Cairo, Illinois: Map

Categories: Cape Girardeau �?�?�?¢�?�??�?�?��?�??�?�?? Jackson metropolitan area > People from Cairo, Illinois > Cairo, Illinois > United States communities with African American majority populations > County seats in Illinois > Populated places established in 1837 > Illinois in the American Civil War > Populated places on the Mississippi River > Alexander County, Illinois > Cities in Illinois

Wikipedia article:

Map showing all locations mentioned on Wikipedia article:

Cairo ( ) is a city in Alexander County

, Illinois

in the United States

. The population was 3,632 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Alexander County

. The city's name is pronounced "Kay-ro".

Cairo is located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, and is the southernmost town in the state of Illinois

. The rivers converge at what is the southernmost point in Illinois at Fort Defiance State Park

, an American Civil War fort that was commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant, making Cairo the only city in Illinois completely surrounded by levees.

It is part of the Cape Girardeau

–Jackson

, MO

-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area. Several blocks in the town comprise the Cairo Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The Old Customhouse is also on the NRHP.

History

Abandoned Cairo Downtown.

Cairo was founded by the Cairo City & Canal Company in 1837, and incorporated as a city in 1858. For fifteen years, the town grew slowly, but the sale of lots (commencing in 1853) and the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad attracted settlers. By 1860, the population exceeded 2,000.

It was an important steamboat port in the 19th century, with so much river traffic that the government located customs officials there. The United States Customs House (called the Old Customhouse) was designed by Alfred B. Mullet, the Supervising Architect during Reconstruction. One of only seven of his Victorian structures remaining in the nation, the building has been converted into a museum. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

During the Civil War, Cairo was a strategically important supply base and training center for the Union army. For several months, both General Grant and Admiral Foote had headquarters in the town. The town has numerous examples of prosperous 19th and early 20th century architecture, including the Italianate Magnolia Manor and Second Empire Riverlore Mansion. Much of the city, even in some areas of decay, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

With the decline in river trade, as has been the case in many other cities on the Mississippi, Cairo has experienced a marked decline in its economy and population, from a 1907 high of 20,000 residents to 3,632 in 2000. There is a movement to stop abandonment of the city, restore Cairo's architectural landmarks, develop tourism focusing on its history and relationship to the river, and bring new opportunities back to the community.

Cairo abandonment

Sharing in the culture of the South, many Cairo residents supported racial segregation. In 1909, a mob of hundreds lynched black resident Will James. Racial discrimination remained part of the society. In 1969, Cairo was the site of an intense civil rights struggle to end segregation and create job opportunities. The threat of violence resulted in the National Guard being called in to restore order. The United Front civil rights organization led a decade-long boycott of white-owned businesses—which encompassed virtually all the businesses in the town. Its economy crippled by the boycott and the shift of traffic away from the river, Cairo has emerged slowly from the years of conflict.

The city today faces many significant socio-economic challenges for the remaining population, including poverty, issues in education, employment and rebuilding its tax base. A community clinic offers medical and dental care, and also several mental health services.

Cairo at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers

Cairo’s turbulent history is chronicled on a concept music CD called Greetings From Cairo, Illinois , released in 2005 by musician Stace England.

Geography

Cairo is located at . The elevation above sea level is 315 feet (96 m). The lowest point in the state of Illinois is located on the Mississippi River in Cairo.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.1 square miles (23.6 km²), including 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) of water (22.78% of the total area). Cairo is located at the confluence of the Mississippi River and Ohio River.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,632 people, 1,561 households, and 900 families residing in the city. The population density was 515.1 people per square mile (198.9/km²). There were 1,885 housing units at an average density of 103.2 per km² (267.3 per sq mi). The racial makeup of the city was 35.93% White, 61.70% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races; 0.74% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

There were 1,561 households out of which 30.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.3% were married couples living together, 25.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.3% were non-families. Of all households, 39.7% are made up of individuals and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 3.08.

The age distribution was 30.4% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 22.0% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there were 79.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,607, and the median income for a family was $28,242. Males had a median income of $28,798 versus $18,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,220. Of the population as a whole, 33.5% lives below the poverty line, as compared with 27.1% of families. Out of the total population, 47.0% of those under the age of 18 and 20.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Education

The city is served by Cairo Unified School District 1. Based on census estimates, the Cairo school district has the highest percentage in Illinois of children in poverty, 60.6%, which ranks fifteenth highest in the United States.

The district has two elementary schools, Bennett Elementary School and Emerson Elementary School. Middle and high school students attend Cairo Junior/Senior High School.

Transportation

Cairo's location on a spit of land that lies between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers made multiplexing US 51, 60 and 62 briefly through Illinois more practical than directly connecting Missouri

and Kentucky

. The result of Cairo's position as a critical highway junction is that Missouri and Kentucky are the only states to border each other with no direct highway connection between them.

Culture

Music

In 1916 Billy Murray had a #10 hit record with "When You Drop Off at Cairo, Illinois".
Other songs that refer to Cairo include "Road To Cairo" by cult American singer-songwriter David Ackles, later covered by Julie Driscoll Brian Auger (Trinity); and "Way Down in Cairo" by Stephen Foster, the great American songwriter of the 1800s.
Josh Ritter's "Monster Ballads" also refers to Cairo.

Literature

In literature, Cairo is referenced in the 19th century Mark Twain classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (and briefly in Life on the Mississippi)and in the 20th c. fantasy American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

Sports

Cairo had its own minor-league baseball team (variously known as the Egyptians, Champions and Giants) in the Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League from 1903-06, 1911-14 and 1922-24.