Alton became an important port on the Mississippi, partially because its geography allowed for easy landing.

Courtney Wigton
Civic Memorial High School, Bethalto

It is often hard to imagine how a city began. To many people, the future of a city is more important than its past. However, there would be no future of a city without its history. There are many people and geographic factors that affect the development of an area. Alton, Illinois, twenty-five miles north of St. Louis, is not just another ordinary city. It is located on the north side of the Mississippi River and is in what is known as the River Bend area. Alton's location as a river town and its unique topography have always set it apart from the surrounding area. The Mississippi River is the longest river in the United States and is the nation's chief inland waterway. It carries agricultural goods, raw materials, and industrial products. The Mississippi River greatly affected the development of Alton in many ways.

Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet spotted the Piasa Bird in Alton during their famous journey down the Mississippi River in 1673. They described the Piasa as a birdlike monster painted high on the bluffs along the Mississippi River, where the city of Alton now stands. A Frenchman named Jean Baptiste Cardinal established the first settlement in Alton in 1738. The town's official founder was Rufus Easton. He eyed the site as the perfect location for a steamboat landing, which he named after his son, Alton. Although Easton never lived there, he started passenger ferry-line service between Alton and Missouri in 1818.

The rivers of mid-America were the main avenues of approach for new territories. Alton's location on the Mississippi River gave it great advantages in commerce and transportation. Smelzer's Ferry and Fountain Ferry were located just above Alton and took settlers to Missouri and the far West. Early promoters talked of Alton's ideal location on the National Road leading from Washington. This attracted business to Alton to transport products down the river.

In the early 1800s, rivers were the main means of transportation. When steamboats replaced keel-boats and barges, business was greatly advanced. With the coming of steamboats, the Mississippi River became a great transportation and trade route. Mississippi River cities served as supply centers for the westward movement. As a river town, Alton grew rapidly in the 1830s because of the growing steamboat trade. For commerce and travel on the frontier, the Mississippi River offered the best transportation, and trade developed between Alton, St. Louis, and New Orleans. When steam power was put into use, shipping became a major industry. Alton was said to have the best landing for steamboats on the east bank of the Mississippi with a solid rock surface. In 1837 Alton was incorporated

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Alton thrived due to river commerce. The main street that paralleled the river
became dulled with impressive brick building, all testament to the success of Alton's river trade.

as a city. Due to Alton's ideal landing spot, the city grew rapidly causing the economy to boom. The growth of the city of Alton expedited the development of surrounding towns. The towns that developed include Bethalto, Godfrey, East Alton, Wood River, and Roxana.

As Alton grew, many businessmen settled in the area. As a result, a variety of restaurants, hotels, bars, and shopping centers were established. The companies became the area's largest employers and helped mold Alton's social classes and neighborhoods. As a result of this growth, the Clark Bridge over the Mississippi River in Alton was built. The bridge provides easier access between Alton and the St. Louis area and has brought travelers to the area to use the services of the River Bend today. In addition, the Alton Belle Casino on the Mississippi River was opened in 1991. The boat brings tourists and their money to the area.

However, the river is not always benevolent. From time to time, the Mississippi has caused serious floods. The River Bend has experienced several record-breaking floods, but has always survived them. The Midwest's first flood on record was in 1844. Water nearly washed the small community away, but residents persevered and continued building the River Bend. Floods in 1903, 1927, 1937, 1965, 1973, 1982, 1983, and 1993 profoundly affected the River Bend communities, but they survived. The most destructive of these floods was the 1993 flood. Cleanup after the record flood was accomplished by volunteers, the National Guard, and local and federal emergency funds. Dams and levees have provided some protection against flooding by the Mississippi River.

Without the flow of the Mississippi River through Alton, Illinois, the city would not have developed as much as it did. The Mississippi River provided Alton with a trade route, travel by water, and business. These factors allowed the River Bend area to grow and to prosper. The role the Mississippi River played in Alton's history definitely provided a good foundation for its future.— [From Charlotte Stetson, "History of the River Bend," www.theriverbend.org/history/index.html (Nov. 23, 2001); The River Bend, "History," www.altonweb.com/history.html (Nov. 22, 2001).]

38 ILLINOIS HISTORY / FEBRUARY 2002