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 Mississsippi at this point. The first levees here wer 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 Cemetery 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