73-634: Alton Little Theater , founded in 1933, is a non-profit community theater located in Alton, Illinois . Dorothy Colonius, a local English teacher, along with other educators and their students worked to create a community theater in Alton. Dorothy became the permanent artistic director and pushed for a permanent home for the theater. [1] Alton Little Theater (ALT) is the oldest live theater in Illinois run continuous shows. [2] ALT traditionally produces five shows
146-539: A competing town to stop Alton's expansion and bring business to St. Louis. The resulting town was Grafton, Illinois . Many blocks of housing in Alton were built in the Victorian Queen Anne style . They represent a prosperous period in the river city's history. At the top of the hill in the commercial area, several stone churches and a fine city hall also represent the city's wealth during its good times based on river traffic, manufacturing, and shipping. It
219-487: A large selection of bed-and-breakfasts and guest houses. Some visitors come to explore the natural environment of the area. A designated bikeway extends for miles north of town along the Mississippi River and below the limestone bluffs; its relatively flat grade and passage through tree-shaded areas makes it an easy ride for families. During the migration seasons, Alton is a destination for birdwatchers along
292-712: A peak flow rate of 1,080,000 ft /s (30,600 m /s). At this rate, a bowl the size of Busch Memorial Stadium in St. Louis would be filled to the brim in 70 seconds. Some locations on the Mississippi River flooded for almost 200 days, while various regions by the Missouri neared 100 days of flooding. On the Mississippi, Grafton, Illinois , recorded flooding for 195 days; Clarksville, Missouri , for 187 days; Winfield, Missouri , for 183 days; Hannibal, Missouri , for 174 days; and Quincy, Illinois , for 152 days. The Missouri River
365-481: A popular tourist destination. Alton's location and historical heritage make it a popular destination for antique shopping, touring historic areas, and gambling aboard the Argosy Casino. Other Greater Alton attractions include Alton Marina; nine golf courses, including Spencer T. Olin, the only Arnold Palmer-designed and -managed course in Illinois or the St. Louis Metropolitan area; fine dining and night life; and
438-530: A residential bishopric, is today listed by the Catholic Church as a titular see . Titular bishops appointed to the see have been John Clayton Nienstedt , and Josu Iriondo . On October 15, 1858, Alton was the site of the seventh Lincoln-Douglas debate . A memorial at the site in downtown Alton features oversized statues of Lincoln and Douglas, as they would have appeared during the debate. Congressional representatives came to Alton when they drafted
511-587: A significant role preceding and during the American Civil War . It was the site of the last Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas debate in October 1858. The former state penitentiary in Alton was used during the Civil War to hold up to 12,000 Confederate prisoners of war. Although Alton once was growing faster than the nearby city of St. Louis, a coalition of St. Louis businessmen planned to build
584-575: A state of disaster for Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri and asked Congress to approve 2.5 billion dollars in Federal disaster relief. During this time the Army National Guard and American Red Cross set up water stations, and the local Anheuser-Busch distributor contributed water in white six-packs with their logo on it. Once running water was restored, there was enough pressure for people to bathe and flush toilets, but
657-763: A three-hour period. From May through July, Sioux Falls, South Dakota received 22.55 inches (573 mm) of rain, the wettest three-month period in its history. As noted above, rains in South Dakota contributed to flooding downstream. In June, flooding occurred along the Black River in Wisconsin , with flooding also starting to occur along the Mississippi , Missouri , and Kansas rivers . Starting as early as June 7, reports of levees being overtopped and levee breaks became common. These breaches acted to delay
730-601: A variety of media for adults and children, strong performing arts programming including a monthly live music performance, and an outlet to the literary arts, through such programs as the "Poetry Out Loud" high school-level competition and support of the Alton Writers Guild. Alton is also home to the Alton Symphony Orchestra (ASO). As of 2011, the ASO was in its 66th season, and is considered one of
803-468: A year from September to May. As of the start of their 89th season in 2022, they have had over 500 productions. ALT regularly receives nominations for Arts For Life awards, most recently garnering several nominations (and two wins) for their 2009 production of Radio Gals . 38°54′56″N 90°10′38″W / 38.9155°N 90.1771°W / 38.9155; -90.1771 Alton, Illinois Alton ( / ˈ ɔː l t ən / AWL -tən )
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#1732780227396876-756: Is a city on the Mississippi River in Madison County, Illinois , United States, about 18 miles (29 km) north of St. Louis, Missouri . The population was 25,676 at the 2020 census . It is a part of the River Bend area in the Metro-East region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area. It is well known for its limestone bluffs along the river north of the city. It the former location of an historical state penitentiary, and played
949-415: Is a favorite spot to watch bald eagles , which feed on fish coming up in waters below the dam. A large bird sanctuary is located in an area of floodplain and wetlands on the west side of the river. The River Road goes right next to the river north to Grafton . Above that, it is often routed inland of the floodplain. It provides views of the dramatic contrast between the high cliffs of the Illinois side to
1022-529: Is among the most costly and devastating to ever occur in the United States, with 50 dead and US$ 12–16 billion in damages (equivalent to $ 23–30 billion in 2023). The hydrographic basin affected an area approximately totaling 320,000 square miles (830,000 km ), of about 745 miles (1,199 km) in length and about 435 miles (700 km) in width. Within this zone, the flooded area totaled around 30,000 square miles (78,000 km ) and
1095-465: Is demonstrated by archaeological artifacts and the famous prehistoric Piasa bird painted on a cliff face nearby. The image was described in 1673 by French missionary priest Father Jacques Marquette . Alton was developed as a river town in January 1818 by Rufus Easton , who named it after his son. Easton ran a passenger ferry service across the Mississippi River to the Missouri shore. Alton
1168-499: Is housed in the old Alton High School complex. Alton Middle School serves grades 6–8. The school is made up of three buildings: the main building, annex, and Olin Building. The Main building is the oldest. It is of architectural interest for its Romanesque design . Alton Middle School is the largest middle school in Illinois, with approximately 1,500 students. The school system has a student program for 1st through 8th grades, covering
1241-549: Is located amid the confluence of three navigable rivers: the Illinois , the Mississippi, and the Missouri . Alton grew into a river trading town with an industrial character. The city rises steeply from the waterfront, where massive concrete grain silos and railroad tracks were constructed in the 19th and 20th centuries to store and ship the area's grains and produce. Brick commercial buildings are spread throughout downtown. Once
1314-655: Is now the site of the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine . Alton station provides Amtrak intercity rail service along the Lincoln Service route. 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 with hubs downtown and at the Amtrak station. Alton has one daily newspaper, The Telegraph , formerly
1387-648: Is the Jones-Confluence Point State Park , where one can stand at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. According to the 2010 census, Alton has a total area of 16.736 square miles (43.35 km ), of which 15.47 square miles (40.07 km ) (or 92.44%) is land and 1.266 square miles (3.28 km ) (or 7.56%) is water. The National Great Rivers Museum is located at the new Lock and Dam No. 26, or Melvin Price Locks and Dam . The lock and dam are open for tours. The lock
1460-686: Is the National Great Rivers Museum [ Wikidata ] , which features tours of the dam itself several times per day. On the Missouri side is the Audubon Center at Riverlands , which is one of the best places in the world to view birds, as it lies near where the Mississippi Flyway merges the flight paths of the Mississippi, Illinois, and Missouri rivers. Also adjacent to the Audubon Center
1533-523: The Alton Evening Telegraph . The Telegraph provides coverage of local news, as well as sports and relevant national news. Locally owned Big Z Media operates Radio Station WBGZ 1570AM and 107.1FM and Music Radio Station 94.3FM. In 2022, Big Z Media acquired AdVantage News , a free online (daily) and print newspaper, focusing on community features and hyperlocal news. Alton also has internet-based resource, Riverbender.com. Named for
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#17327802273961606-416: The American Civil War , Union forces used it to hold prisoners of war, and some 12,000 Confederates were held there. During the smallpox epidemic of 1863–1864, an estimated 1500–2200 men died. A Confederate mass grave on the north side of Alton holds many of the dead from the epidemic and a memorial marks the site. Often when Confederate prisoners escaped, they tried to cross the Mississippi River back to
1679-578: The Catholic Church in 1857. Its first bishop was French-born Henry Damian Juncker . The new diocese had 58 churches, 18 priests, and 50,000 Catholics. When he died, 11 years later, the churches were 125, the priests more than 100, and the Catholics 80,000. He was succeeded by Peter Joseph Baltes from Germany (1869–1886) and James Ryan (1888–1923). In 1923 the bishop's seat was moved to Springfield, Illinois . The Diocese of Alton, no longer
1752-558: The Mississippi Flyway ; winter visitors come to see the bald eagles that roost on the Illinois limestone bluffs and feed on fish in the river. It is the area of the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway . A few miles to the north is Père Marquette State Park , with a WPA -era lodge and attractions including trails for hikers and riders, and horses for hire. On January 28, 2010, Illinois
1825-629: The Southern Illinois University Dental School. The Sisters of St Francis of the Martyr St George have their American province motherhouse in Alton. In 1937 two commercial fishermen from Alton caught a bull shark in the Mississippi River. Late that summer they had realized something was troubling their wood and mesh traps. Concluding that it was a fish, they built a strong wire trap and baited it with chicken guts. The next morning, they caught
1898-829: The Thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution, to permanently end slavery throughout the Union. Alton resident and US Senator Lyman Trumbull , chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee , co-wrote the Thirteenth Amendment. His Alton home, the Lyman Trumbull House , is a National Historic Monument. Just two weeks into the American Civil War , Alton played a role in the infamous Camp Jackson Affair , which led to
1971-616: The Travel Channel series, Ghost Adventures . Alton was featured on the third season of the Hulu series Small Business Revolution. Great Flood of 1993 The Great Flood of 1993 (or Great Mississippi and Missouri Rivers Flood of 1993 ) was a flood that occurred in the Midwestern United States , along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and their tributaries, from April to October 1993. The flood
2044-540: The Underground Railroad to aid slaves escaping to the North . On November 7, 1837, the abolitionist printer Reverend Elijah P. Lovejoy was murdered by a pro- slavery mob while he tried to protect his Alton-based press from being destroyed for the third time. He had moved from St. Louis because of opposition there. He had printed many abolitionist tracts and distributed them throughout the area. When one of
2117-496: The 1973 Mississippi and the 1951 Missouri River floods. Civil Air Patrol crews from 21 states served more than 5,000 meals to flood victims and volunteers, and their pilots logged more than 1,500 hours in the air inspecting utility lines and pipelines. Over 1,000 flood warnings and statements, five times the normal, were issued to notify the public and need-to-know officials of river levels. In such places as St. Louis, river levels were nearly 20 feet (6.1 m) above flood stage,
2190-625: The 1993 flood, was featured in the documentary Super Bridge on Nova . In 2021, voters in the city elected David Goins as Alton's first black mayor. Alton is located on the Mississippi River above the mouth of the Missouri River . Most of Alton is located on bluffs overlooking the river valley. The Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway runs along the Alton riverfront. A monument and observatory tower, Confluence Tower , located next to
2263-542: The 5-foot 84-pound shark, which they displayed in the Calhoun Fish Market, where it attracted crowds for days. World War II saw a group of seven brothers join the military and variously became decorated veterans. Among these were Millard Glen Gray, who was decorated by Douglas MacArthur , and Neil Gray, who received the Silver Star . In 1954, the city of Alton was named as one of three finalists for
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2336-488: The Arsenal and capture its 39,000 small arms, Secretary of War Simon Cameron ordered Lyon (by that time in acting command) to evacuate the majority of the arms to Illinois. 21,000 guns were secretly evacuated to Alton on the evening of April 29, 1861. The first penitentiary in Illinois was built in Alton. While only a corner of it within a few blocks of the river remains, it once extended nearly to "Church Hill". During
2409-482: The Great Flood of 1993. The award-winning cable-stayed design was done by Hanson Engineers of Springfield, Illinois . Pieces of cables identical to those of the bridge were handed out in educational settings all over the city to allow the city's children to "take home a piece of the bridge". The complex work of construction of the bridge, in which engineers had to deal with the strong river current, barge traffic and
2482-661: The Madison County Arts Council), a not-for-profit organization that supports local arts and art education and is partially funded by the Illinois Arts Council. It is located on Broadway between Henry and Ridge Streets in the building that housed the Jacoby Furniture Store for nearly 100 years. The JAC is a regional arts center, serving 17 counties throughout south central Illinois, providing a public art gallery, art classes in
2555-614: The Middle School. This program gives participating students access to wider knowledge as well as special projects. Marquette Catholic High School , named after the French explorer, Father Jacques Marquette , serves the area as well. Its sports teams are called the Explorers. Alton was home to Shurtleff College from 1827 to 1957 and prominent military prep school Western Military Academy from 1879 to 1971. The Shurtleff campus
2628-411: The Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, causing river gauges to malfunction along the way. The record crests met within days of each other at their confluence near St. Louis. Navigation on the Mississippi and Missouri River was closed in early July, resulting in a loss of $ 2 million (1993) per day in commerce. Mississippi River levels stabilized for a few days at April 1973 record stages. When the crest from
2701-747: The Missouri River arrived, levels rose again. The Mississippi River broke through levees, drove people and their possessions to higher ground, and caused havoc through the floodplains. The crests, now combined as one, moved downstream through St. Louis on the way to the Upper Mississippi's confluence with the Ohio River at Cairo, Illinois . Only minor flooding occurred below Cairo due to the Lower Mississippi's larger channel below that point, as well as drought conditions in
2774-431: The Missouri River. Navigation on the Mississippi and Missouri River had been closed since early July, resulting in a loss of $ 2 million (1993) per day in commerce. James Scott , a 23-year-old Illinois man, was convicted in 1994 for "intentionally causing a catastrophe" and sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in causing some of the flooding across the river from Quincy, Illinois . In an attempt to strand his wife on
2847-628: The Upper Midwest with voluminous rainfall. Portions of east-central Iowa received as much as 48 inches (120 cm) of rain between April 1 and August 31, 1993, and many areas across the central-northern plains had precipitation 400–750% above normal. In the St. Louis National Weather Service (NWS) forecast area encompassing eastern Missouri and southwest Illinois , 36 forecast points rose above flood stage , and 20 river-stage records were broken. The 1993 flood broke record river levels set during
2920-403: The average family size was 3.02. In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males. The median income for a household in the city
2993-445: The average number of teaching years in the district is 13.5; the high school graduation rate is 97.7%; the elementary pupil-teacher ratio is 18.9; and the secondary pupil-teacher ratio is 22.3. The Alton High School has an award-winning math team and music program. Alton High School offers an honors program. Alton High School is the new public school, complete with a three-court gymnasium and six tennis courts. The Alton Middle School
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3066-439: The broad, flat, green agricultural countryside of Portage des Sioux, Missouri . The Great River Road is a popular bicycle touring route. Hidden in a notch of the cliff is the tiny village of Elsah , once a down-and-dirty, liquor-soaked tugboaters' retreat, now with renovated properties and antique shops in historic houses. As of the census of 2000, there were 30,496 people, 12,518 households, and 7,648 families residing in
3139-433: The city. The population density was 1,949.3 inhabitants per square mile (752.6/km ). There were 13,894 housing units at an average density of 888.1 per square mile (342.9/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 72.3% White , 24.7% African American , 0.18% Native American , 0.4% Asian , <0.1% Pacific Islander , 0.7% from other races , and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.5% of
3212-470: The confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers in neighboring Hartford, IL , has been constructed to provide an overview of the Great Rivers area. This point also marks the beginning of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition . Also on the river at Alton is Lock and Dam 26 , the newest and busiest lock and dam complex on the main channel of the Mississippi River. Adjacent to it on the Illinois side
3285-497: The eastern U.S. If the Ohio River watershed had not been in drought while the Missouri and Upper Mississippi were in flood, the 1993 flood might have rivaled the 1927 flood in overall damage on the Lower Mississippi, beyond Cairo. On August 1, levee breaks near Columbia, Illinois , flooded 47,000 acres (190 km ) of land, inundating the Illinois towns of Valmeyer and Fults . The released water continued to flow parallel to
3358-523: The eruption were responsible for the Great Flood of 1993 in the Midwestern United States . Above-normal rainfall and below-normal temperatures beginning in the summer of 1992 resulted in above-normal soil moisture and reservoir levels in the Missouri and Upper Mississippi River basins. This weather pattern persisted throughout the following autumn. During the winter of 1992–93, the region experienced heavy snowfall. These conditions were followed by persistent spring weather patterns that produced storms over
3431-575: The eviction of Missouri Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson from office. The State of Missouri's neutrality was tested in a conflict over the St. Louis Arsenal . The Federal Government reinforced the Arsenal's tiny garrison with several detachments, including a force from the 2nd Infantry under Captain Nathaniel Lyon . Concerned by widespread reports that Governor Jackson intended to use the Missouri Volunteer Militia to attack
3504-470: The flood crests, temporarily storing excess water in the adjacent lowlands, but the rain kept falling. In the beginning of June, the Missouri and Mississippi rivers dropped below flood stage and were receding. During the second week of June, river levels rose to near flood stage before yet again beginning their slow recession. By the end of June, the Mississippi River was four feet (1.2 m) below flood stage at St. Louis , while many other river locations in
3577-471: The highest ever recorded there in 228 years. The 52-foot (16 m)-high St. Louis Floodwall, built to handle the volume of the 1844 flood, was able to keep the 1993 flood out with just over two feet (0.61 m) to spare. This floodwall was built in the 1960s, to great controversy, out of interlocking prefabricated concrete blocks. Emergency officials estimated that nearly all of the 700 privately built agricultural levees were overtopped or destroyed along
3650-503: The local bend in the Mississippi River, Riverbender is a portal serving local and national news, sports, obits, classifieds, and events. In 2007 it was the first company to broadcast the Alton High School 's sports games live online. The 1979 feature film Dreamer , starring Tim Matheson , Susan Blakely and Jack Warden , was primarily shot on location in Alton. The McPike Mansion and Mineral Springs Hotel were featured on
3723-542: The location of the new United States Air Force Academy . Alton lost to the winning site of Colorado Springs, Colorado . Because of Alton's location at the Mississippi River, the Great Flood of 1993 with its high water levels caused severe damage to the city. Alton's water supply was cut off due to flooding, and townspeople had to be supplied with bottled water for more than three weeks. Many local businesses, including Anheuser-Busch of St. Louis, donated funds to help
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#17327802273963796-405: The mob made a move to set the old warehouse on fire, Lovejoy, armed with only a pistol, went outside to try to stop him. The pro-slavery man shot him dead (with a shotgun, five rounds through the midsection). The mob stormed the warehouse and threw Lovejoy's printing press into the Mississippi. Lovejoy thus became the first martyr of the abolition movement. Alton became the seat of a diocese of
3869-475: The month averaged from one inch (25 mm) above normal at St. Louis and Springfield, to between six and seven inches (150 and 180 mm) above normal at Columbia and Kansas City, Missouri. In Iowa, the flood waters brought mass destruction. On July 9, four buildings on Iowa State University 's campus flooded; resulting in over 1.4 million dollars in estimated damages and six weeks of construction to reopen. The college's indoor sports arena, Hilton Coliseum ,
3942-615: The other side of the river so he could continue partying, Scott allegedly removed several sandbags from a levee holding back the water. The breach flooded 14,000 acres (57 km ) of farmland, destroyed buildings, and closed a bridge. His conviction was overturned in 1997, but reinstated in 1998. He maintains his innocence behind bars. The Redwood River in Minnesota began experiencing severe flooding in May. On May 22, Sioux Falls, South Dakota , received 7.5 inches (190 mm) of rain in
4015-449: The people of Alton. The original bridge connecting Alton with West Alton, Missouri , was a two-lane (one in each direction) bridge that had become a hazard for motorists and a hindrance for emergency vehicles. The northernmost bridge in the St. Louis metropolitan area, it was torn down in the 1990s. The current Clark Bridge , with two lanes of divided traffic in each direction, plus two bike lanes, opened in 1994. Work had proceeded during
4088-408: The population. There were 12,518 households, out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and
4161-732: The premier community orchestras in the Midwest. Musicians range from young adults in their teens to senior citizens. It holds four regular season concerts, a stylish pops concert, and a children's concert; the symphony offers performances to entertain and educate diverse sectors of the community. Founded in 1934 as a community theater, the Alton Little Theater continues to produce a full season of dramatic and comedic plays and musicals. Its all-volunteer members bring quality theater productions to Alton in an intimate setting. The Alton high schools all offer theatrical productions throughout
4234-595: The region were near flood stage. Precipitation for the month averaged from one inch (25 mm) above normal in Kansas City , to nearly four inches (100 mm) above normal in Springfield, Missouri . July brought more heavy rain to the Missouri and upper Mississippi River basins in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Illinois, and Minnesota. Rainfall amounts of 5 to 7 inches (130 to 180 millimetres) in 24 hours were common. Precipitation for
4307-495: The river, approaching the levees protecting historic Prairie du Rocher and Fort de Chartres . On August 3, officials decided to break through the stronger Mississippi River levee to allow the water back into the river. The plan worked and the historic areas were saved, although some residential areas were flooded in counties above Prairie du Rocher. The Mississippi River at St. Louis crested at 49.6 feet (15.1 m) on August 1, nearly 20 feet (6.1 m) above flood stage. It had
4380-408: The same locations. Soils across much of the affected area were saturated by June 1, with additional rainfall all running off into streams and rivers, instead of soaking into the ground. These wet-weather conditions contrasted sharply with the droughts and heat waves experienced in the southeastern United States. Storms, persistent and repetitive in nature during the late spring and summer, crowded
4453-530: The school year as well. Alton Children's Theater, founded in 1958 by Solveig Sullivan, has provided live theater for children through the years. The 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 annually. This all-volunteer membership hires a professional director, who works with the members for the annual week of performances. Based on 2006 district data, Alton Community Unit School District 11 enrollment stands at 6,480;
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#17327802273964526-545: The site of several brick factories, Alton has an unusually high number of streets still paved in brick. The lower levels of Alton are subject to floods, many of which have inundated the historic downtown area. The dates of different flood levels are marked on the large grain silos, part of the Ardent Mills, near the Argosy Casino at the waterfront. The flood of 1993 is considered the worst of the last century. Alton became an important town for abolitionists , as Illinois
4599-577: The slave state of Missouri . Alton native Robert Pershing Wadlow , listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's tallest man at 8 feet 11.1 inches tall, 2.72 m, is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in the area known as Upper Alton. The earth over his grave was raised so visitors can compare its length to other graves. A memorial to him, including a life-sized statue and a replica of his chair, stands on College Avenue, across from
4672-538: The town. Local industry also includes Cope Plastics and Hanley Industries. Alton was home to once-thriving, now defunct, industries such as the Owens-Illinois Glass Bottle Works and Alton Box Board Company (a maker of all types of cardboard boxes for all types of uses). Restructuring in the industry in the mid-20th century led Alton to create a new future. It has facilities for corporate and vacation retreats and it has transitioned into
4745-547: The water was not certified potable until July 29. The final usage restrictions were lifted in August. Major sandbagging activities took place along the higher Missouri River, the River des Peres in St. Louis, the Mississippi River south of St. Louis, and on many other tributaries across Missouri and Illinois. Some of these efforts were successful, while others were not. The copious rain during July sent record-setting crests down
4818-498: The whole towns of Valmeyer, Illinois , and Rhineland, Missouri , were relocated to higher ground. Reports in 1994 set the deaths due to the flood at 38, though this had been revised to 50 deaths by 1996. The fiscal cost is estimated at $ 12–16 billion (equivalent to $ 23–30 billion in 2023). Even after the water was gone, large amounts of sand still covered the farmlands and homes. Over time, channeling and levee construction have altered how floods affect various areas along
4891-491: Was $ 31,213, and the median income for a family was $ 37,910. Males had a median income of $ 33,083 versus $ 22,485 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 16,817. About 14.7% of families and 18.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.8% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over. In the late 19th and 20th centuries, Alton became a town of heavy industry and manufacturing. Laclede Steel established major steel manufacturing operations in
4964-492: Was a commercial center for a large agricultural area. Numerous residences on hills have sweeping views of the Mississippi River. The Alton area was home to Native Americans for thousands of years before the 19th-century founding by European Americans of the modern city. Historic accounts indicate occupation of this area by the Illinois Confederation at the time of European contact. Earlier native settlement
5037-438: Was a free state, separated from the slave state of Missouri only by the Mississippi River. Pro-slavery activists also lived there and slave catchers often raided the city. Escaped slaves would cross the river to seek shelter in Alton, and proceed to safer places through stations of the Underground Railroad . During the years before the American Civil War , several homes were equipped with tunnels and hiding places for stations on
5110-505: Was above flood stage for 62 days in Jefferson City, Missouri , 77 days at Hermann, Missouri , and for 94 days at St. Charles in the St. Louis metropolitan area. On October 7, 103 days after the flooding began, the Mississippi River at St. Louis finally dropped below flood stage. Approximately 100,000 homes were destroyed as a result of the flooding, 15,000,000 acres (23,000 sq mi; 61,000 km ) of farmland inundated, and
5183-580: Was flooded with as much as fourteen feet of water. From July 11 until July 22, the Des Moines Water Works was flooded by the Raccoon River . This resulted in the plant being powered down, unable to provide running water for that period. On July 13, electricity returned to more than 35,000 residents. That same day President Bill Clinton toured Iowa's capitol and neighboring cities alongside Governor Terry Branstad . He later declared
5256-569: Was selected for a $ 1.2 billion federal award to bring high-speed passenger rail service to Illinois by 2015–2017. Alton has been selected as a station stop on a line running from St. Louis to Chicago, and opened on September 13, 2017. Alton won the Small Business Revolution: Main Street contest and got a $ 100,000 boost to its community. Alton is home to the Jacoby Arts Center (JAC) (formerly
5329-569: Was the worst such U.S. disaster since the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 , as measured by duration, area inundated, persons displaced, crop and property damage, and number of record river levels. In some categories, the 1993 flood even surpassed the 1927 flood, at the time the largest flood ever recorded on the Mississippi River. A volcanic winter is thought to have started with the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo . It has been suggested that excess cloud condensation nuclei from
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