1954 Map of Alton

About this map

Educational institutions and river commerce define the landscape of Alton in the mid-1950s. The city is a significant regional hub, anchored by Monticello College, Shurtleff College, and the Western Military Academy. The industrial and transportation corridor along the Mississippi River features the Lewis and Clark Toll Bridge and extensive rail infrastructure for the Gulf Mobile and Ohio and the Chicago Burlington and Quincy railroads. To the north, the settlement of Godfrey sits amidst a network of rural schools and churches such as Mason Sch and Bethany Ch. Local history is deeply rooted here, evidenced by the Confederate Cem and numerous family and community landmarks like Vahalla Cem and Godfrey Pond. The river landscape includes Dresser Island and Ellis Island, marking the complex waterways south of the city center.