Labels
Posted by

Return to Alton, IL

 This was originally posted on a different blog I was using before I decided to bring back CC&G. We have now been talking about moving to Alton for about 2.5 years. This post includes our affiliate link to Bookshop.org. Using our link helps support the blog!

Two bronze statues stand outdoors on a concrete platform in Alton, Illinois. On the left, a statue depicts Stephen Douglas with arm raised and finger pointed upward, wearing a coat and vest with an open mouth as if speaking. The statue on the right shows Abraham Lincoln in a pensive pose with his right hand to his chin, wearing a similar coat and vest. Metal benches are behind each statue, separated by a black metal fence. Behind the statues, a white grain elevator is emblazoned with "Welcome to ALTON" and a large American flag. The sky is overcast.

We've been tossing around the idea of moving to Illinois for a while now. Missouri is just getting worse and worse, like it's trying to win the most hateful state in the union prize or something, and just across the river we have the Metro East. Whatever you may say about downstate Illinois, it is protected by Chicago and will probably be forever, and that's fine with me. We like our house a lot, and could live here many years, but if we wanted to get some things on our wish list - big front porch, bigger yard, fewer gunshots, etc - we may as well move to the suburbs that are in a sanctuary state. 

I've spent a lot of time on Google Maps, picking various towns and mapping to our parents, dance studio, Costco, all the important places. We visited a couple areas, but nothing really clicked. At some point, I mentioned Alton, where I spent a lot of my 20s and 30s, and Francis said something silly like, "I always figured Alton was your destiny." Hmm... Maybe it is? I always said I would live there if I didn't have to commute to work, and neither of us has had a commute for 10 years now.

Alton was truly love at first ghost hunt for me. I love the history, the historic preservation, the spooky weirdos it attracts, the fact that it's a small town but is so eclectic. It's about the size of Webster Groves, where I grew up, but so much more diverse, and with such a wide variety of businesses. Plus, I have wanted to live on the Great River Road since I first discovered it! Looking at water is one of the few things that gives my brain any peace. 

A street-level view of Alton, Illinois Broadway historic district displays a variety of architectural styles under a cloudy sky. Several parked cars line the road in front of the buildings. The buildings are constructed of brick, stone, and include outdoor dining and retail shops. A large apartment building, formerly the historic Enos Sanitorium, can be seen in the distance.

We drove up to Alton this weekend to see what is new, what has changed, and if we still feel like we vibe with it. I am happy to say, yes, if anything it has improved. There are great new businesses on Broadway like Brown Bag Bistro and Funky Planet Toys & Gifts.

If you went on ghost tours with me back in the day you might remember there was a little beef between that group and the Mineral Springs.  All that is water under the bridge, I'm guessing as people got over themselves. The Mineral Springs has changed ownership, and Troy Taylor himself now operates American Oddities Museum inside the historic hotel. We haven't yet had a chance to tour the museum, since our kid is not yet into the spooky, but I did get to visit the gift shop for a T-shirt and some American Oddities Ghost Hunters loose-leaf tea. (For real.) The photo below is from before Troy took over the Soul Asylum museum.

A daytime view of the entrance to a business called "The Soul Asylum." Outside the doorway stand signs advertising the store's wares, including history, oddities, mysticism, and haunted objects. Ornate, colorful hanging lanterns decorate the entrance. The building's style is somewhat antique, with textured tan walls and lattice metal on the windows. A gumball machine sits to the left. Umbrellas hang from the open ceiling.

We've been back to Alton several times since I originally posted this blog, always checking out what's new at Mineral Springs, and also visiting the Brown Bag Bistro a few times. Alton also have a fantastic Farmers Market with weekly themes, music, and demonstrations that we would probably join if we lived closer. There's a newish food truck park called Flock that has a space shuttle cafe, which is on our future blog list. They even have a great cat café called MeowTown! And I also have to give a shout out to our favorite Irish pub, Morrisons. Thank you to the blog reader who originally told us about that one!

An interactive exhibit simulates the experience of steering a barge. A visitor stands inside a mock-up of a barge wheelhouse, facing a bank of screens displaying a river landscape. On the left and right sides of the structure are information posters. One poster invites visitors to "Come Aboard! You can steer a barge," and features an image of the St. Louis Arch. The other poster is titled "What's all that stuff on the roof?" and includes a diagram of ship navigation equipment. A pelican statue stands on top of the exhibit.

We also cannot leave out Francis's favorite reason for visiting Alton: Playing Barge Simulator at the National Great Rivers Museum at the Melvin Price Lock & Dam. This is a great little museum with lots of special events, and you can sometimes tour the lock & dam as well.

There is so much more to show you in Alton! I still have a deep and abiding love of State Street, and I hope we manage to buy a house on Christian Hill some day! Make our dreams come true by supporting the podcast shop and Bookshop.org. 
Email Post
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts