Ter-Rif Originals : HOMETOWN IMAGES - ALTON, ILLINOIS

Hometown Images - Alton, Illinois These images include the history, legends and scenery of the Alton, Illinois area. From the Piasa Bird to Robert Wadlow to the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway.

ELIJAH P. LOVEJOY Martyr for freedom of the press, abolitionist Elijah Parish Lovejoy was killed by a mob in 1837 for his anti-slavery views. His printing press was destroyed and thrown in the river.	ROBERT P. WADLOW Robert Pershing Wadlow is the tallest man on record, reaching 8' 11.1" at the time of his death. He was born and raised in Alton, Illinois.	LINCOLN - DOUGLAS DEBATE The seventh and final debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas was held in Alton, Illinois on October 15, 1858.
THE PIASA BIRD In their exploration of the Mississippi River, Marquette and Joliet recorded the image of a great winged beast with a scale-covered body and a forked tail. It was the Piasa Bird.	FESTIVALS & EVENTS There are several festivals and events during the course of a year. One event is Heritage Days where the celebration covers the period from 1700 to 1830.	MEETING OF THE GREAT RIVERS NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY The Great River Road in the Alton area is part of the Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway. This 50 mile byway includes the confluences of the Illinois and Missouri Rivers with the Mississippi Riv
THE CLARK BRIDGE - ALTON, ILLINOIS This beautiful cable stay bridge has won many design awards, but is most amazing because much of the construction was done during the height of the Mississippi River's "500 Year Flood" in 1993.