East Alton

History

East Alton was incorporated as a village in 1893 (some say 1894). William Cobb, namesake of Cobb Street, was one of the first mayors, from 1895 to 1896, and again in 1902–1905. Like many River Bend communities, the town dates back to when European settlers came to the area in the early 19th century. And it wasn't always East Alton — the community was known as Emerald, Milton Settlement and Alton Junction. Alton Junction was also known as Wann Junction, famous locally for being the site of a horrific rail disaster.

Geography

East Alton is located in northwestern Madison County. It is bordered to the northwest by the city of Alton, to the east by unincorporated Rosewood Heights, to the southeast by the city of Wood River, and to the southwest by the Mississippi River, with West Alton, Missouri, on the opposite shore. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, East Alton has a total area of , of which are land and , or 2.87%, are water. The Wood River flows through the northern and western parts of the village and forms the village's western border (with Alton) for some of its distance. The river joins the Mississippi in the southern part of the village. IL 3 passes through the southwest part of the village, leading northwest into Alton and south to East St. Louis. IL 143 follows the Mississippi along the village's southern edge, leading northwest to the center of Alton and east to the center of Wood River. Illinois Routes 111 and 140 run together along the northern border of the village, leading west into Alton and east into Bethalto.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  14,572
• Red-winged Blackbird

  Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  11,684
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  11,065
• Canada Goose (canadensis Group)

  Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  10,906
• American Goldfinch

  Spinus tristis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  10,399
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  10,380
• Downy Woodpecker

  Dryobates pubescens (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  9,899
• Tufted Titmouse

  Baeolophus bicolor (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  9,427

Most recent

• M 3.8 — 2026-01-20
  4 km NW of Ohlman, Illinois
• M 2.57 — 2024-09-19
  1 km S of Old Monroe, Missouri
• M 2.81 — 2024-03-28
  1 km NNE of Germantown, Illinois
• M 2.84 — 2022-04-29
  1 km SSW of Peerless Park, Missouri
• M 3.12 — 2017-07-01
  9 km SSE of Mulberry Grove, Illinois
• M 2.65 — 2015-09-05
  5 km SE of High Ridge, Missouri