Cairo, County seat in Alexander County, Illinois.
Cairo is a county seat in Alexander County, Illinois. The town sits on a narrow peninsula where the Ohio River meets the Mississippi, surrounded by water on three sides.
Settlers founded the town in 1818 and named it after the Egyptian city because of its location between two rivers. During the nineteenth century it grew into an important hub for riverboats and railroads.
The city maintains several administrative buildings and structures that reflect its role as the governmental center of Alexander County.
The courthouse building downtown holds the county administrative offices, which are open on weekdays. Visitors can find information about public records and local government services on site.
The town sits at the southernmost point of Illinois, farther south than parts of Missouri and Kentucky. This location made it a strategic spot for the Union during the Civil War.
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