Alexander, Madison , Pulaski

  St. Clair 

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ILLINOIS AFRIGENEAS

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HISTORY OF ALEXANDER COUNTY, ILLINOIS

Some facts about the history of this county.

First county organized in Illinois. March 14, 1819
 
Named for Dr. William M. Alexander, State Representative
 
Separated from Union County in 1819
 
Sometimes referred to as the foot hills of the Ozarks.
 
Timber industry flourished in earlier years.
 
Primary farming county.  Crops of cotton, flax, corn, wheat were grown.
 
Other crops were sorghum, milo, soy beans and sunflowers.
 
Underground Railroad In Cairo, Illinois 
 

COMMUNITIES
 
ALEXANDRIA - No longer in existence.
 
BEECH RIDGE - No longer in existence
 
CACHE - Approximately a half dozen families still live here.
 
CAIRO -  Bordered by  Ohio River  which joins the  Mississippi at this point.   The first levees here were built in 1843.  Today the  city is protected by the highest levee system in the United States.
 
During the Civil War Camp Prentiss was set up in Cairo.  It was named for Colonel D. M. Prentiss.  It was later called Fort Defiance after Grant's arrival in 1861.
 
DELTA -
 
HODGES PARK - Named for Alexander Hodges (1822 - 1877) County Judge.
COUNTY SEATS
 
AMERICA        Unknown at this time
 
UNITY          April 16, 1833
 
Thebes         February 4, 1845
 
Cairo          November 8, 1859 - Present
 
CEMETERIES
 
Baumgarde Cemeterty                   Millier City           dates back to 1840
Schindler Cemetery                            
 
 
RAILROADS
 
Big 4 (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis Railway)
Cairo and Fulton
Cairo Terminal Line
Cairo, Vincennes and Chicago
Central and Eastern Illinois
Cairo and Thebes
Cotton Belt
Illinois Central
Iron Mountain
Missouri Pacific
Mobile and Ohio
New York Central
St. Louis and Cairo