We’re going to swing back through Alton for a few days. Like Hannibal, Quincy or even Cairo, and a bunch of other towns, I can’t help but imagine that except for a few twists of fate, Alton could have been the center of a metropolitan area of two million people, or at least maybe a half million.
But alas, we know how history turned out, and we are left with what is not a suburb of St. Louis, but what I call a “free-standing” city to the north, still very much connected, but proudly independent, much like how I view Belleville. And there are many beautiful churches such as St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
The views of the river from high up on the bluffs, are spectacular.
I discovered one of the most unique, and very cool conversions of an old post office into what is now a coffee shop called Post Commons.
Houses still survive in the downtown area, as well.
Below is the First Presbyterian Church of Alton, whose congregation dates back to 1831; the current building is from 1897.
Moving to the west, we now look down Third Street in what is perhaps one of the more stunning views in the region.
State Street forms the “T” with Third Street, and there are some incredibly old Greek Revival row houses and commercial buildings still standing, most likely from around or before the Civil War.
The Beaux-Arts Masonic Temple is the focal point at the end of Third Street.
More old buildings and a Modernist bank are seen looking up State Street to the north.
There is a nice row of buildings on the north side of Third Street that has a variety of architectural styles heading to the east.
The Riverbender Building is the tallest building in the downtown area.
I think the Snyder Block has one of the best corner turrets around.
And here’s the Hayner Library.
