Near Cairo in Alexander County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Meeting of the Rivers

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 17, 2009

1. The Meeting of the Rivers Marker

Inscription. Long known to the Indian who used the two great rivers as his highways for trade and war, this junction of the Ohio and the Mississippi was first sighted by Europeans when Marquette and Joliet glided past in 1673. Ten years later La Salle explored the area and established France's claim to the Mississippi Valley. From that time on this confluence was recognized as a strategic site for settlement and fortification. George Rogers Clark, following the capture of Kaskaskia in 1778, stationed armed boats at this junction to guard against attacks on the Illinois country by the British or Spanish. Here in 1811 the "New Orleans", first steamboat to navigate western waters, lay at anchor during three nights of the New Madrid earthquake. In April of 1861 Fort Defiance was established at the confluence to thwart Confederate invasion and blockade the trade of the South. From here was launched General Grant's great flanking movement of the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers, which began at Fort Henry and ended at Vicksburg, giving the Union complete control of the Mississippi.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in

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these topic lists: Disasters • Exploration • War, US Civil • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1861.

Location. 36° 59.04′ N, 89° 8.391′ W. Marker is near Cairo, Illinois, in Alexander County. It is on Fort Defiance Road, on the right when traveling south. Located in Fort Defiance Park, at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cairo IL 62914, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Illinois — Little Egypt.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "Proceeding On" (a few steps from this marker); The Mississippi River Bridge

Photographed by Shane Oliver, May 1, 2021

2. The Meeting of the Rivers Marker

(approx. 0.6 miles away); Cairo, Illinois (approx. 0.6 miles away); Critical River Confluence (approx. 0.6 miles away); Cairo Connection (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lewis & Clark (approx. 0.6 miles away); Historical Survey Marker (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lewis and Clark in Illinois (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cairo.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 17, 2009

3. The Meeting of the Rivers Marker

The marker is mounted on one of the piers for the concrete observation platform.

Observation Platform image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 17, 2009

4. Observation Platform

Three States and Two Rivers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 17, 2009

5. Three States and Two Rivers

Looking southeast from the platform. The Ohio River (left) joins the Mississippi River (right and into the center distance) at this point. In the foreground is the southernmost tip of Illinois. Kentucky stands on the left and center, across the Ohio. Missouri is on the right, across the Mississippi River. The Mississippi passes through an "S" bend around Cairo and Bird Point, Missouri at the confluence.

View of the Rivers Confluence from the Observation Platform image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shane Oliver, May 1, 2021

6. View of the Rivers Confluence from the Observation Platform

View of the Observation Platform at Fort Defiance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shane Oliver, May 22, 2021

7. View of the Observation Platform at Fort Defiance

Credits. This page was last revised on June 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,371 times since then and 108 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 26, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on June 2, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 26, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6, 7. submitted on June 2, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia.