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

The Cairo Custom House

Cairo African American Heritage Trail

Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 30, 2026

1. The Cairo Custom House Marker

Inscription.
This building (built 1869-1872), listed in the National Register of Historic Places, served as a customs house, post office, and courthouse. In 1873, Cairo's John Bird became the first elected African American judge in Illinois, and later worked here as a federal employee. In 1967, it served as the Cairo Municipal Police Station and Jail, where Black resident Robert Hunt suspiciously died.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 37° 0.17′ N, 89° 10.333′ W. Marker is in Cairo, Illinois, in Alexander County. It is at the intersection of Washington Avenue (U.S. 51) and 15th Street, on the right when traveling north on Washington Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1400 Washington Ave, 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

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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: Seaman (a few steps from this marker); York the Slave (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Cairo Custom House (a few steps from this marker); Duncan Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary J. Safford (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Cairo Public Library (about 500 feet away); President Clinton Visits Cairo, Illinois (about 500 feet away); Ward Chapel AME Church (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cairo.

Regarding The Cairo Custom House. Private Robert Hunt was a 19-year-old Black soldier whose suspicious jail cell death on July 17, 1967, in Cairo, Illinois, sparked severe race riots, prolonged civil rights protests, and the permanent economic decline of the city.

Also see . . .
1. The Cairo Historical Preservation Project. Link is the QR code on

Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 30, 2026

2. The Cairo Custom House Marker

the marker. (Submitted on August 4, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

2. Cairo Custom House Museum (National Park Service). The museum is part of the Lewis & Clark National Heritage Trail. (Submitted on August 4, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

3. Old Custom House on Wikipedia. It is now a museum. However, as of mid-2026, the museum has been closed for some time due to maintenance repairs. Tours are usually booked from the Cairo Public Library in advance. (Submitted on August 4, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 4, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.