Historical Markers and War Memorials in Alexander County
Cairo is the county seat for Alexander County
Adjacent to Alexander County, Illinois
Pulaski County(13) ► Union County(19) ► Ballard County, Kentucky(14) ► Cape Girardeau County, Missouri(88) ► Mississippi County, Missouri(7) ► Scott County, Missouri(6) ►
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In November, 1803, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and their growing contingent of "Corps of Discovery" men, spent five days here teaching each other celestial navigation and surveying skills. Using a sextant, octant, artificial horizon, and . . . — — Map (db m19393) HM
On May 22, 1863, the United States War Department issued General Order No. 143 to establish the proclamation which developed the Bureau of Colored Troops. African American regiments as United States Colored Troops or USCT.
This division of . . . — — Map (db m216318) HM WM
Early removal plans called for transporting Cherokee by boat to Indian Territory. The first three detachments passed by here on steamships in the summer of 1838 as they descended the Ohio River. With low water levels and impassable shoals preventing . . . — — Map (db m161480) HM
Pierre Francois Xavier de Charlevoix, a French Jesuit, reported as early as 1721 that the land at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers would be a strategic location for settlement and fortification. Nearly a century later, in 1818, the . . . — — Map (db m144870) HM
Home to thousands of men, women, and children, the Cherokee Nation at the time of removal spread across parts of today's Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama. The 1830 Indian Removal Act required that the Cherokee and other southeastern . . . — — Map (db m161483) HM
William B. Duncan, Chairman of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, presented this Rodman smooth bore cannon to the city of Cairo as a gift, May 27, 1905. The gun saw action for both sides of the Civil War at Fort Morgan, Mobile, Alabama, in 1861, to protect . . . — — Map (db m19423) HM
Great River Road
The Great River Road in Illinois follows the Mississippi River through the heart of the nation. Discover exciting history, thriving river cultures, beautiful natural areas, abundant wildlife, and bountiful agriculture as you . . . — — Map (db m174555) HM
The beginning of the Third Principal Meridian is located in the Ohio River 1,735 feet directly north of this point. In November, 1803, this was the mouth of the Ohio River. At this location, the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery encamped for six . . . — — Map (db m19415) HM
Charting the Confluence On November 14, 1803, at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, the Corps of Discovery stayed for six days, one of the longest stops made by the expedition. Here, they saw the Mississippi for the first time, . . . — — Map (db m19413) HM
On November 14, 1803, Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and their party landed at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, the site of the present day Cairo. They spent nearly a week here, learning how to determine longitude and latitude, a . . . — — Map (db m19419) HM
First woman in the West to organize camp and hospital relief. Under Gen. Grant's personal command Mary Safford tended the wounded at the battles from Belmont to Shiloh 1861-1862, returning with the casualties by boat to Cairo. Being injured in . . . — — Map (db m161200) HM
President William Jefferson Clinton, 42nd President of The United States accompanied by his wife, Hillary and Vice President and Mrs. Albert Gore, Jr. spoke to a crowd of over 6000 in Cairo, Illinois at The Cairo Public Library on Friday, August 30, . . . — — Map (db m161195) HM
This 1865 mansion, originally built by William Halliday, was purchased by the City of Cairo Nov. 23, 1999, to be preserved and open to the public; it has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. — — Map (db m188714) HM
The Newfoundland dog who accompanied the Corps of Discovery to the Pacific and back bought by Meriwether Lewis for $20 in Pittsburgh in 1803. He was "praised much for his docility and qualifications generally for my journey". A quote by Lewis, "He . . . — — Map (db m161201) HM
The "Big Subway Gate" was constructed in 1914 by Stupp Brothers of St. Louis, MO. The gate was built on the plan of the Gatum Dam at the Panama Canal and weighs 80 tons, is 60 ft. wide, 24 ft. high and 5 ft. thick. The counter weights used to raise . . . — — Map (db m195776) HM
The beginning of the Third Principal Meridian is located in the Ohio River 1,810 feet directly north of this point. In November, 1803, this was the mouth of the Ohio River. At this location, the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery encamped for six . . . — — Map (db m19420) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m19390) HM
Purchased in the public interest March 24, 1942 by the Cairo Bridge Commission
The bridge was operated and maintained by the commission until May 22, 1954 when, as a result of the untiring efforts of many public spirited citizens, the . . . — — Map (db m174560) HM
Completed November 11, 1933 Freed of Tolls November 11, 1948 by The Cairo Bridge Commission The Ohio River Bridge was conceived and built in the public interest by the Cairo Bridge Commission with the cooperation of the Federal Emergency . . . — — Map (db m19421) HM
York was the first known African American to cross the American continent. In the company of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery, from 1803-1806, he shared equally with them the rigors of the journey, but when the corps was honored, he received . . . — — Map (db m41063) HM
In 1673 Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette explored the Illinois country for France. By the 1763 Treaty ending the French and Indian War, this area passed to England. During the American Revolution, George Rogers Clark's men captured it for . . . — — Map (db m161171) HM
This memorial recognizes the 109 year legacy of Rev. Nathan London, born a slave in 1830. Known then as "Nate Lundy", he distinguished himself, attaining the rank of sergeant and assistant paymaster in the Union army during the Civil War. His . . . — — Map (db m40405) HM
The church, founded by Rev. Nathan London in 1882, was located near this section of road. The cornerstone, unearthed a few yards west, was donated by his family to the Cairo custom house. — — Map (db m40409) HM
In 1879, Nathan London, of St. Louis, bought this 20 acre land tract. His son, Filmore, was deeded the land. Now the Jos. Blakemore family owns it. Ruth B. Chambers, only living grandchild, was honored here, Labor Day, 1999. — — Map (db m40411) HM
In November of 1803, Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and their party camped on the slate rock bank of the Mississippi River near here. They found moving the boats up river very difficult and traveled only about one mile per hour against the strong . . . — — Map (db m161185) HM
In 1817 the Zebulon M. Pike reached St. Louis, the northern-most steamboat port on the Mississippi River. The western steamboat of later years was a credit to the frontier American mechanic who drew upon experience to build a large craft (eventually . . . — — Map (db m161177) HM
Pierre Francois Xavier de Charlevoix, a French Jesuit, reported as early as 1721 that the land at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers would be a strategic location for settlement and fortification. Nearly a century later, in 1818, . . . — — Map (db m161727) HM
In 1914 James Paul Lucas, diamond trader, eccentric, and world traveler, settled at this mansion and kept his collection of curiosities. — — Map (db m210424) HM
Noted educator and minister. Founded York Collegiate Institute & numerous academies. Professor at Rutherford College. Grave 5mi. N. — — Map (db m156756) HM
A gem found only in N.C., named for W.E. Hidden, mineralogist of N.Y., who prospected
in this area about 1880. Mines were nearby. — — Map (db m156754) HM
In memory of those who gave their lives so that we might live
Korean
Brown, Clifford
Fox, J.D.
Matlock, Glenn J.
Wike, Carlie A.
Wike, James W.
Viet Nam
Auton, Bobby M.
Daniels, Lunas J.
Daniels, Robert
Deal, . . . — — Map (db m159548) WM
Alexander County Remembers
World War I
1917 - 1918
James A. Allen •
James Brookshire •
Archie Brown •
Charles Cook •
Otis R. Douglas •
Robert L. Eckard •
Tally Drum •
Roy Flowers •
Jessie Hollar •
Hackett Munday • . . . — — Map (db m159550) WM
The Tower
The Bell and cornerstone were remnants of the Alexander County Courthouse fire that occurred August 11, 1967. The repair of the broken bell was accomplished by Rowe B. Campbell, a local businessman. At a later date, both the Bell . . . — — Map (db m156816) WM
From 1861-65 the heroic sons and daughters of The Old South, under the greatest generals of all times, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, fought with gallantry unequaled in all the annals of history. Not for the preservation of slavery, but for . . . — — Map (db m156819) WM
At 2:00 o'clock p.m. the belch and roar of this Jones six-pounder ceased and out of the grove on Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, marched the bravest body of infantry that ever careered the fields of battle, to hurl itself against the Union batteries on . . . — — Map (db m156818) WM
Purchased circa 1850 at a total cost of $68.50, this bell called court into session and lent its voice to many other community events.
Before refrigeration, it announced that fresh meat was for sale and when a fire occurred, it sounded the . . . — — Map (db m156817) HM
