On the River Banks The flowing waters of the Mighty Mississippi River have washed over artists throughout history as a muse binding music genres together. In 1914, the most popular blues song in history, “St. Louis Blues,” was written by W.C. Handy while sitting on the banks of the Mississippi…
Priscilla Baltimore, known as "The Moses of the West", helped organize the Underground Railroad system in southwest Illinois. (Photo courtesy of Rocky Fork New Bethel AME) Though she never lived in Rocky Fork, Priscilla Baltimore was instrumental in founding the community. Born in Kentucky, she was…
Whip up your own recipe for an exciting paranormal adventure in Alton with Dave and Donna Nunnally at Alton's historic and mysterious Mineral Springs Hotel. Stir together: A cup of healing energy A tablespoon of history Sprinkle liberally with ghosts to season Mix well and pour completed recipe…
Born free, John Jones apprenticed with a tailor in Memphis, Tennessee. He came to Alton in 1840 to marry his ladylove and establish a business. Unbeknownst to him, laws governed his arrival in the state. They required his registration, the provision of references to his good character, and the…
It was a dark and stormy night ... well, maybe not so stormy but definitely dark ... as a group of fellow ghost hunting travelers walked through the Mississippi River town of Alton, IL seeking spirits, specters and spooks. That isn't an unusual sight in downtown Alton. The city is considered "One of…
Ordinary people living their lives. That is the collective history of the Rocky Fork area. From those in bondage seeking freedom to those seeking a welcome and opportunity, people came to this place simply to live their lives and raise their children. Generation after generation, they called this…
Alton’s history stands tall with monumental moments, but there are none taller than Alton’s very own “Gentle Giant” – Robert Wadlow. Robert Wadlow Statute 2810 College Ave. Alton, IL 62002 Get Directions Like most first-time parents, Harold and Addie Wadlow eagerly awaited the birth of their…
(This is the debut article in a monthly series focusing on the history and impact of African ancestry on the six county Great Rivers & Routes region.) Though Illinois was admitted to the union as a free state in 1818, it was not nor had it been a welcoming place for those of African ancestry. In the…
Located at the confluence of three great American rivers - Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri - the region is picturesque with stunning bluffs, quaint villages, rolling countryside, abundant wildlife and friendly people. Each community has scenic and historic qualities unique to their location. Come…
From soul food to comfort food and everything in between, the Great Rivers & Routes region in southwest Illinois celebrates the Black-owned businesses in the region. And the diversity doesn’t stop there. Black history comes to life in the area with monuments to abolitionists, Underground Railroad…