouri. The Great River Road is a popular route for bicycle touring. A small town called Elsah, Illinois is hidden in a notch of the cliff. It used to be a rough place for tugboat workers but now has old houses and antique shops.

Population of Alton

Alton is a diverse city. Here's a look at its population breakdown from recent censuses:

Economy and Tourism

Railroad station in Alton, 1925

In the late 1800s and 1900s, Alton became a center for heavy industry and manufacturing. Companies like Laclede Steel had big steel factories here. Other local industries included Cope Plastics and Hanley Industries. Alton also had large glass bottle factories and cardboard box makers, but these are no longer open.

As industries changed, Alton started to focus on new things. It has become a popular place for tourists. People come to Alton for antique shopping, visiting historic places, and gambling at the Argosy Casino. Other fun things to do in Alton include:

• Alton Marina
• Nine golf courses, including Spencer T. Olin, designed by Arnold Palmer.
• Nice restaurants and nightlife.
• Many bed-and-breakfasts and guest houses.

Many visitors also come to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. A special bike path runs for miles north of town along the Mississippi River. It goes below the limestone bluffs and is mostly flat and shady, making it great for families. During bird migration seasons, Alton is a top spot for birdwatchers. In winter, many bald eagles come to Alton. They rest on the Illinois limestone bluffs and eat fish from the river.

Alton is part of the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route. A few miles north is Père Marquette State Park. It has a lodge built during the WPA era. The park offers trails for hiking and horseback riding.

Alton is also a station stop for high-speed passenger train service between St. Louis and Chicago. This service started on September 13, 2017. Alton also won the Small Business Revolution: Main Street contest, which gave the community $100,000 to help local small businesses.

Arts and Culture

Arts Scene

Alton is home to the Jacoby Arts Center (JAC). This group supports local arts and art education. It gets some funding from the Illinois Arts Council. The JAC is located on Broadway in a building that used to be a furniture store for almost 100 years. It has a public art gallery and offers art classes for kids and adults. It also hosts live music and supports writing programs.

Alton also has its own Alton Symphony Orchestra (ASO). It's one of the best community orchestras in the Midwest. Musicians range from teenagers to senior citizens. The ASO performs several concerts each year, including a special concert for children.

Theater Performances

The Alton Little Theater started in 1934. It's a community theater that puts on plays and musicals all year. Volunteers work together to create quality shows in a cozy setting. Alton's high schools also put on plays throughout the school year.

Alton Children's Theater was founded in 1958. It provides live theater for children. Their plays are now held at Lewis and Clark Community College's Hatheway Hall. For many years, the company has performed for up to 10,000 children each year. Volunteers work with a professional director for the annual performances.

Famous Landmarks

The tall Lovejoy monument, honoring free speech and the end of slavery

The Piasa Bird mural, a reproduction of an ancient Native American painting on a cliff

• The Piasa Bird painting: This is a reproduction of an old Native American mural on a cliff face northwest of the city.
• Elijah P. Lovejoy Monument: A 110-foot-tall memorial to the famous abolitionist and free speech supporter. He was killed by a mob. The monument is in Alton Cemetery.
• Confederate Cemetery: A monument here honors 1,354 Confederate soldiers who died in the Alton prison.
• Lincoln Douglas Square: Statues of Lincoln and Douglas mark this spot. It's where they had their last debate on October 15, 1858.
• The Beall Mansion: A beautiful home built in 1902 and 1903. It was once the private home of Edmond Beall, who was mayor of Alton four times.
• St. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church: This church is over 150 years old. It was once the main church for the Diocese of Alton.
• First Unitarian Church: Located at 110 E. Third Street, this church is built on the foundation of an older church. It is known as one of Alton's most popular places for ghost hunting. It was also a stop on the Underground Railroad.
• The Mineral Springs Hotel: Opened in 1914 because of a natural spring on the property. It is also considered one of the most haunted places in the city.
• Robert Pershing Wadlow statue: A statue of the tallest documented man in the world.
• The Clark Bridge (1994): A modern cable-stayed bridge.
• Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route: A beautiful road that runs through the city along the river.
• Argosy Casino Alton: A casino owned by Penn National Gaming.
• National Great Rivers Museum: Includes tours of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, a busy lock and dam on the Mississippi River.
• Audubon Center at Riverlands: A great spot for birdwatching, located near the Melvin Price Locks and Dam.
• Alton Riverfront Amphitheater: An outdoor stage in Alton's Riverfront Park with views of the Mississippi River and the Clark Bridge.

Education in Alton

The Alton Community Unit School District 11 serves about 6,480 students. Teachers in the district have an average of 13.5 years of experience. The high school graduation rate is very high, at 97.7%.

Alton High School is the public high school. It has a modern gymnasium and tennis courts. The high school has a great math team and music program. It also offers an honors program for advanced students.

The Alton Middle School is located in the old Alton High School buildings. It serves students in grades 6–8. It is the largest middle school in Illinois, with about 1,500 students. The main building is very old and has interesting Romanesque architecture. The school system also has a special program for students in grades 1-8. This program gives students access to more knowledge and special projects.

Marquette Catholic High School is another school in the area. It is named after the French explorer, Father Jacques Marquette. Its sports teams are called the Explorers.

Alton was also home to two other important schools in the past:

• Shurtleff College (1827 to 1957): Its campus is now home to the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine.
• Western Military Academy (1879 to 1971): A well-known military prep school.

Transportation

Alton station offers Amtrak train service. Trains travel north to Chicago Union Station and south to Gateway Transportation Center in St. Louis. Madison County Transit provides bus service in the city. There are bus stops downtown and at the Amtrak station.

Media and Entertainment

Alton has a daily newspaper called The Telegraph. It covers local news, sports, and national news.

Locally owned Big Z Media runs Radio Station WBGZ 1570AM and 107.1FM, and Music Radio Station 94.3FM. In 2022, Big Z Media also bought AdVantage News. This is a free online and print newspaper that focuses on community stories and local news.

Alton also has an online resource called Riverbender.com. It's named after the bend in the Mississippi River nearby. Riverbender.com provides local and national news, sports, and event information. In 2007, it was the first company to broadcast Alton High School sports games live online.

Alton in Film and TV

The 1979 movie Dreamer, starring Tim Matheson, was mostly filmed in Alton. The McPike Mansion and Mineral Springs Hotel were featured on the Travel Channel show Ghost Adventures. Alton was also part of the third season of the Hulu series Small Business Revolution.

Notable People from Alton

Many interesting people have connections to Alton:

• David J. Apple: A pioneer in eye research.
• Frank Ballard: A famous puppeteer.
• Joseph Brown: A miller and steamboat captain who was mayor of Alton and later St. Louis.
• Miles Davis: A world-famous jazz musician.
• Ezekiel Elliott: An NFL football player.
• David Goins: The first African-American mayor of Alton.
• Craig Hentrich: An NFL football player.
• Mary Beth Hughes: An actress.
• Elijah Lovejoy: The abolitionist printer.
• Edward O'Hare: A Medal of Honor winner. O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named after him.
• William S. Paley: The founder of CBS Corp.
• James Earl Ray: Convicted for the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
• Phyllis Schlafly: A conservative writer and activist.
• Paul Tibbets Jr.: The pilot of the Enola Gay airplane.
• Lyman Trumbull: A U.S. Senator who helped write the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution (which ended slavery).
• Robert Wadlow: The tallest known person in recorded history.
• Jesse White: A former Secretary of State of Illinois.

Images for kids

• 

  The Great River Road in Illinois north of Alton, looking south.

See also

In Spanish: Alton (Illinois) para niños