Horseshoe Lake

Thebes Courthouse

Alexander County , established in 1819,is at the southernmost tip of Illinois where the Ohio and Mississippi rivers come together. It has an area of 236 square miles and a 2000 population of 9,590. The Mississippi river borders Alexander County on the west and the south. Union county forms its northern border and Pulaski County is to the west. Cairo, the county seat, is the largest city in the county. The largest local employment is found in the  services and government sectors with retail and manufacturing sectors the next most represented. Historically the local economy has been based on Cairo's strategic location at the confluence of the nation's two primary rivers and as a midway point along the Canadian National/Illinois Central railroad's Chicago to New Orleans line. The majority of Alexander County's manufacturing and transportation industries are located along rail lines adjacent to the Ohio river on the northeastern side of the city of Cairo. These industries, which include Waterfront Services and Bunge Corporation are located in the Cairo-Alexander County Enterprise Zone. Illinois Minerals operates a large silica mining operation in the northern part of the county. This is the largest private-sector employer in the county. Alexander County, in comparison with the other four counties of the Southern Five region, has the smallest proportion of its local economy based on agriculture.

The climate is continental, typical of southern Illinois, with an annual temperature range of about 100'. Maximum summer temperatures may reach 100'F and winter minimums can be zero or below. Annual precipitation averages about 45 inches and is about evenly distributed throughout the year.

 The  Lewis and Clark expedition, spent the most time, excepting their winter camps, at their camp in Cairo.  Cairo served as Grant’s headquarters during the Civil War and retains examples of interesting 19^th century river town architecture. Cairo is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Horseshoe Lake Area is famous as the 'goose capital of Illinois,’ and offers outdoorsmen bow and arrow hunting, fishing, hiking and beautiful scenery.

 [Top of Page ]