Its population is down to a measly 1,700 - half of what it was 20 years ago and 9x smaller than it was 80 years ago. (Byron Hetzler/The Southern Illinoisan via AP) more >. Cairo (/ k r o / KAIR-oh) is the southernmost city in Illinois and the county seat of Alexander County.. Its continuing existence is maintained through corruption of public officials and the use of intimidation, threats or force to protect its operations. Commercial Avenue in Cairo is all but empty today. Nov. 11, 1909. It conjures up images of riches and finery, an empire of the ancient world. Built to support a population of over 15,000 people, Cairo is a semi ghost town today, by the definition any historical town or site that leaves evidence of its previous glory. Also completed in 1872, was Magnolia Manor, which was built by Cairo businessman, Charles A. Galigher, beginning in 1869. Famous Building at 702-704 Commercial Avenue served as a general-purpose commercial building, housing a mercantile establishment on the ground floor and offices above. Amazingly, the two buildings at the far right in the 1906 image to the left, still stood in 2010. Cairo, Illinois was once a bustling transportation hub situated at the junction of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. Violent crimes in Cairo are 31% lower than the national average. Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, updated February 2020. Cairo, Illinois limped on into the 1980s and remarkably still holds on to this day in name, at least. Weak domestic revenue mobilization and a large proportion of economic activity occurring in the informal sector are also constraints to the transformation of the Egyptian economy. However, Egyptian authorities often fight crime and terrorism in a heavy-handed manner that lacks strategic cohesion and accountability and are in violation of human-rights norms. The building was designed by Alfred Mullett, who also designed the San Francisco Mint, the US Treasury Building, and old State Department building in Washington, D.C. The resilience score is represented by the panel height, which can be identified by the side of the panel. Being surrounded by water already gives this town an eerie and isolated feel. General Ulyssess S. Grant used Cairo, Illinois as a strategic advantage against the Confederates because of its location. Fifteen years after that, John G. Comegys of Baltimore bought 1,800 acres there and named it Cairo in honor the historic city of the same name on the Nile Delta in Egypt. This reputation, which would get worse before it was over, still lasts to this day, even though Cairos meanness is long past and its citizens work together to do what they can to save their dying town. With fewer jobs, less commerce, and huge infrastructure issues, the town couldn't maintain residents the way they once did. Not the way to invite tourists into town. Since then, the number of cases of human smuggling from Egypt has decreased and many irregular migrants may now use other countries in the region, such as Libya, as their platform for reaching Europe. By 1969, a new vigilante group called the White Hats had formed. Nitti commits suicide in 1943 after he is indicted for labor racketeering, and Tony "Big Tuna" Accardo steps in as one of organized crime's bosses. By the 1950s, the Illinois Senate began investigating a$20 million bootlegging operation that was sending large amounts of bootlegged liquor into nearby dry states. On the right side of the street, these buildings once held the W.T. Cairo, Illinois is an abandoned town that sits at the tri-state with Kentucky and Missouri. By 1856, Cairo was connected by rail to Galena in northwest Illinois, and levees had been constructed around the town for transportation. The citys future looked promising as work on the Central Illinois Railroad brought a great many people to the vicinity of Cairo. When the Civil War was over, Camp Defiance and most of the military buildings were dismantled. The settlement was widely advertised in England, where the bonds of the Cairo City and Canal Company found eager purchasers through the London firm of John Wright & Company. By the end of the war, more than 3,000 escaped African-Americans had settled in Cairo. In 1860, Cairo became the county seat of Alexander County. There have been reports of poachers taking advantage of the relative lack of law enforcement in desert areas of the Sinai to hunt protected animals such as the ibex, wild donkeys, oryx and Dorcas gazelles. Later, in 1880, the business was purchased by the Halliday Brothers, who vastly improved it and renamed it the Halliday Hotel. In the end, Cairo would become the city that died from racism. The fortified city quickly gained the attention of the entire country, drawing many reporters to observe the military build-up and spurring The New York Times to refer to Cairo as the Gibraltar of the West.. However, the black protestors continued to protest. Moreover, despite economic advances in the country, Egypt has seen a rise in the proportion of the population living below the poverty line. Although Egypt is not a major exporter of gold, the country does host a criminal market for gold. The 2017 Cairo crime rate fell by 70% compared to 2016. White Union troops stationed at Fort Defiance swelled to 12,000. Crime prevention strategies in Egypt are generally poorly resourced, led or implemented. Daniel Rennie is a freelance writer residing in Melbourne, Australia. They beheaded him and stuck his head on a pole placed in the ground. Until 1889, there was no railroad bridge crossing either the Ohio or the Mississippi River at or near Cairo. Though the passenger depot originally built by the Illinois Central Railroad still stands, the trains no longer stop for passengers. For more than a decade, the town languished, but, in 1853, the company began to sell lots in anticipation of the railroad arriving in the area. The mob remained in a frenzy and order was restored only after Governor Charles Deneen ordered eleven companies of the National Guard to proceed to Cairo. Egypts prison system is generally believed to be overcrowded and to suffer poor sanitary conditions. Almost all public and private offices employed only whites. Salzners body was left in the street and claimed by his father the next day. The Illinois General Assembly soon ordered the White Hats to disband and called for the enforcement of civil rights laws and racial integration of city and county departments. On July 19, 1950, $20,000 worth of gambling equipment was confiscated from simultaneous raids on six night clubs and taverns in or near Cairo. Although America is dotted with former boom towns made irrelevant over time, the history of Cairo (pronounced CARE-o) is unusual. Camp Defiance was first called Fort Prentiss, after the Union officer Benjamin Mayberry Prentiss, who had served honorably in the Mexican-American War. However, a Federal Courthouse, which also included a post office opened in 1942. The Civil War dramatically changed the citys social, cultural and demographic landscape with the arrival of thousands of runaway slaves, which the government referred to as contrabands. Additionally, in 1862, the Union Army deposited large numbers of African-Americans in Cairo until government officials could decide their fate. One of the five bedrooms in historic Magnolia Manor is seen in Cairo, Ill., on July 30, 2020. The violence then continued and another prisoner was ripped from his cell, dragged to the town center, lynched, and shot. In the depths of the Great Depression, shuttering businesses were forcing residents to leave Cairo for good. They run for about five or six blocks and were likely used to hide people. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Generals Ulysses S. Grant and John A. McLernand standing on the steps in the center, of Cairos post office in 1861. For decades it would be known as the best hotel in the city. In 1890, Cairos population had reached some 6,300 people and not only was a popular river town but, also boasted seven railroad lines branching through Cairo. In response, the crowd jeered: We dont want to hear him; string him up; kill him; burn him. James was hanged from an arch at 8:00 pm. Today, however, there is little evidence of that riverside boom town. Cairos real war would not begin for another century. The town entered the 1970s with less than half of the population it had in the 1920s. The community continues to fight for its existence and hopefully, these efforts will work as the clock continues to tick on Cairo, that without revitalization, is destined to become a true ghost town.. Unfortunately, it is abandoned, overgrown, and completely run down. There are multiple prominent criminal networks with a presence in Egypt. However, the old problem of racism would ultimately be the towns demise. At the far end of the left side of the street, the Rhodes-Burford Furniture Store sign was still in place. It was difficult to hear what he said, but he wound up by saying he was prepared to die. Read on to learn more about the true story behind this Cairo, Illinois ghost town. Organized crime is a continuing criminal enterprise that rationally works to profit from illicit activities that are often in great public demand. Despite the post-war population exodus, Cairos location and natural resources continued to attract breweries, mills, plants, and manufacturing businesses. The city facilities were completely segregated, including public housing, local parks, and seating in the courthouse. An elegant courthouse was built in 1865 that continued to stand until the 1960s when it was torn down and replaced with a new one. Many years later, the site of Camp Defiance would become Fort Defiance Park, an Illinois State Park. Smith, Aaron Lake; Trying to Revitalize a Dying Small Town, 2010, Time It is located at 1400 Washington Avenue. The United Front boycotted white-owned businesses but the white residents refused to give in and one by one, business began to close. Most African Americans left these camps to become sharecroppers in the south as no one would give them work in the north. These Creepy Images Of An Abandoned Illinois Mental Hospital Will Give You Goosebumps, This Fascinating Illinois Army Depot Has Been Abandoned And Reclaimed By Nature For Decades Now, Once Abandoned And Left To Decay, The Edgewater Medical Center In Illinois Has Been Restored To Its Former Glory, 10 Abandoned Places In Illinois You Must See Before They Wither Away, One Of The Most Haunted Cemeteries In The World Is Right Here In Illinois, The Amazing Tunnel Hill Rail Trail In Illinois Takes You Through An Abandoned Train Tunnel, The Creepiest Hike In Illinois Takes You Through The Ruins Of An Abandoned Cemetery, Discover The True History Of Nauvoo, The Town In Illinois That Used To Be A Swamp, 11 abandoned places in Illinois before they wither away. Tramadol tends to be smuggled into Egypt from Libya or via maritime routes. Cairo, Illinois is an abandoned town that sits at the tri-state with Kentucky and Missouri. On our first visit in 2010, we passed under an arch depicting Historic Downtown Cairo to take a peek at this city that has been standing on the river for more than 150 years. The name, however, stuck. One hundred years ago today, Will James was lynched as a murderer in Cairo, Illinois. People in the town were upset because they wanted a speedy trial, and it was being delayed. In the pre-World War II era, the prostitution population was estimated near 1,000. Marshall would become the first African American justice on the United States Supreme Court in 1967, and served on the court until 1991. In other parts of the city, the large brick hospital was overgrown with vegetation, churches were boarded up, and restored mansions sat next to abandoned and crumbling large homes. But, lucky for Cairo, the water rose swiftly to within four inches of the bulwark, wavered several hours and began to slowly recede. The most recent demolishment includes theElmwood and McBride housing projects that were in were in poor condition, that were razed in 2019. EGYPT Region: Africa National Central Bureau: Cairo Member since: 7 September 1923 Home Who we are Member countries Africa EGYPT Each of our member countries hosts an INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB). Let My People Go recounts the struggle through pictures taken by Preston Ewing Jr., who was president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's (NAACP) Cairo chapter at the time.The book, published by Southern Illinois University Press, was released recently. More troops were stationed nearby and by June 1861, 12,000 Union soldiers were in and around Cairo. Kress & Co. The Norteos gang was formed in Northern California, and was specifically created to counter the growing influence of Surenos, a gang which had ties to the Mexican Mafia. How did it all happen? With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeths articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals. Hope for Cairos resurgence is long gone. 1929. Thank you! Level of crime. But, the troops who were stationed in Cairo did not like the location. Preston Ewing Jr., Cairos unofficial historian, former president of the local NAACP chapter, city treasurer, and participant in the Civil Rights Movement in Cairo, described the town as poor, black and ugly. Further, not having unrealistic expectations, he said, Our goal should be to stabilize Cairo, not talk about growth. When the war was over, the city became a staging area for many of the freed slaves arriving from the South. Its only later, when I return home to do the research, that I discover that Cairo died because of racism. To counteract the White Hats, the black community formed an organization called the United Front of Cairo in 1969. Your IP: But, he left behind a contribution in his choice of the name Cairo, and as a result, Egypt became the popular nickname for southern Illinois. But the name was cursed. You dont want to sleep on this unique experience. ByPhoto by Kathy Alexander. He was also a personal friend of General Ulysses S. Grant and supplied the Union Army with flour and hardtack during the war. During the Civil War, a number of businesses were established for the soldiers and citizens including stables, a hospital, and a wheelwright shop. The Egyptian black market is reportedly a destination for imported exotic animals including apes, felines and crocodiles originating in countries such as Libya, Nigeria and Cameroon.Moreover, bird poaching is a relatively widespread issue. However, hundreds of men continued to search the riverfront, breaking into freight cars in the hope of finding Alexander. During this time of growth, most of the African-Americans worked as unskilled laborers, but, were not afraid to speak out. After the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad, fugitives were shipped north on the river before being transferred to railroad lines headed toward Chicago. The Confederacy also realized its strategic importance. 39.34. Just to the west, on Commercial Avenue, sat the firms of Koehlers Gunshop, a drug store, the citys post office, the popular Athenaeum Theater, a blacksmith and a harness shop. Still, the establishments refused to hire them, and chose instead, to just close up shop or go out of business, rather than succumb to the demands of the black population. Cairo, Illinois at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Closer security cooperation is needed between countries to stem cigarette trafficking into Libya and Tunisia. The old Illinois Central Railroad storage bins near the Ohio River were used as hiding places for slaves traveling the Underground Railroad through Cairo. The problem was so severe that one of Cairos mayors claimed it was the most serious obstacle preventing prosperity for the town. A federal court would later rule the mayors proclamation unconstitutional. Wikimedia CommonsCairos historic downtown boarded-up and deserted. In 1905, a new railroad bridge was built which crossed the Mississippi River, except this one stopped in a town just north of Cairo. Cairo, Ill., has a population of fewer than 3,000 people. In the years following this visit, the Galighers and later owners continued to welcome guests in the big mansion among the magnolias. The port quickly became a strategically important supply base and training center for the Union army. NewsBreak provides latest and breaking local news and reports on Cairo, IL crime and public safety, and updates from police and fire departments, so you stay informed, prepared, and safe . He was then taken to the most prominent square at 8th and Commercial Street to be hanged before thousands of cheering spectators. The first decade of Cairos 20th-century history was also marred by an extremely violent episode which occurred on November 11, 1909. 62.85. Norteo. Birds traded illegally are primarily songbirds such as finches, pipits and larks, which are either sold in local markets (often used for cooking) or trafficked abroad. The low flat land was extremely muddy and the town was prone to flooding, despite the levees. Tramadol also transits onward through North Africa and into West African consumer markets, particularly Nigeria. This was to no avail. The peninsula where Cairo now stands was first visited by Father Louis Hennepin, a Frenchexplorerand missionary priest in March 1660. The rope broke and the man was riddled with bullets. In 1910, the historic Gem Theatre opened its doors to much acclaim. Shipping along the Ohio River in Cairo, Illinois in 1917. Click to reveal Unfortunately, a fire completely gutted the theatre in 1934, but it was rebuilt two years later including a new, elegant marquee. Cairo Crime Data Crime Index 51 (100 is safest) Safer than 51% of U.S. Cities Cairo Annual Crimes Violent Crime Violent Crime Comparison (per 1,000 residents) 20 15 10 5 0 1.81 3.95 National Median: 4 Cairo Illinois Chances of Becoming a Victim of a Violent Crime 1 in 553 in Cairo 1 in 253 in Illinois Cairo VIOLENT CRIMES Population: 1,659 The sheriff of the town was hiding James in the woods about 30 miles north of Cairo for his protection. However, human smuggling from the Egyptian Mediterranean peaked in 2016 and 2017. Black residents did not believe that the soldier had committed suicide in his jail cell after being arrested on disorderly conduct charges, as the coroner had reported. General Ulysses S. Grant used it as a naval base and supply camp. On our visit in 2010, we could find not a single open grocery store. In 1861, General Ulysses S. Grant established Fort Defiance at the tip of Cairos peninsula, which operated as an integral naval base and supply depot for his Western Army. At the time this story was written (2010), the road into the park is impassable due to flood damage. By 1861, when the Civil War began, Cairos population had increased to 2,200, of which, only 55 people were African-American. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 11.4 miles away from the Cairo city center killed one person and injured 32 people and caused between $5,000,000 and $50,000,000 in damages.. On 5/6/2003, a category F4 tornado 19.6 miles . Many citizens began to consider their community as an economic failure and even newspaper editorialists commented on how businessmen preferred to rent homes as opposed to buying them: They preferred to rent because they regard their stay in Cairo as temporary.. The state responded by telling the banks they must hire blacks or it would remove its money from them. Unfortunately, though the vintage theatre still stands, it has been long-vacant and has fallen into serious disrepair.
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