Alton, Illinois

The city of Alton, Illinois, is located about 15 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River near its confluence with two other major rivers, the Illinois and the Missouri. Alton, which was the site of the final Lincoln-Douglas debate in 1858, has a population of approximately 30,500 in a 16.6 square mile area. Brick-paved streets, Queen Anne-style houses, and a historic downtown area reflect the city's prosperous industrial past. Today, Alton has a thriving tourist industry, with attractions such as antique shopping, golf courses, and a riverboat casino. Some of Alton's larger employers include Alton Steel, Inc., American Water Company, and Global Brass and Copper, Inc.

Alton grew from a ferry terminal in 1818 to an industrial river-trading town. Warehouses, grain silos and factories clustered around the waterfront. Homes, churches and municipal buildings were built on the hilltops, which offered both scenic views and protection from floods. Alton was a center of abolitionist activity, and a stop on the Underground Railroad for escaped slaves crossing the river from Missouri. In 1837, the same year in which Alton was incorporated, the Reverend Elijah P. Lovejoy, an abolitionist printer, was killed and his printing press destroyed by an angry mob after he tried to prevent them from burning down the warehouse which housed the press. Alton was also the site of Illinois’ first state penitentiary, used to house Confederate prisoners of war during the Civil War. The steel industry was an important part of Alton's economy during the 19th and 20th centuries. The Duncan Foundry and Machine Works sold mining equipment, mold castings and other steelworking necessities. The Laclede Steel Company was established in 1911, and its Alton plant employed more than 3,000 people at its peak, before closing in 1998. Today, Alton Steel, Inc. carries on the steelworking tradition founded by its predecessor. Another large manufacturer, the Alton Brick Company, was producing about 185,000 bricks a day in 1912.

Alton's history of steelworking and related industries has made exposure to asbestos a concern and put workers at risk to develop mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer. If you were exposed to asbestos in Alton and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should also consider contacting a mesothelioma law firm.

Jobsites in Alton where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

A number of jobsites in Alton, IL have been identified as harboring asbestos containing materials. These sites, at one point in their history, were known to have exposed a variety of tradesmen to asbestos. We will be documenting in more detail how asbestos exposure occurred at these sites in the future on this web site.

Mesothelioma Cancer Centers Near Alton, IL

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma cancer centers that are located within a 100 mile radius of Alton, IL. Please click on a cancer center link to obtain more information about the clinical programs offered, professional designations, areas of expertise and how to contact the center.