21 The American Bottom Amanda Parsons-Twesten Belleville Township High School West, Belleville 24 The Rock River and the First Swedes in Rockford Miriam Carlson Heritage School, Rockford 26 The Cache River Wetlands: Pathway to Preservation Rachel Needham Anna-Jonesboro Community High School, Anna 27 The Ohio River Rood of 1937 Michael Pitt University High School, Urbana 29 Egypt Danielle Scott All Saints Academy, Breese 30 The Development of the Illinois and Michigan Canal and the Arrival of Immigrants Alejandra Ponce de Lean Carbondale Community High School, Carbondale 32 Thomton Quarry Carly Herweck Brookwood Junior High School, Glenwood 34 The Indians of the Vermilion River Noam Roth University High School, Urbana 35 The Kaskaskia River in Randolph County Ryan Langrehr Red Bud High School, Red Bud

37 Alton, Illinois Courtney Wigton Civic Memorial High School, Bethalto 38 Elsah: A Historic City Chelsea Wilson Good Shepherd Lutheran School, Collinsville 40 The Rise and Fall of Vishnu Springs Caroline Pircon Macomb Junior High School, Macomb On the Cover: Illinois' many rivers and its abundance of flora and fauna have attracted settlers to the region since prehistoric times. The rivers also provided an important mode of transportation, which eventually led to lively commerce in the region. Illinois Historic Preservation Agency Julie Cellini, Trustee, Chair Pamela A. Daniels, Trustee Edward M. Genson, Trustee Samuel Lilly, Trustee Carol Stein, Trustee Susan Mogerman, Director Maynard Crossland, Division Manager Public Affairs and Development Illinois History Keith A. Sculle, Editor Cynthia A. Fuener, Design Illinois History (ISSN 0019-2058) is published three times during the school year, December, February, and April, by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Printed by the authority of the State of Illinois. Articles may be reprinted with credit. Subscription rates: One copy is sent free on request to all schools in Illinois. Additional school-use subscriptions are $1 per volume (three issues). All other subscriptions are $6 per volume. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Illinois History, Old State Capitol, Springfield, Illinois 62701.

All photos unless otherwise credited are courtesy Illinois State Historical Library, Mary Michals, Iconographer.
Printed by authority of the State of Illinois
George H. Ryan, Governor
(3226110—7200—4-02)