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| − | '''Alton''', [[Illinois]], is a river town in Southern Illinois, about 30 miles north of [[St. Louis]]. Alton was the birthplace of [[Miles Davis]], one of the greatest [[jazz]] musicians ever. Robert Wadlow, the tallest man in recorded history, was raised and died in Alton. | + | '''Alton''', [[Illinois]], is a river town in Southern Illinois, about 30 miles north of [[St. Louis]]. Alton was the birthplace of [[Miles Davis]], one of the greatest [[jazz]] musicians ever. Robert Wadlow, the tallest man in recorded history, was raised and died in Alton. It was founded by attorney Colonel Rufus Easton in 1817, and named after one of his sons. |
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| | Once overwhelmingly [[Democratic]], Alton and neighboring communities have slowly shifted to be more supportive of [[Trump]] [[Republicans]]. Alton features a private high school, Marquette, which is a magnet for families on both sides of the adjacent [[Mississippi River]]. | | Once overwhelmingly [[Democratic]], Alton and neighboring communities have slowly shifted to be more supportive of [[Trump]] [[Republicans]]. Alton features a private high school, Marquette, which is a magnet for families on both sides of the adjacent [[Mississippi River]]. |
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| | In the first part of the 1800s, Alton was more significant than nearby St. Louis, and in 1858 was the location for one of the famous debates between senatorial candidates [[Abraham Lincoln]] and [[Stephen Douglas]]. At the turn of the century into 1901, Alton supported four rival newspapers. | | In the first part of the 1800s, Alton was more significant than nearby St. Louis, and in 1858 was the location for one of the famous debates between senatorial candidates [[Abraham Lincoln]] and [[Stephen Douglas]]. At the turn of the century into 1901, Alton supported four rival newspapers. |
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| − | The murder in Alton of [[Elijah Lovejoy]] in 1837 for publishing an anti-[[slavery]] newspaper caused outrage in the northern states and helped eventually precipitate the [[American Civil War]]. Residents of [[Missouri]] crossed the river to execute their crime. | + | The murder in Alton of [[Elijah Lovejoy]] in 1837 for publishing an anti-[[slavery]] newspaper caused outrage in the northern states and helped eventually precipitate the [[American Civil War]]. A pro-[[slavery]] from [[Missouri]] crossed the river to commit the murder, and throw his printing press in the river. It was recovered and put on display decades later by the ''[[Alton Telegraph]]''. |
| | [[category:cities]] | | [[category:cities]] |