Welcome to Alton
ALTON
Located in the bend of the Mississippi River, Alton is one of the interesting cities in downstate Illinois. It is intersected by multiple themes of historic interest: Native Americans, Lewis & Clark, the slavery debate, the Underground Railroad, freedom of the press, Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War, African American equality, and the industrial management of the great river itself. These aspects of American history are manifested at so many visitable sites that Alton can function as a stand-alone attraction. Alton is larger (population 25,000) than any other town studied by our project – a small city with a complement of tourism infrastructure (hotels, restaurants). Not to mention – beyond our project’s concern – that Alton is very pretty – often called San Francisco on the Mississippi – with three neighborhoods inscribed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as nearby Elsah, the entire village being NRHP-designated and crowned by beautiful Principia College, itself a National Historic Landmark with its Maybeck architecture.
Alton benefits from being the headquarters of the major downstate tourism bureau, Great Rivers & Routes. Our contribution has been to balance that agency’s emphasis on recreational and events tourism with our focus on Alton’s underdeveloped (under-promoted, inadequately known) cultural/historic/heritage tourism. Alton is a truly worthy destination that can easily occupy the visitor for a full three days. A walk through Alton is a journey through some of America’s most important history.
Welcome to Alton
ALTON
Located in the bend of the Mississippi River, Alton is one of the interesting cities in downstate Illinois. It is intersected by multiple themes of historic interest: Native Americans, Lewis & Clark, the slavery debate, the Underground Railroad, freedom of the press, Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War, African American equality, and the industrial management of the great river itself. These aspects of American history are manifested at so many visitable sites that Alton can function as a stand-alone attraction. Alton is larger (population 25,000) than any other town studied by our project – a small city with a complement of tourism infrastructure (hotels, restaurants). Not to mention – beyond our project’s concern – that Alton is very pretty – often called San Francisco on the Mississippi – with three neighborhoods inscribed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as nearby Elsah, the entire village being NRHP-designated and crowned by beautiful Principia College, itself a National Historic Landmark with its Maybeck architecture.
Alton benefits from being the headquarters of the major downstate tourism bureau, Great Rivers & Routes. Our contribution has been to balance that agency’s emphasis on recreational and events tourism with our focus on Alton’s underdeveloped (under-promoted, inadequately known) cultural/historic/heritage tourism. Alton is a truly worthy destination that can easily occupy the visitor for a full three days. A walk through Alton is a journey through some of America’s most important history.