Madison County, Illinois (IL), United States, North America
Latitude
38°53'N
Longitude
90°09'W
Alton
(AHL-tuhn), city (1990 pop. 32,905), Madison co., SW
Ill., suburb of St. Louis, on the Mississippi R.
5 mi/8 km above its confluence with the
Missouri and 10 mi/16 km below its confluence
with the Illinois; 38°53'N 90°09'W. Alton is a shipping and
industrial center. Oil refineries to SE. Mfg. includes food prods.,
lime, crushed stone, lumber, crystal, paperboard, and steel. Agr. in
outlying areas to N and E and across river in Mo. Of interest are a
monument to abolitionist Elijah Lovejoy, who was killed by a mob in
Alton (1837); a tablet marking the site of the last Lincoln-Douglas
debate (1858); and a cemetery where many captured Confederate soldiers
are buried. Extensive damage to downtown area in catastrophic flood
(1993). New Lock and Dam No. 26R built in early 1990s
2 mi/3.2 km downstream from original downtown
site. New suspension bridge (Clark Bridge) opened 1994. New Lewis
Bridge spans Missouri R. 6 mi/9.7 km SW. Inc.
1837.
Capital city or county seat is shown by the symbol
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