As the final debate city, Alton did not disappoint.  Just like Quincy, Alton sits on the river.  In fact, both Lincoln and Douglas took the same riverboat from Quincy to Alton.  Alton was a mostly Whig town at that point in time.  In 1837 abolitionist Elijah P. Lovejoy was murdered by a pro-slavery mob in Alton.  Lovejoy was a printer and was trying to protect his printing press from being thrown into the river.  So, obviously, Alton was an important debate town and feelings over slavery ran very high.

Today, Alton’s population is over 30,000 people.  There are many things to do in Alton: eagle watching, gambling at the casino, and haunted tours.  That’s right, haunted tours.  The haunted tours focus on the Civil War era and the Underground Railroad.  Remember the Underground Railroad?  Well, since Alton was right on the river bordering a slave state, it was a big Underground Railroad town.  With the haunted tours you can even go into some of the Underground Railroad tunnels.  You are welcome to bring ghost-hunting equipment.  Unfortunately, kids under 14 are not allowed.  Well, this is the last post for me concerning the debates.  I hope you have enjoyed it.  I know I have.  So many interesting towns, and great food…