This aero-view print of Cairo, Illinois was drawn by Albert Ruger and published by Chicago Lith. Co. in 1867. Cairo was founded in the 1830's at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers by the Cairo City & Canal Company. A valued riverboat port, Cairo became a strategic stronghold during the American Civil War as both a supply depot and training center.
Citizens put their personal loyalties aside and welcomed troops beginning in 1861. Most union soldiers instilled believed Cairo residents to be southern sympathizers and much caution was observed.
Cairo prospered greatly with the war, as demand for supplies and basics rose. Captain Ulysses Grant maintained his headquarters in Cairo from September of 1861 until April of 1862. Cairo’s important location proved good control over the waterways and many shipments of contraband were stopped or prevented by Union troops here.
The map from 1867 includes labeled streets, buildings and railroad routes. Cairo’s port scene is indicated and featured steamboats include the “Ruth”, “Baltic” and “Cumberland”.
Features references to the following locations:
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