Is THIS the SADDEST Town in America? Cairo, Illinois

[@ChrisHarden]

There seems to be a debate (even amongst the locals) about the name pronunciation. Look up any story that features this town on KZbin through a credible source. I pronounced it the way that I heard it pronounced on other news stories and professionally done documentaries. Videos on other credible sources included locals who pronounced it the same way that I did. Also, the Missouri is the largest river in the US, followed by the Mississippi. EVERYTHING THAT I USE IN THE FIELD: Main Camera: amzn.to/3iS4vvF Side Cameras: amzn.to/2WuCYIs Media Mod for Camera: amzn.to/3j7CMGF Lav Mic: amzn.to/3lsMkz9 Drone: amzn.to/3ITcKBV SD Cards: amzn.to/3C2co9O Camera Mounts: amzn.to/2UXVR6p Cables Required for Longer Recordings: amzn.to/3BYnr3Q Computer: amzn.to/3787b2j External Hard Drive: amzn.to/3lb23Tf WHAT I USE AT HOME: Computer: amzn.to/3rKIdiN Sound Mixer: amzn.to/3C15Ubx Microphone: amzn.to/2VaCjvo Microphone Accessories: amzn.to/3v7A35Z INTERACTIVE MAP that shows you all of the places that I've made videos on: (Doesn't always work on mobile devices. Will always work on PC.) www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/edit?hl=en&mid=1Lhzf04ocimPu-ROkg4cfXEYEvKMNnlI5&ll=42.68506257358429%2C-84.48366841804642&z=9 SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTACT INFO: Email: [e-mail] On Twitter: twitter.com/Chris_Harden55 On Instagram: instagram.com/c_harden7/?... On Facebook: facebook.com/ChrisHardenYT/ DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you. As an Amazon Associate I do earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. As always, thank you for supporting my channel!

[@mverick160]

If you're from there and from the old days. It's pronounced K-roh. If you're new or from other places that know of it, it's Cairo. If you're from places that don't know of it, it's like the Egyptian one. Ki-roh. My family is from there and I still go down to Shemwells to get BBQ and a gallon or two of Sauce. At it since I was 5. Know the differences in flavor also from over the years. Grandfather and his partners Goodyear store, gas station and car wash was right next to Shemwells. All tore down now.

[@ChrisHarden]

@@mverick160 … So does that mean that every way it could possibly be pronounced is correct?

[@mverick160]

@@ChrisHarden Yep. It just places you into different categories. Local, older local, from a 100 mile area, and first timer. Lol

[@berlingolingoful]

I'm with the K-ro, kay-row group. Used to drive through Cairo coming and going to all sorts of places from my small Missouri town. Reaching Cairo ment you were almost home!! (At least almost back in Missouri :)

[@allankcrain]

I literally searched for this video so I could hear how it was pronounced.

[@rbanta710]

I broke down in Cairo, a fellow went ouf of his way to help and would not take any money for the help. He worked on the electrical system of my trailer and got me back on the road. I dont know about the town, but I rate the people their tops.

[@warrent5587]

🤔 Are you black, and/or do they help black people in Cairo now❓

[@darrylpowell8247]

That's how we roll.😁 I grew up outside of Cairo. Went to public schools there. Left in 1980 for the military. Been back maybe 3 times to visit unless it was for a family funeral. It's less than 3500 people there now.

[@warrent5587]

@@darrylpowell8247 😁 Nice 👍🏼 Are you black or African American❓If not then either way, what was your experience like growing up in Cairo❓Was their a lot of racial tension❓

[@darrylpowell8247]

@@warrent5587, I'm still black.😁 I grew up in Future City. Yeah, there was alot of racial tension in the 60s. There was a major hotel just off the river called the Halliday hotel. It was rumored they burned it down because blacks wanted to stay there. I remember the race riot like it was yesterday. But it didn't spread out to the rural areas. Only thing affected our folks was the 6:00 curfew. Some people worked in Kentucky at the paper mill overnight.

[@warrent5587]

@@darrylpowell8247 😯 Wow❗Thanks for sharing that brief testimony brother 🙋🏽‍♂️

[@USAR8888]

The fascinating thing about Cairo is that it is almost exactly the same distance from Birmingham, Memphis, Chattanooga, Little Rock, Atlanta and Jackson, Mississippi than it is from Chicago, yet it's still in the state of Illinois. Most people don't realize the vast cultural changes in Illinois from north to south. Once you get south of Springfield, maybe even Peoria, it becomes more "southern", and especially as you get into far southern Illinois it is more like being in the south than the midwest, as it borders Kentucky. You can even hear this difference in the way people talk. A person from, say, Rockford will not sound nearly the same as a person from Marion. I've always found this fascinating about Illinois. Probably one of the most culturally diverse states. You can go from being in the "north" by Wisconsin, to the "midwest" by Peoria/Bloomington, to the "south" by Cairo/Marion all in about a 5-6 hour drive.

[@PuReTiipsy]

Yup!

[@xanderharris1104]

My dad was from hardin county. Its hard 2 believe its in the same state as chicago.

[@USAR8888]

@@xanderharris1104 It definitely is! I've been down to Hardin County a few times, seen Cave in Rock, Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock Trail and driven through the small towns. Definitely is not the same universe as the rest of Illinois. Has a Tennessee/Kentucky/Arkansas kind of vibe.

[@xanderharris1104]

@@USAR8888 my dad was from rosiclare.

[@davidhott6395]

I live in Marion. Been here most my life. Also lived in Chicago. I know what you mean about the change in accents. Also use to take my Dad to catch a river boat in Cairo alot. Been all over Illinois.

[@ambrose419]

I am from Cairo. I would love for people who do videos like this to actually interview people from the town to really get a feel for the town

[@myeshamartin6841]

I was born and raised in Cairo Illinois in 1972, my whole family is from there and some still live there, the corruption is what has left the town in such disarray, I always hoped someone would bring mass attention to it and bring in people to revive the town, the people there are the kindest people you will ever want to meet, went back 2 years ago to visit family, and was sad at how things have drastically changed. No matter what it will always be considered home for so many of us. Thank you for sharing

[@chadm6981]

I grew up in paducah been thru there many times.

[@michelehenne2477]

The last time I went through Cairo, I cried at the state of it. 😥

[@dp7047]

Where did you move to?

[@asafaust8869]

My hometown is Mounds, IL. I miss it a lot. Living in Champaign does not even begin to compare to magnificent Southern, Illinois. I would love to move back there, but it would not be safe for me to do so.

[@michelehenne2477]

@@asafaust8869 I am in between, in Salem IL. 😊

[@monserizo7338]

About 10+ years or so my family and I were road-tripping to Texas, we live in Chicago so we decided to take the 16+ drive down to San Antonio... anyway it was about 3-4am when the front tire of our truck popped and leaving a nasty tear that could not be easily fixed. We ended up having to stay in a shady looking motel next to a gas station, it was pitch black, and honestly, all I could think of what kind of murderous souls might be wandering through that part of town, the next morning my dad received help from the local mechanic who happened to have his shop next door.. he heard of our story and didn't want to charge us. My dad ended up paying him anyway, once we were back on the road I looked around to see exactly where we had ended up and all I saw was a little sign the read " Cairo, IL". I don't know much else about this place but I can speak for its people they were all very kind and helpful! True small town people... ❤️

[@ChrisHarden]

Great story, thanks for sharing

[@whiplash3kilo756]

Please stay out of my state.

[@debraellison6255]

It makes sense that the people are kind. All they have is each other. The politicians don't give a rat's. I bet they eat better than the towns people too. I can also bet when the people sit down to dinner there is no better tasting food no matter what's on the table. I'll take a pot of beans and a skillet of cornbread with family over any steak dinner.

[@lamportnholt9509]

GOING ON A ROAD TRIP.....MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO CARRY A SPARE....WANKER...............!!!!!!!

[@debraellison6255]

@@jimmyv5730 My mother who was 90 and a Democrat all her life died a few months ago. She would get a kick out of your name here. She couldn't stand Palouzy. She voted for our President Trump twice.

[@hollienapier289]

In 1969 my family lived in Marion Il North of Cairo . My Father's employer moved us to Marion. We only lived there for one year. We went in the car headed into Kentucky. I do not know where or why. I was 13 years old. I was the oldest child, a daughter, of four children. I knew nothing of the world yet. Our vehicle was met at the city limits by a policeman in his patrol car. Mom and Dad were advised not to stop anywhere in town. The officer escorted our car, through town , to the opposite city limits. We were really confused and scared. Dad told us it was because of the racial tensions in town. Dad went on to tell us what had been going on in the town. It was one of the first encounters I experienced of racism. I remember Southern Illinois was very poor, lots of strip mines. Your article brought back memories. It is a shame the area never did prosper.

[@69eddieD]

But Cairo was once a very prosperous city. Cairo was a hub of river commerce. Then the railroads came along and left Cairo behind. Chicago became the "big city" in Illinois because of railroads. Racism dealt another blow to Cairo. There were riots and a strict Jim Crow society well into the 1970s. Did you know that in (or around) 1960 the City filled the local swimming pool with concrete instead of allowing blacks in the pool as required by federal law? I-57 was the death blow. It went right around the City.

[@karenmadrigal2835]

Aq

[@cynthiarose7534]

I was born in that hospital in 1957. We moved to south suburban Chicago in 1966. My grandparents lived in the Elmwood place projects in the late 60s through around 1974. Most of my family members lived in Cairo. I’m glad we moved before the racial trouble came. I haven’t been there since late 70s. I would love to see it again. The Magnolia Manor and Riverlore Mansions are beautiful. Commercial street used to be thriving. My Dads family had Rose Coal and later Rose Trucking in Cairo. I also loved Schemwells BBQ. I’m happy to see that it’s still there. It’s got to be at least 60 years old. This is the best video I’ve seen about Cairo. It brings back good times and yet also very sad. Alexander County is definitely a forgotten place. No matter what happens to Cairo, I’ll always love it and remember the good times I had there at 420 37th street. Thanks again for the awesome video. I loved it.

[@ChrisHarden]

Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate that!

[@chuckinhouston9952]

Glad you got out when you did

[@andyokus5735]

I'm born in 1957 too in Litchfield Illinois. Lived in Southwest Illinois til I was 6. Memories of peace and a simple strong common people 🙏.

[@warrent5587]

🤔 Are you speaking from a white person's point of view or a black person's point of view❓

[@cynthiarose7534]

@@warrent5587 white Italian person.

[@bentnickel7487]

I lived in a little town north of Cairo and graduated from high school in 1967. Even then, Cairo was not a place with a future. Back then, they had a population of 4500. The town was beautiful, mostly middle class elderly folks that owned their own homes. As the elderly died out, the homes were bought by poor people that let the houses fall into disrepair. By 1990 Cairo had hundreds of fallen down brick businesses and burned out houses. Most of those structures have been cleaned up. I cried while watching this. Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, friends all lived in Cairo in the late 50's to late 60's, now all dead. I live in beautiful Virginia now. Surrounded by Magnolia trees, just the way Cairo had them in the 50's.

[@davidtaylor8645]

Was just curious to you remember any of the civil rights rallies or anything like that? I read that in the early 60s the population was 9000 and bye the 70s it was only 6000, and a lot of it was due to riots, is that nor true

[@bentnickel7487]

@@davidtaylor8645 You can read about the racial problems in Cairo on Wikipedia "Racial unrest in Cairo, Illinois". Problems started happening in July of 1967. Most of those occurrences happened at night and were perpetrated by outsiders, that were bussed in. I didn't leave the area, because of racial tension. I left due to lack of jobs. When I would return to visit my family, I never saw marches or protests. The Pyramid Housing Project was mostly all black, by 1967, and seemed to be where the outsiders stayed. My family lived at that housing project briefly, in 1949 and 1950. Twenty years later, it had declined due to a money shortage from the government. Were there racial problems? Yes. The biggest problem was money, though. No jobs or future, for anyone. If you weren't a farmer, you had no future, in Cairo.

[@marciawilwerding4984]

"There's something fishy about the politics in Illinois." Thank you for recognizing that. I grew up in Illinois and experienced impoverished, small-town living all my life. We now live in Southwest Michigan and are beginning to see this state make the same mistakes.

[@markbrowning4334]

Yes. That mistake is called liberalism.

[@DaLatinKnight]

​@@markbrowning4334Thanks Reagan

[@markbrowning4334]

@@DaLatinKnight Just the best president this country has seen in my lifetime.

[@glennhubbard5008]

In the Civil War, Cairo was the largest city in Illinois. General Grant gathered his army there in 1862 for the drive to Vicksburg and Shiloh. It could be an amazing place.

[@ScorpioBornIn69]

Chicago is the largest by.

[@whobeyou5342]

When driving thru it the first time, it felt like a movie set for a post apocalyptic movie- it's so perfectly strange.

[@SirManfly]

so where did all the people go from the demolished housing units?

[@hunchodinero9057]

@@SirManfly To Carbondale some moved to houses they could find and with family some went to the blue apartments on 18th

[@HighSpeedNoDrag]

I am new to Illinois and I must travel and or gallivant there hence your comment.

[@JeffreyB1983]

Large job losses + mass unrest = abandoned city.

[@warrent5587]

True ✅

[@deepsleep7822]

Cairo is in an energy industry area - coal, (natural) gas, oil. When the resources are depleted, sadly, this kind of stuff happens. Nothing (natural resources) lasts forever.

[@ViceCoin]

Illinois has the highest unemployment rate for black men in the US.

[@benjaminmateles1353]

This town is where the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers meet. This place could have easily become a major city but now water transportation is out of favor. Very sad 😢

[@JimmySand9]

That’s precisely what I clicked on this video to say. Definitely a great “what if” story.

[@heroesandzeros7802]

Those rivers are well known for causing sink holes in Cairo. I saw a couple of cars in one of them.

[@WinWin-qh9uh]

@@heroesandzeros7802 Those rivers were there long before K-Roh ever was.....

[@terrygelinas4593]

Water transportation is still important, however investment and maintenance in infrastructure is lacking. This includes fixing major bridges.

[@swflfishing2902]

As you leave Cairo there’s a couple run down buildings and the sign reads “Future City”

[@leerothman7570]

I left Illinois in 78. The politicians there have ruined your state over the last 40 years. I remember going to college in SIU Carbondale in 72 and hearing about Cairo. Very sad how the state allowed it to disintegrate. They are allowing that everywhere including Chicago. Such is the exodus of business and families. Their taxes are absurd and only support their ridiculous retirement funds of crap city employee programs.

[@iworkout6912]

Having traveled through much of rural America for the last 8 years on business, I see so many small towns, villages, and small cities that are just like this city. Unless they have a college/university, industry, and business has just gone away. Once in awhile I have seen a small city that has looked somewhat prosperous. Many are county seats (like Cairo) and a food processing plant of some sort. If you don't get off the interstate, you miss all of this. But traveling on the interstate to Disney World you probably think all is just great.

[@chemech]

Ever since the Tax "Reform" Act of 1986 took full effect in 1990, industrial operations have had great difficulty making ends meet. Other tax increases and regulatory policies made things worse, and it's often unaffordable to invest in expanding, revising, or starting up an industrial operation Short of some major policy changes, most of small town America is going to convert over to solely agricultural support, and the surrounding farmers are also facing serious tax and regulatory hurdles.

[@Beer-can_full_of_toes]

They built interstates around towns like this to kill them and keep travelers from seeing how bad things are.

[@danielsentertainmentproduc1527]

Not only Cairo is sad and depressing it is also one of the most interesting places in America geographically since it is closer to several southern cities Memphis Tennessee Birmingham Than to Chicago in its own state Illinois

[@HBC423]

The trees and plants don’t really look like the south, but the rundown houses definitely do.

[@richardjones2609]

@@HBC423 Actually, the flora are quite typical of the Middle South - and I have been there many times.

[@HBC423]

@@richardjones2609 I live in Tennessee

[@richardjones2609]

@@HBC423 as do i.

[@HBC423]

@@richardjones2609 Chattanooga

[@aaronw1997]

I live close to Cairo. My dad was raised there. My grandparents on my mom’s side are buried in the national cemetery that you passed at the very beginning of your video. And hell I was in Cairo yesterday lol. I appreciate when people actually talk about the history of this town instead of just how depressing it is. Its history is so important in my opinion because it shows how racism can destroy a community. I’m rooting for this place. I don’t want such a history rich place to just disappear. It just has so much going against and too many incompetent people in power though

[@Right-Is-Right]

The people in power are not incompetent, they are doing their jobs perfectly, the problem is they are state politicians and they do not work for the people of cairo, they work for their own constituency, mainly the big cities. so they give tax cuts to big buisnesses to move to the cities to give their voters jobs and the higher taxes are spread to everyone else. that is the main problem with democracy that does not have proper safeguards, people will use the power they get to buy the position to keep the power.

[@starseyes2696]

My Grandmother was Mable Johnson , my father was Sidney Johnson , they lived in Klondike , just past Future City , first time I visited, got to know my fathers side was at 13 , in was born in 72 , last time I was there was around 2008 or 2009 , so much had changed by then , so sad most dont realize the racist past this town and it's people suffered

[@janepope3804]

Sure it was racism and not the fact that poor people that didn't a give shit moved in and blighted the place I've watched a ton of these and the problem is obvious.People need some pride.

[@cutriexploratory3756]

It’s been 5 years since I’ve been back. Every time I go it’s gotten worse. My family is from there. It was once a beautiful place!

[@drozone3658]

At one time top 10 cities in America now there isn’t even a grocery store or gas station

[@juliancrooks7559]

Same reason I left Iowa in the 80s, no future there

[@TheSterlingArcher16]

@@juliancrooks7559 Depends on the area. The Des Moines metro is one of the fastest growing areas in the US.

[@Ted_Stryker]

@@drozone3658 Like Flint, Michigan. At one time, it was the richest city per capita in the U.S. Now it's one of the poorest.

[@chadm6981]

I grew up in paducah. Been thru Cairo many times. Still hate driving across the bridges. Lol

[@TheAarikja]

I and my family lived in Cairo, IL during the racial riots. My Dad was the star agent for Missouri Pacific Railroad. His office was right across the street from Abe Solomon's scrap yard. I was in middle school and spent my first year of High School there. I remember quite well the Egyptian Courts housing projects and the 'Rev' Jesse Jackson coming to town stirring up shit and creating divisiveness among the people of what WAS a quiet, peaceful community where everyone got along...both black and white. I and my family attended Cairo First Baptist Church. I remember as a young girl my Dad, who was a WWII veteran, being fearful of going to work each day and putting a piece of pipe with holes drilled in it in the upstairs of the MO PAC agency to make it look like he was armed while armored military vehicles patrolled the streets. I was in GAA's (girl's athletic association) at the High School and ate at Shemwell's Barbecue, some of the best barbecue in the South. I had friends, Barbara Heilig and a girl whose family owned the lumber company in Cairo. We were proud of Cairo's history and I'll bet no one knows of the underground tunnel that went under the Mississippi River there where slaves were sent to freedom. It may still be there. There was an underground 'railway' to freedom there. Now, Cairo, IL is dying. That's what divisiveness, hatred and poor government will do to a town...literally destroy it. I've driven through Cairo lately and can't wait to cross the rickety old bridge to get the Hell out of there. It is a shambles, a sad, sad dying town wallowing in the mire it created.

[@dougroberts3643]

Divisiveness sure does have a way of ruining communities. People won't stay in a town if they can't get along with their neighbors. And businesses will close the doors and move as well taking all the money and livelihoods with them. This video is a prime example of the outcome

[@rwood87]

Thank u for ur input! I worked for the tow boats and we would come to Cairo for crew change and would get in our rental cars and leave.

[@paulnew4178]

⁰

[@christinel5124]

I used to live in Cairo, too, in around 1967. I went to Bennett Elementary School. My husband and I recently drove through Cairo. I was shocked! I remember some riots and I remember the police department being shot at. My dad worked at Burkhardt' s. We lived by the levee. We watched water come up over the levee. My dad came home to take us out of there. We were going under that trestle bridge and the water came up to the floorboards as we chugged through. We lived in Urbandale before we moved to Cairo. Then, we moved to Mound City, which is north of Cairo. I was the oldest of 6 at the time. I wanted to take a memory tour of places I lived my life. I still have more to do.

[@radicalraccoon]

Governments and corporate media are stirring up this kind of divisiveness on a national scale these days and it's hurting everyone. It's sad to see so many giving in to these tactics and allowing themselves to become filled with hatred and fear for one another. If we want to prosper, we have to work together. Cairo is an example of what this kind of division can do to us on a smaller scale. It's sad. I wish I could have seen Cairo before things started going downhill.

[@jennifermays2009]

My family way back was from Wickliffe, Ky, just a few miles down the road and across the bridge from Cairo (Kay-Row is how we’ve always pronounced it.) I remember stories about my grandmother, born in 1924, going Christmas shopping with her parents in Cairo. Then, when she was grown and became a nurse, she worked briefly at St. Mary’s before moving to California. I heard whispered stories of her and her friends getting crazy dancing at the Purple Crackle with military guys just leaving for or coming home from WW2. Later on, she married and returned home. My uncle was born in the hospital in Cairo (1948.) My mom came along in 1953 and she, too, remembered trips to Cairo to eat and shop when visiting the grandparents in Wickliffe, though by then most of the family lived in Paducah, KY. She remembered when she was in high school that she felt bad for the black folks in Cairo…they were treated horribly, she said. My own memory of Cairo is fairly short, save for a couple of drive-throughs and one unusual overnight stay. I was seven years old and my mother was expecting a child. I have in my head that she was about five months along; I guess I’d heard her say so but I couldn’t tell from looking at her belly. We had spent a few days of summer break with some cousins in East Prairie, MO and were heading home. I was sad to be leaving and remember pouting in the back seat. Mom began to complain of pain…then saw blood. She sped to Cairo to the hospital, as we were close. She was admitted; she’d miscarried. This would’ve been in the late 70’s, and since nobody was home to answer the phone to come get me, it was agreed that I’d sleep in the waiting room at the hospital that night. Mom’s nurse offered to let me sleep on her couch, so I went home with a sweet stranger (you could do this then, I guess!) who told me over and over that my mom was okay, but the baby had been very tiny and very sick, so I could understand what had happened. The nurse had a cookout to attend. She made me presentable and took me along, too. I remember sitting outside, listening to people laugh and talk, feeling comfortable, safe and drinking cold Cokes out of glass bottles, while at the same time thinking that maybe the baby had been a little girl with blonde hair and that she was very pretty and must be in heaven. So, Cairo, for me, has always felt a little lovely…the kindness and safety it offered us that day. I wish it a better future and believe it to be worth saving.

[@williammatthews7252]

👋 I'm form Mayfield Kentucky, U stayed in Paducah too I'm back in Detroit but yeah my mom and dad , cousins played softball and got liquor from there, Mayfield is wet, my cousin wife is from there and a few friends I know but SHOUT out to CAIRO Cairo

[@seanasbell9368]

Three words to describe the state of Cairo: Corrupt. Illinois. Politics.

[@sleepingwitdemons3666]

Truth.

[@thrasherx2k1]

That’s dems for ya

[@thrasherx2k1]

@Thomas Woulfe-2022 I was talking about Springfield

[@glhmedic]

More commenters who probably don’t here just mouthing off.

[@PaulaKWidener]

There's people that can say that your state is corrupted so don't turn around and knock state that you never lived in

[@ThroughTheVeilParanormal]

Lived and raised in Cairo IL. Im getting ready to go back and see family and what is left. Im surprised you did not include the Riverlore and the Magnolia Manor. Thank you for the tour...it ready sad to see all that has been lost here since I was a child in the 70s

[@stephenfletcher1579]

When the racial tension hemorrhage, the town demised. I'm not taking sides, but I will say everybody lost. Sad but true,we all say aughta, shoulda, coulda. I travel through the town twice a week year around,been doing it for a dozen years on business. One can get a lesson in economics, history, geography, and politics in one visit. When a town is located between the two biggest rivers for towboat and barge traffic, Interstate, railroads, and comes together with two other states, doesn't prosper, it's a very sad state of affairs. You can say ,start from scratch, but who or what company would want to take the gamble.Illinois is one of the least friendly states, when it comes to new businesses. I may sound pessimistic, and I hope I'm wrong, but nothing short of a miracle is gonna save the town.

[@ralphl8055]

You have to get the scrum out of the government and hire good people

[@commonsense3921]

@stephenfletcher1579 You not taking a side?? How about taking the side against racism???

[@charlie.something]

"there's something funny about illinois politics." that may be the funniest thing i've ever heard.

[@stevepowsinger733]

First rule of corrupt politicians: always deny there is anything amiss and resist investigations.

[@williammorse8330]

@@stevepowsinger733 or keep the cash flowing....

[@adivasi6894]

I once read somewhere, it's the most corrupt state in America.

[@williammorse8330]

@@adivasi6894 if not, then close to it.... when your cities continue to slide and you bleed businesses and residents, it's often due to crooked or incompetent housekeeping.... Cairo and East St. Louis come to mind immediately.... there are others.... in fairness though, it's a national issue with manufacturing being lured to China and elsewhere by "free" trade.... look at what happened to PHL's industrial base....

[@bemore1134]

Never lived in Illinois, but live next door, and have friends there. Politically I believe it's a filthy, filthy place. I won't express exactly why, but it's a seven-letter word ending in "cago".

[@joshnoeska6939]

Love this video. Learned about this town in my finance class, due to like you mentioned Cairo being in the poorest county in IL. This is fascinating, since I am from the suburbs of Chicago. I couldn't agree more with what you said about IL being essentially 3 separate states.

[@cpcattin]

“The fix is in” must have been first uttered in Illinois. I moved to Illinois in 1974. Even in my innocent teens I knew immediately that Illinois is a place for insiders. Illinois is its own brand of organized criminal operation. Sicily could pickup some pointers from Illinois.

[@BrianJNelson]

Apparently you've never heard of Chicago...

[@msann5707]

Speaking of Sicily, you do know that Chi Town was run by the Mafia. They controlled everything.

[@travelingwithrick]

@@msann5707 "A man named Al Capone ran the town as his own." from the song, ' night Chicago died.' Chicago called the 'Windy City not from the wind coming off the lake but from the blowhard politicians.

[@msann5707]

@@travelingwithrick yeah but The Daly machine also ran things for many generations and they were not from Sicily-Irish instead but just as corrupt. Asé

[@rachemlil]

I live in mid Illinois predominantly white Manteno. I am from Oregon and NJ. ILLINOIS is depressing within it self but even worse when you see place like this. Very sad this town couldn’t be more

[@MsMadmax1]

Folks in small towns are a different breed of people. They wave to everyone, they talk to anyone one and they will go out of their way to help a stranger. It breaks my heart to see the current state of Cairo. My husband works in the packaging industry--I've been pushing like mad trying to talk his company into opening a plant where it would do the most good. My mom grew up in a little farming community near by--a place called Sun Field. She used to tell me what Cairo was like during WWII. It was a thriving city with shops on the square. I could just cry when I see videos like this. I hope someone who will invest in the people of little towns like this will open their hearts and help save them.

[@SaraaBriaa]

Found you from your video on Galesburg IL, I love that you include the streets and towns/counties as you drive along 🙌🏼

[@suerobinson5260]

Very interesting video on Cairo. I always wondered what it was like down there. Interesting observations about IL’s politics. It’s true about IL having 3 different sides to the state. I live in northern IL, & it’s vastly different from the other parts of the state. The politicians don’t seem to care about anything outside Chicago, or Springfield. Southern IL seems like a different world altogether. I didn’t realize Cairo was so close to Memphis. The tip of southern IL is further south than Richmond, VA. Interesting juxtaposition of the poor areas, & the wealthier homes, like the Magnolia Manor. It’s got to be hard for the folks in Cairo, having little to no services, hospital too far away, no grocery stores, etc. As you mentioned, they’re not close to any major cities.

[@bwill357]

Imagine being in a town that hated black people but named after a city in Africa

[@ronniepirtlejr2606]

Hi Everyone. I live like 50 minutes north of Cairo. From what I have been gathering over the decades on the news ( when I used to watch the news and trust it). They keep paying people for losing their property and houses in Cairo after the last flood they had. knowing that the land is going to flood again. They tell people to move to a higher location, a safer place! But, they don't do that, they keep taking the money & fix up the same property that was flooded before. Finally what happened. after this last flood, A lot of people did not receive any money. People were upset yelling foul. The insurance company's City officials and everyone else that's involved spoke up and said the people have been reimbursed in the past. They knew it was going to flood again yet, they chose to rebuild on your same flood prone location. Finally people did have to move. There is only so much the Levy can do. The Mississippi River will go where she wants to go & flood where she wants to flood!

[@michiganjfrog366]

It's creepy that you never see people..

[@williammorse8330]

similar to driving down the streets of St. Louis.....

[@jenf7309]

Just drove through and saw plenty of people..

[@kimiastewart6293]

This is great content! I am from Oak Park Illinois right outside of Chicago. We moved out of state 3 years ago because we could no longer afford the property taxes I have been through Cairo back in 2003, I really appreciate learning about the town

[@jamaryia93]

I live in Chicago across the street from oak park, IL

[@kimiastewart6293]

@@jamaryia93 I sure miss my friends there and the fantastic food

[@marcelwooden2098]

Come back kimia

[@BobSmith-iu3hx]

I am curious, how much were your property taxes?.

[@danhammond3047]

Millionaires row? Selling for a lot less than that now.. Concerning the racial tensions of the 60’s, since when is burning down someone’s business an acceptable response to perceived discrimination? Take your next trip through the burned out sections on some major northern cities in 2020; still willing to give those rioters a pass? I live in the Deep South and am proud to say we have made real progress and our fire trucks remained parked.

[@ElizasGrammy]

While I was just trying to get back to Tennessee from Missouri last year, I took a wrong turn and somehow ended up in this strange place that I had never heard of before. I remember there were no cars or people walking around that day... but some of the architecture made me slow down and then stop. I accidentally found my way onto Millionaire's Row and was just stunned. It was just this dead silence and all these beautiful houses... I got out and while I was standing there, it felt like some clock just stopped ticking. You know how random thoughts run through your head. I suddenly thought of the Mary Celeste and I hurried back into my car and left Cairo in my rearview mirror.

[@hampshireillinoisbackroads494]

Trump 2020

[@lakishadm6587]

lmfao

[@louslugga9887]

😂😂😂😂

[@warrent5587]

@@hampshireillinoisbackroads494 🤣 Wrong ❌

[@warrent5587]

Who is Mary Celeste❓

[@getx1265]

Used to go through Cairo in late 50s/early 60s on way to Florida vacation, always taking an old ferry across the river, usually in the night time. Exciting times for a little kid.

[@stevegabbert9626]

The ferry I use is at Cave In Rock, Il. It's small, and the last time I crossed on it the Ohio was flooded and had wood and other debris floating around. Since I was on my motorcycle it made it exciting and more fun.

[@larrywilliams1372]

My great grandparents lived in Cairo. We used to visit them there in the late'60s/early '70s. I remember family talk about the race riots but I never saw any of that myself. I also went there with my grandparents (who lived in nearby Olive Branch) for groceries and shopping trips in the early '70s. It seemed to me like any other normal town then. I was there a few years ago researching family history. I was looking for my great grandparents gravesite in nearby Mounds. I couldn't find it so I stopped at John Bell Monuments in Cairo to ask for help. The owner had obviously been there or a very long time. When I told him who I was looking for he guided me to their headstone from memory! It turns out that their headstone had fallen over face-first, which was why I missed it.

[@trplpwr1038]

It was alive and kicking in the late 50's and early 60's. Good memories going to the five and dime with my Grandpa

[@genekelly8467]

Wow! Cairo was a big port town when Mark Twain piloted riverboats. Sadly, it seems to have no function today.

[@happydays8171]

Functioning trailer parks and meth capital of Illinois, thank you.

[@deepsleep7822]

Cairo, used to be a major railroad center 100 years ago.

[@allanbacon2977]

Floods

[@katepanthera7265]

I've lived in Illinois all my life, and although I'd heard of Cairo, I had no idea that it was in this kind of shape. Nor did I know that there are so many places like this in Illinois. It's not only sad, but tragic.

[@ChrisHarden]

There aren’t too many places in Illinois that are at the same level as Cairo is, but I know what you mean. It’s shocking. The further south you go in IL, the more miserable places you’ll see.

[@commonsense3921]

I think karma hit Cairo.

[@morganlewis2667]

I think Chris has a talent and a method for making boring places even more boring and sad. That monotone voice serving up stats is weak stuff.

[@j.philiplarson2064]

So what's the predominant political party in Illinois? Oh yeah...thanks democrats! But then, the people keep voting them into office so there's that. Maybe someday they will wake up!

[@sararogers7338]

My father grew up in Cairo in the 70-80’s and my grandmother still lives there. You can see her house near the very end of the video, it used to be called “the Cairo Motel” and the rooms were what she uses as a garage now because the rooms were so small! Also, we all say Cairo the same way you say it, idk why people are complaining about your pronunciation. I was very sad about how you said it was almost flooded because my father and I love to visit it still. Also, they just recently repainted the highschool! Love from STL 💖

[@swervedriver5260]

I drove through this town in 2008 on my way to Shawnee National Forest. If you look at a map of Illinois, you will notice it is a huge land area. So little is talked about that forest. Maybe you can do a video about it?

[@garydavis9844]

These dieing towns could become retirment communities or reclaimed and rebuilt for folks from towns lost to big floods around the gulf coast!!

[@dw72dswKGBBBB]

the local economy is too saturated by overtaxing and poor leadership that projects of this scale sadly are unrealistic. its the destiny of most rural interstate communities within Illinois.

[@crossbow3539]

Gary Davis their wouldn’t be enough doctors in a close vicinity lot of older people go to the doctors office at least once a week

[@blakesteenrod4765]

Smart idea, until you realize that Tennessee would be their first option

[@bemore1134]

Seriously, if you could draw a diagonal line from Rockford SE to the southern tip of Chicago, and everything in Illinois south of that line became a separate state, places downstate would be so much better off.

[@MrFriesz]

I'm retired and I wouldn't even think of moving to a place like that. That place has no shopping, entertainment or things to do, it's downright depressing unless I was broke or an invalid, then it wouldn't matter.

[@tjmurray6549]

Cairo Illinois certainly is one of the saddest and strangest towns in America-considering it's sad history. I too have seen many videos here on You Tube about this place-it looks like a perfect place to film a horror or zombie movie!

[@ChrisHarden]

It sure does!

[@warrent5587]

😯 I know right❓❗

[@whitenoiseihearu4018]

Street lights i bet are creepy at sun set

[@Egilhelmson]

Ah, it is nothing on the city of Kaskaskia, Illinois, with the oldest Catholic Church in the USA. Of course, it started going downhill in the mid 19th century, when River shifts made it an island, and again in the 1990s, when the River flooded by over 20 feet, and the entire island was condemned by the insurance companies and the Roman Catholic diocese. The “islanders” paid a retired priest to say Mass at the old French church, and kept garages in repair, holding farm machinery, because the soil is still great (and new) from the last flood.

[@ryanweber7826]

I live in Kansas. Back in 2004, I took a road trip and ended up in Cairo. Strange, creepy little town. I got onto youtube to find out more about that place. I watched this video, and then I watched your other videos. Keep your funny commentary going!

[@bradforddillman7671]

Really enjoyed this video, but if I could offer any constructive criticism, I’d suggest lowering (or remove) the background music. It got a little grating after a while. But I really enjoyed your look at these forgotten towns

[@sparsparkster5997]

I was going to write the same, thanks

[@sparsparkster5997]

I was going to write the same.

[@pauldichtel6410]

Yes the music gets tiring.

[@beasaroseco5840]

Gotta love that 80's instructional video music.🤣

[@Davidbrompton58]

I actually thought the music was great! Who is it?

[@WinteryMix84]

I was shocked at the condition of Cairo. I was expecting a gorgeous historical place. It is shameful that the State of Illinois has abandoned this historic gem that holds such cultural/ historic heritage.

[@freebird1ification]

if the folks dont give historic places money the countys most likely right them off

[@Thomas-qh3vj]

Illinois politicians only care about chiraq

[@Sgt_Kilborn]

The Illinois government really don't care about anywhere other than Chicago and Springfield, and maybe Alton. The rest of the state can screw off as far as they're concerned.

[@LadyAvN]

They didn't abandon it, they gutted it. New construction starts soon.

[@mikekeeler6362]

It's like East St Louis it's the only two towns that Illinois the government subsidizes that's about it

[@coolmikey5895]

Thanx for making this video. I am a life long resident of DuPage county in northern Illinois. I had no idea that this far south point of Illinois was in so much trouble. Very eye opening. I guess the problems are many. Constant flooding, lack of interest from wealthy people to invest there, and corrupt Illinois politics.

[@charlessedlacek5754]

Gay.

[@deadlysquirrel5560]

I took a side trip to this area in the 1990's, because I had read about it in Charles Dickens "American Notes". What he saw in 1837, was pretty much what I saw in 1994: "At length, upon the morning of the third day, we arrived at a spot so much more desolate than any we had yet beheld, that the forlornest places we had passed, were, in comparison with it, full of interest. At the junction of the two rivers, on ground so flat and low and marshy, that at certain seasons of the year it is inundated to the house-tops, lies a breeding-place of fever, ague, and death; vaunted in England as a mine of Golden Hope, and speculated in, on the faith of monstrous representations, to many people's ruin. A dismal swamp, on which the half-built houses rot away: cleared here and there for the space of a few yards; and teeming, then, with rank unwholesome vegetation, in whose baleful shade the wretched wanderers who are tempted hither, droop, and die, and lay their bones; the hateful Mississippi circling and eddying before it, and turning off upon its southern course a slimy monster hideous to behold; a hotbed of disease, an ugly sepulchre, a grave uncheered by any gleam of promise: a place without one single quality, in earth or air or water, to commend it: such is this dismal Cairo." To be fair though, Charles Dickens pretty much hated all of America.

[@chaosdweller]

What did I just read? Deadly 🐿️? Lol!

[@ianfirth33]

I watched this vid because, I think Cairo is mentioned in my favorite book ever, Huck Finn by Mark Twain, Jim who is trying to get to Cairo on a raft with Huck Finn as an escaped slave, they sail past in a fog and miss the town, maybe there is something sad and prophetic in Twain's words. Even then this town offered no hope of salvation and was easily missed in the night.

[@DatCrazyChick84]

Yes it was.

[@hemijohn1983]

Was born there in 1983 the hospital and everything left including my family! It's just sad now!😢

[@jerryfoust6794]

Why did hospital leave? No money for the greedy?

[@hemijohn1983]

@@jerryfoust6794 Exactly!

[@UrbanGhostHunters]

Just subscribed and love the channel! I'm personally from Memphis Tennessee and Cairo was where my great grand parents and family was from. It's been over 30 years since I've been here for a family reunion or to Horseshoe Lake. I think like my great grand parents and extended family most of the residents here became older and died off. Thanks for a wonderful trip back down memory lane 🙏🙏

[@patrickmahoney5798]

just stumbled upon this and was really impressed by the amount of research you did. the stories of america's forgotten towns rarely get told and the history of racial tensions felt relevant. will check out the rest of your channel!

[@ChrisHarden]

Appreciate that man!

[@davidpalmer5166]

I grew up in Paducah Ky, just down the river. I worked at a small electronics shop and made weekly trips to Cairo in the 60s. No matter how bad you think it was in the 60s & early 70s let me tell you it was worse. That's one of my main problems with the culture of today. They want to remove too many of the reminders of the past instead of putting focus on them and learn lessons from history. I was one of the first white children that was sent to a previously all black elementary school and that's where I really learned that people from a different race were STILL people. Some of the kids were my best friends.

[@williammatthews7252]

I'm from MAYFIELD KENTUCKY MY Grandfather and his father and mother is from Paducah, I a few of Famoly members there.

[@robertmendick3195]

As a young boy I remember reading The adventures of Tom Sawyer and The adventures of Huckleberry Fin. They are classic fictional adventures penned by Mark Twain. Each was about young boys in pre-Civil War Missouri growing up in a town on the Mississippi River. Huckleberry Fin had Cairo mentioned as an important destination in his Mississippi River adventure.

[@DavidGarcia-ho2bp]

Interesting video, I like how the street names are displayed as you drive!

[@stflaw]

I had been reading about Cairo's role in the early stages of the Civil War and was curious to know what it looks like present-day. Very unfortunate. FYI, the demolished housing units can still be seen from the Google Earth street view photos, which were taken in 2013.

[@HighSpeedNoDrag]

Yes, the town must have Tremendous influence given it's geography alone. I thought I read that the name Cairo stemmed from something similar to Egypt, etc.

[@judycockrell6469]

We lived in the housing units..it was called the projects.

[@radicalraccoon]

I've passed through there a few times on my way to visit friends in a neighboring state. Never stopped, but I've always thought that it looked like it may have once been a nice town, so I decided to look it up to see what videos may be out there regarding the town and that's how I stumbled across your video. I'm impressed with the quality of the video and the information provided therein, so I've subscribed. I hope you continue pursuing production of similar content.. Thank you for the video!

[@ChrisHarden]

Appreciate that! Thanks for watching, and I plan on going everywhere possible!

[@chaosdweller]

I'm guessing? I talked or clicked on a or to a certain individual,... leading me here , but yes I'm enjoying this as a nerd would haha.

[@steveo288]

The first questions that crossed my mind were, is there a Mayor, City Counsel or a police or Fire Departments there? An interview with the Mayor would be interesting to hear. Sadly there are many similar towns like this in southern IL and southeast MO.

[@CaptainLDH]

They have a 5 full time fire men for the city. 8 full time police and 6 full time county sheriffs department. EMS is providing by the county. Any city usually has a council if they are corporated. If they are not the county usually handles business for cities or communities in corporate

[@crystalcaudillo8462]

I lived and worked in Cairo years ago. It's taken a piece of my heart.

[@chaosdweller]

Idk? if this is good or bad ?

[@swingrfd]

Wait till the New Madrid fault shifts again. You think things are bad now.

[@melissas.2905]

We ate so overdue with the New Madrid Fault line.... I dread it.

[@laceybanter5937]

I think about it every time I cross those bridge at Wickliffe.

[@vegassims7]

The New Madrid Fault earthquakes centuries ago, was a one off... its highly likely there will never be an earthquake of that magnitude ever, ever again.

[@deborahlynnxyz]

I've heard that sometime after April 7, 2024 there will be a massive earthquake, time will tell.

[@vegassims7]

@@deborahlynnxyz Now I am curious, when or who said this would happen on that exact date? You must divulge your source. =)

[@Trumpetjoe40]

While I’m sure the riots didn’t help, I think Cairo suffers from isolation. Nobody travels through here, the lifeblood of the town is gone. I heard it still does flood on occasion too. I don’t know how it wouldn’t, it’s a soup bowl surrounded by two rivers.

[@chuckinhouston9952]

Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded. Yogi Berra.

[@69eddieD]

I-57 was the death blow to Cairo.

[@thatrandomoshawott3427]

@@69eddieD The two bridges to the south of Cairo don't help, either. They allow Missourians and Kentuckians to completely bypass Cairo when going to each other's states (e. g. going from Paducah to Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston)

[@marypyles506]

I seen my grandmother's home still standing as the video was going

[@easygoing2479]

That southern tip of Illinois around the rivers always reminds me of the deep south. with the cotton fields across the river in Missouri bottomland, the whole place looks kind of "sleazy", especially on those hot summer afternoons in the high 90's and the humidity is about 9,000%. The kind of days where you walk by a house on a dusty road and see a mean dog sleeping under a shade tree; he awakens, looks at you, and just flops his head back down in the dirt. He's so hot he won't move a muscle.

[@datasecure5790]

The proper southern term is greasy not sleazy. Sleazy is what a hooker is

[@agricola]

Southern Illinois is where the south begins

[@QueenAlienRocker]

@@agricola grew up in SoIll and can confirm it is south south lol

[@jmayer40]

Cairo was different in the 70's. Big on tourism back then. The Magnolia Manor and the old places.... I wish someone could save the old buildings..

[@Greg-om2hb]

I have relatives from Southern Illinois. I remember the name being pronounced as “KAY-roh.” Not sure if any viewers read Huckleberry Finn. I copied the following from the inter web: Cairo, Illinois, which lies at the southern tip of the free states, is where Huck and Jim are headed with their raft. Huck explains the plan: “We would sell the raft and get on a steamboat and go way up the Ohio amongst the free States, and then be out of trouble.” Unfortunately, Huck and Jim pass by Cairo during a heavy fog, an event that marks a turning point in the story because once they are south of Cairo, Huck and Jim are drifting farther and farther into the slave states of the south. The farther south they go, the harder it will be for Jim to avoid recapture.

[@michaelburns8883]

Back in 1976, I bought my first leisure suit there in Cairo at a store going north out of town, I was so excited!

[@weez2stew]

Great video! I read about this town a year or so ago and was fascinated by it. It's cool to see how it looks. Reminds me of the small towns described in Stephen King novels

[@Red-pp4jr]

Now I understand why grandmother left , in 1965 I would not have understood being a six year old black girl , but I remember the house and my dad re-plastering the basement and Mr. Cornelius farming the land 😩❤️🙏🏾

[@billnelson392]

Chicago took this title from Cairo Illinois. The people in this southern Illinois town are decent people and i never had any issues with Anyone ....

[@thetruthandnothingbutthetr6484]

Ok klan

[@robertkelly2420]

Last time I drove through this area it was extremely foggy because of the rivers I couldn't see anything. I drove up Hwy 51 back in 1988.

[@marypyles506]

I was born in Carroll Illinois at St Mary's hospital I went back a couple years ago and it made me cry it's so sad because it used to be a really booming town someone need to really help it

[@Bill_Woo]

Great job, great music. Incredible description. Great video explaining how the drive setup. Very shrewd, very intelligent.

[@larrywilliams1372]

Near the end of your video you can see the historic library building on the right. It's on the main street through town. My wife and I visited there. It is a beautifully preserved building inside and out. Well worth visiting if you pass through town. The staff there were also very friendly. Shemwell's is also very good southern style barbeque. It's not fancy but is a "locally famous" place.

[@Sammydx1]

Absolutely love that you put the location of your tour. Just that alone puts you on top of all the others....

[@meateatinpatriot]

I drove through Cairo in December to take a path less travel on my way to Fort Leonard Wood Mo. It definitely left a big impression on me and now I watch every video about it. It’s a very sad story however there’s still a Ford dealership there !

[@mariebernier3076]

It's haunting, isn't it.

[@lawnmowerman4040]

Fort lost in the woods hookah!

[@zachperkins688]

Great video. Cairo has always intrigued me! But even as someone who came from a small economically depressed town, I don't think I could ever live in or anywhere near Cairo.

[@charlesandrews2360]

I live 50 miles from Cairo. Every little town between where I live and Cairo is the saddest little town in America. It's brutal out here.

[@mikekeeler6362]

I remember when people wanted to leave the big city and live in those small towns what happened

[@bluelava4282]

Thanks for your video taking the time…….. great work Chris Harden…… eye opener

[@mo_dontknow7215]

I’m from Mississippi and every year we go to visit family that is up in olney, Il and every time we pass through Cairo. It’s so sad because each year it seems to become more and more abandoned. It’s sad because you can tell the town has such a rich history behind it but sadly it’s more than likely just going to be completely desolate as time progresses

[@UweJMeyer]

Your pictures and your informations explain a lot why things in the USA are as they are.👍🇺🇸Greatings from Germany

[@mathiastb32]

Yeah. Germany has a great History of racial relations. People that live in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks. Matt

[@UweJMeyer]

@@mathiastb32 yeah, you are right, but we have learned our lection, you too? I think a lot of the US citizens want to go the hard way to loose their freedom and democracy. Good luck on this way.

[@mathiastb32]

@@UweJMeyer yes ,that was a little mean. dig,at your comment. I live in mississippi and have no right to criticize ,our ancestors were cruel to do what they did to the slaves. We have learned from our mistakes as well. My brother in law was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam war,and.only talks of how great the people are. So I wish you well,and forgive my occasionally showing my stupidity.😊 Matt

[@UweJMeyer]

@@mathiastb32 God morning Mat,don't be afraid and you have nothing to apologize. I think the mean Problem in the whole World is, that a lot of people follow leaders who explain the world in three sentences, and they have a guilty Party, on which they can show. It's so easy not to think by yourself.Have a great day and greatings from Germany

[@ebkesq72]

On Commercial Avenue, you can still see the streetcar tracks for the trolleys that used to run through the town.

[@crazycoyote1738]

In 2006 I purchase a house there on union street. It was an impulsive purchase on eBay, for about $4500 I didn’t know this town, no google maps, and no info on the internet like today. I’m an adventurous person, and thought maybe I can open a business there. Drove my Chevy suburban from NYC, and was shocked by the condition of the place. The only friendly soul who helped me find the right offices in town, connect to water electric and gas, was a honest, down to earth black gentleman by the name of Cornelius. And I am white guy. The rest of the town ppl were grumpy, suspicious, and distant. I ended up disconnecting the utilities, and going home after one month. I still have that house there, probably falling apart. didn’t visit the place since, and still paying taxes. That might help boost the economy a bit..:( Thanks for making that video.

[@ChrisHarden]

I remember stopping by an open diner on purpose while driving through back in 2012. Obviously as you can tell, I’m adventurous too. The staff at the diner asked me who I was and why I was there, and I told them that I was passing through and that I wanted to check out the town as it was along my way. My waitress gave me a nasty look and said “umm ok” and didn’t say anything else. Can’t remember the name of the diner and I don’t know if it’s still open anymore... it probably isn’t.

[@durandjohnson1321]

All I can say is WOW, I heard about how screwed up Cairo was when we existed (Lived) in East St. Louis Ill. which was not much better!... decided to pack up and move to Seattle,.. USA..

[@tysonsmartialarts]

Cornelius would’ve had your back. He would have told the locals to leave you alone. You then would have built a few more relationships after that. People are people. If you are a genuine person, you would have been alright

[@Steven22453]

I was driving back to Kentucky from Oklahoma City several years ago and late in the evening, I took a wrong turn an ended up in Cairo. I didn't know my way around and stopped at a market to ask for directions. The two ladies that helped seemed awfully suspicious as to why I was there. Once they gave me directions, I hightailed it out there. Something about that place is very cold and distant. It gave me the creeps.

[@daltonzinn2275]

I'll buy it 😂

[@bradleymcwilliams6348]

Biggest question is; How does the town still support a new car dealer?

[@joewildbur2450]

i was in Cairo today, actually there was mode going on in town than I have seen in years. 2 food trucks set up in town and looks like someone opened up a BBQ joint.

[@oceanlinerkid]

I dig your videos. Would you possibly be able to focus on the schools of each place you visit? I find them very interesting. THANKS 😊

[@jodypearce2510]

IMO, what is happening in Cairo will eventually happen to Illinois in total. It's a nightmarish state and a nightmare to live in. The La Salle County town that I was born in is faring way better than Cairo, but it will hit that town in due time. Sometimes I think that Illinois will become the 1st ever ghost state, EVER!😥😥😥

[@marionbauer5251]

O

[@Mr___f]

Doubtful but still sad. States like West Virginia and Missouri are so screwed in comparison. West Virginia is pretty much just good for its college and wilderness. The rest, including residents, have been left to rot. Illinois will always have Chicago, Champaign, and some of those nicer towns.

[@TheZombaslaya]

Honestly might, even Chicago’s becoming a ghost town. Drive up to Wisconsin it’s absolutely booming same with northwest Indiana. They just added a 4th lane on the interstate up to Milwaukee

[@jodypearce2510]

@@TheZombaslaya that is a fact. I've heard it said that Chicago is the next Detroit.

[@tonynelson6238]

@@Mr___f Champaign is a dump! Take away U of I and what makes it nice?

[@KitKatToeBeans]

When there isn’t even a Walmart you know the town is doomed. Very sad to see.

[@chaosdweller]

Lol ? ! ..Is that supposed to be funny? Lol?

[@josephrogers5337]

I drove through Cairo Ill. on hwy 51 and what a difference between my Memories of as child when we were traveling going through Cairo. what a shame.

[@finefeatheredfriend9240]

This is kind of nostalgic for me. I remember being stationed at Scott Air Force Base and going to Cairo part of the honor guard. I remember how small the town was and close to the water it is. Really cool vid 😎

[@chaosdweller]

Yeah been through there alot in the past same....

[@elysiaduke]

Metropolis, IL, a casino town on the Ohio River about 44 minutes away from Cairo, neighbors Paducah, Kentucky, a bigger town with plenty of jobs (or you can say suburban Paducah). It is not the town what many people would envision Superman, but there is a Superman statue downtown. It, too, has lost residents to high Illinois taxes. I should have mentioned that Illinois has a law on cigarette bootlegging (signs placed on borders), meaning they cannot bring cigarettes (more than 10 cartons) from a cheaper state to sell in Illinois.

[@garysprandel1817]

Illinois resident here and I've always heard it pronounced Kay row.

[@brendacluney2052]

You are correct! Mispronounced through video. I lived in Illinois all my life except 2 years and it is definitely mispronounced here

[@lindastrang6755]

So is it pronounced the same as Cairo Egypt? (Kai as in sky.. row)

[@garysprandel1817]

@@lindastrang6755 no there's a unique Illinois spin on it we have Marseilles in France it's mar-say but here it's mar-sales. Kai- row is proper for Egypt but Illinois it's kay-row

[@Gitn2it]

@@garysprandel1817 You are correct!

[@pamjerrell8299]

I drive through Cairo when going to Missouri, I keep my doors locked and drive as fast as possible, especially at night.

[@showmestatefinest5412]

Ain't nothing going to happen to u. Nothing happens there unless it's between people who know each other. U should be more afraid of the police pulling u over than to be afraid of the town or people

[@cdikkers30]

I spent a few hours in the town taking some pictures. The few locals I talked to were very nice and gave me some pointers on where to go. Anna, IL on the other hand practically ran me out of town...

[@TheAarikja]

Good idea...!

[@celestemiller31]

@@cdikkers30 that's why I'm scared to stop at these lil towns

[@jenf7309]

I feel this so hard. Just drove through and it gave me all the bad gut feelings.

[@albertowen1025]

Not to knock Illinois or any of their residents, I always thought Oblong in Crawford County was a little backward; I traveled there to meet an acquaintance in 2007, and that was the first time I had ever been in any type rural community since my aunt died in Alabama in 2003. Just a few tiny oil derricks that appeared operationable, a gas station, but didn't really see much else. Just across the way was Robinson, and they had a Wal-Mart and a Hershey's chocolate plant there from what I saw. So now seeing this about Cairo kind of put my perspective on Oblong by the wayside. Very sad indeed.

[@TheCoverageProject]

Seems like most of Illinois' media spotlight is cast on Chicagoland and maybe, just maybe, a few Central Illinois locations. So great work on bringing to light those overlooked areas of America! The culture of southern Illinois is really fascinating to me, acts sorta like one of those "transition regions" dividing the cultural northern and southern US.

[@heartmommyinpa]

When we lived in Missouri for 3 years, we visited everything we could, including Cairo. It has gone way downhill since 1999.

[@it_rocks]

You pronounced it correctly! My Dad used to have to drive down to Cairo every Friday as a probation officer and said the locals there always get frustrated when people pronounce it like "Kyro"

[@fireboigotti2647]

I've never heard anyone get frustrated when they mispronounced Cairo...that's just how we tell if you're from around here or not...

[@London_Thomas]

Wow, never knew the correct pronunciation....

[@terrycartwright3653]

@@fireboigotti2647 if its named after Cairo why not pronounce it so

[@fireboigotti2647]

@@terrycartwright3653 I have no idea....but the area is known as little Egypt....almost all the city and town are named after cities in Egypt

[@Meow_Deity]

That's some scary music for this video. Nice job by the way !

[@greggarbacz2566]

What I really like is your insightful analysis of the places you visit. ALL the places. Even the places where I've lived.

[@turkeybowlwinkle4440]

Back in 2015, due to a detour, I had to drive through Cairo late at night. What an eerie and surreal drive that was. Not a soul stirring and hardly a light on anywhere. Just what appeared to be abandoned buildings likely occupied by ghosts.

[@nancyhymes3740]

Back in the late 80’s, I went to a fairly prestigious college. A young girl from Cairo was given a Presidential scholarship (full ride). She was quite friendly and outgoing however, her I believe her sense of needing to feel like she belonging, part of the crowd was based of her lack of socialization skills learned back home. Many of us knew Cairo was not much of a town and lacked a lot of things that would prepare their children to survive in a much bigger city. Unfortunately, one night, many of the entitled frat boys/children took it upon themselves to “welcome her” to our campus. Now, to be honest, in short time it was found that she was “friendlier” than most…..BUT……that should NEVER of given these idiot frat boys the right to do what they did to her. So long story short, she was taken to the local hospital and then transferred to a bigger hospital. She was kept for a couple of days, the campus was buzzing with “what happened” as well as the local police. This incident broke her completely. She quietly left campus and returned for the for the grand jury hearing and then the trial. From that night, out of 36 frat boys, only one went to prison, the frat house was closed. After all of that, I left that college as I had no trust in this institution to protect me or the other women. I’ve often wondered whatever happened to her💔

[@ChrisHarden]

Wow, sad story.