Cairo!

Cairo, Illinois is a weird place... Today, this city- pivotal in American History- resembles a ghost town. There was so much beauty in the sadness of this town... Its people all know the town is dying, but seem to hold on to their rose tinted dreams of yesteryear. And it is a desitnation that any wayward wanderer should visit...

Here is the History (thanks Wikipedia)Cairo was founded by the Cairo City & Canal Company in 1837, and incorporated as a city in 1858. For 15 years the town grew slowly, but the sale of lots 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 its own Customs House. It has since been converted into a museum.

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 here. The town has numerous fine examples of prosperous 19th and early 20th 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, like many other river cities, the population of Cairo has declined from a 1914 high of 16,000 to 3,632 in 2000. There is a movement to stop this gradual abandonment, restore Cairo's architectural landmarks, develop tourism focusing on its history, and bring new opportunities back to the community.

Cairo, a former slave trading hub, was the scene of the circus-like lynching of the black resident Will James in front of a crowd of hundreds in 1909. 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 -- meaning all of them. Its economy crippled, Cairo has emerged slowly from the contention.

The city today faces many significant socio-economic challenges for the remaining population, including poverty, issues in education, employment and rebuilding its tax base. Historical populations

CensusPop.

1850242

18602,188

190012,566

192015,203

194014,407

19609,348

19805,931

20003,632

At one time Cairo was the largest city in the region but the population has been steadily declining. As of the census of 2000, there were 3,632 people, 1,561 households, and 900 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 35.93% White, 61.70% Black.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.

Check out this link to learn about Cairo... Strangest City on the River
Here is an NPR story on the town... Lessons from Cairo, Illinois