Alton in Madison County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Discover History All Around Alton
Looking for Lincoln
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 24, 2019
1. Discover History All Around Alton Marker
Rich in heritage and haunted by history, many threads of our nation's past can be discovered here in Alton.
Located at the confluence of the Mississippi, Illinois, and Missouri rivers, Alton is one of America's great river towns. It was the biggest city in southern Illinois in its heyday. Its steep-sloped streets, filled with silos, railroad tracks, brick commercial buildings, and stately Victorian mansions, bustled with people and energy.
Alton played a pivotal role in the Civil War. Here, abolitionist editor Elijah P. Lovejoy became the first casualty of the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas debated the issue of slavery. Confederate prisoners were held, died, and buried and Lyman Trumbull co-authored the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery.
"We cannot
escape history
— Abraham Lincoln
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Architecture • Notable Places
this page online
Location. 38° 53.391′ N, 90° 11.139′ W. Marker is in Alton, Illinois, in Madison County. Marker is on Market Street south of West Broadway, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Market Street, Alton IL 62002, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lincoln-Douglas Debates! (here, next to this marker); Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Alton (within shouting distance of this marker); Ryder Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Paul's Episcopal Church (about 500 feet away); Miles Davis (about 600 feet away); Setting the Stage for the Great Debate (approx. 0.2 miles away); Alton & Sangamon Railroad (approx. 0.2 miles away); After The War (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alton.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 24, 2019
2. Discover History All Around Alton Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 237 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
