Southern Illinois Last Hope for Prosperity: Carbondale and Marion, Illinois 4K

[@ChrisHarden]

Correction: At 4:46 I say that Carbondale is the County Seat of Jackson County. Murphysboro is actually the County Seat of Jackson County, not Carbondale. Thanks, @618Greenleaf 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!

[@debineagele4154]

i live in murphysboro

[@sporkstar1911]

this place is a black hole people move here or stop here and so many times they just end up staying for years

[@attemptedunkindness3632]

@@debineagele4154 Carbondale native... Should of brought up Murphysboro more frequently; anyone who lives here sort of considers the 3 towns a sort Triumvirate with Carbondale leading Transportation, Education, and Medicine, with Marion picking up a great deal of Macro-Economics, Logistics, (I'd be lying if I said Marion was good at infrastructure, they are not, but house several logistical hubs), but Murphysboro for Macro-Politics, History, and frankly a community Marion and Carbondale can look down on :P , in spite of their well maintained red-brickery (The bricks you guys got from places like Egyptian and Cairo still break my drill bits like no other). Bost family works out of there, and along with a majority of the surrounding farming community. They are important. TLDR: Marion, Carbondale, Murphysboro work very well together, but take one away, the other two suffer.

[@normanwee678]

I graduated from SIU in 1995. Time flies ...

[@gmitchell91]

For all of its problems, southern Illinois has MANY positives. I'm so proud to call southern Illinois my home, and I am determined to continue to do everything I can to make it a better place.

[@yamutha2004]

If it's not broke don't fix it

[@Holio88]

@@yamutha2004 oh it's broke alright lol

[@marksmith4892]

Southern Illinois has natural beauty, and economic desolation.

[@fernandobarron7187]

I'm not it's boring

[@aaronclover3906]

Beyond broke

[@ponygirl2203]

Just outside chicago, there's a place called illinois!!

[@IIOctaneII]

There’s no such thing as illinois. It’s just Chicago, the rest is just farmland and corn fields 💀

[@ProfessorMeeks]

@@IIOctaneII lol that's mean

[@shippingservice5139]

Marengo Illinois hemp farmers for Trump

[@shippingservice5139]

@@IIOctaneII yuck Chicago! Gangs and murders and rude people.

[@shippingservice5139]

@@ProfessorMeeks the rest of America hates Chicago area

[@gonefishing5434]

I lived in Marion when I was 8- 10 years old-1959-1961. Had a friend that lived across the street. Enin Norman. If you see this get in touch! I remember falling asleep in a movie theater in downtown Marion. The movie was the Magnificent Seven. They closed the theater with me curled up in a chair. When I did not show up home my parents called the cops. They got the manager to let them in and they found me sound asleep. I was so disappointed the next day when I found out I was in the theater and did not wake up. All I could think about was how much candy I could have eaten! I also remember Kennedy coming to the town square when he was running for president. MY brother and a friend were under the stage they built with the bunting all around. We jumped out when he was done speaking and tried to shake his hand--he got a laugh out of it.

[@GrumpyMeow-Meow]

Oh my gosh I went to school in Carbondale in 1978-1979. Great times.

[@KingSlimjeezy]

I moved to the area an anytime an someone mentions going there in the 70s they look off to the distance with a slight smile remembering it

[@nitsujneal]

Used to live in Carbondale on East Mill St from 2001 to 2008. Thank you for taking me back down memory lane.

[@js424u]

where do you live now? I did my undergrad it took me five years, i wish i would have stayed longer and done grad.

[@nitsujneal]

@@js424u I live in Seattle, Washington now.

[@js424u]

@@nitsujneal I love Seattle except for the people (area nature was mind blowing). No one talked to me when I was there it was weird.

[@nitsujneal]

@@js424u yeah lol people are pretty reserved here. They don’t call it the “Seattle freeze” for no reason lol. I don’t mind it though, because I’m pretty introverted myself. I feel like the Pacific Northwest (in general) is the most beautiful region, geographically, in the entire US.

[@clarekillman]

Thank you for coming to our beautiful city and making this video on our region. Carbondale is an intensely special place. We love it so much here. You filmed on a beautiful spring day!

[@richardlaszlo9079]

I agree; I lived one year in Carbondale in 1995-1996 and loved it. That was my first time in the USA. So laid back, so relaxing, friendly people, I just loved it there and would move there any time.

[@rebeccaabrams3079]

Currently living in Carbondale for college - I graduate in May and while we'll stay here for a few years to save up some money (very lucky to have found a stable position during my time here, with full time employment waiting for me) we do plan on moving in the next 5 years. Definitely not the place I want to call my forever home, but for my college years it's been a fun change from Chicago, where we're from.

[@ChrisHarden]

Good luck with your future opportunity! It took me several years out of college until I got my first full-time job in a location that I wanted. If/when you do move, it sounds like you'll always feel grateful for your time in Carbondale, which is a great attitude to have.

[@karlpiepenburg3157]

My daughter graduated from SIU two years ago

[@cronazs]

so is it a good idea to move from chicago to carbondale? im planning on going to college there and want to make sure im doing the right decision with the area im in

[@jessli369]

Why not for forever home?

[@anabenice4623]

I remember Halloween in carbondale. Wow now that was a party.

[@bruhyeet7006]

It sure was

[@mudgirl4x494]

Those parties were legendary!

[@mrrobot451]

They made us go home my first couple years at SIU. I got to see the tapes of the real crazy Halloween ongoing on the strip and what not, that was some insane stuff lol. Animals.

[@mitchalexander9217]

I grew up in Carterville. I left there and have only been back 3 or 4 times in the last 35 years. There are some things I miss but, there are things like unemployment and poverty that I don't miss at all.

[@ChrisHarden]

Don’t blame ya

[@mosim9691]

@@ChrisHarden You have such a GREAT voice!

[@mrrobot451]

Really cool trip down memory lane. I miss my time at SIU so much! Sad to see it going downhill like it is.

[@pl0xr0blux89]

I live in Anna, grew up in Cobden. (A small town near Anna.) I go to Carbondale and Marion very often. I think this is amazing to see that someone is making a video on our small place in illinois.

[@donc6781]

A lot of videos out there on Anna, IL

[@AF573]

I graduated from SIUC in 2000 and used to drive between Carterville and Carbondale campuses. SIUC is my second hometown. All my college memories are coming back to me. Thank you.

[@greghatfield2476]

Laurie Metcalf ...u only know her from Big Bang Theory and voice overs?? She was also on Roseanne from 1989 til 1996. U know that little top rated show on ABC? Roseanne's sister. Melissa McCarthy went to SIU also.

[@171TITO]

Rosanne was a classic show.

[@thorcrom1366]

Yep, left out Roseanne, where the show literally took place in BF Illinois.

[@candudaddy]

Born, raised in Marion, spent 20 years in commercial nuclear power and retired back here in Marion. Even with the taxes. One correction: Southern Illinois’ nickname Ame is “Egypt”, not “Little Egypt”. Little Egypt was an exotic dancer in the latter 1800’s. Southern Illinois got the nickname due to a famine in the upper Midwest in the early 1800’s that caused farmers to travel to Southern Illinois to buy seed for the next sowing season, just as the Bible’s story of Jacob’s Brothers traveled to Egypt to buy seed and found their brother Jacob there, now a prince. To this date you find many towns bearing the names of ancient cities including Cairo, Thebes, Karnak, Galatia, and others. We also have the ONLY town named Metropolis. And..... Dogwalk, Shakerag, and CreekNation. There is an apocryphal story that the first state bank, in Shawneetown, refused a loan to help build what would later become Chicago.

[@mgmchicago]

Hello Karl - Thanks for updating the Egypt and Shawneetown stories. My paternal grandparents and father were born in Karnak, I was born and raised in Metropolis, then lived in Carbondale for 12 years and eventually moved to Chicago where I still live. Your versions of those stories are the same ones I heard as a child.

[@cooper_shaw]

No its called little Egypt

[@IMomIt]

Thank you for this! We are looking to move and the southern Illinois region, specifically Carbondale, is on our list. I hope it hasn't changed too much since you've posted this video.

[@kevinkays7517]

Laurie Metcalf was born in Carbondale, but grew up in Edwardsville, IL

[@christinechildress5021]

And she was on Roseanne!!!!

[@paulbrower]

Liberal policies to keep giant cities afloat mean big spending and high taxes -- and those taxes squeeze rural folks who can't easily earn more income. California's Central Valley, Upstate New York, southern Illinois, and rural Virginia pay heavily for being in the same state with some urban behemoth.

[@stevenblack1903]

John Goodman and John Belushi graduated from SIU college. I've lived here the majority of my life and its always suffered from lack of jobs.

[@mr.slim6188]

John Belushi did not attend SIUC. That was his less talented less funny brother Jim

[@rracks]

Jim! Not John.

[@user-Luv-U2]

I enjoyed your video! I'm an alumni of SIU and loved Southern IL. living. Hated to leave, lol. I even went to the St. Louis Zoo one afternoon. I subbed to your channel. Thanks! 😊👍

[@scotlight1895]

I lived in Carbondale for 5 years in the late 90's - the best times of my life! I haven't been back in at least 15 years. Thanks for this video. It brought back lots of memories and emotions! There is something about the energy of that area that is so amazing and magical (and people who are from there don't even notice it). I wish you had spent more time in Carbondale as there is lots more to see, like the Murdale side of town. I can tell that quite a bit has changed since I was there last, but also a lot looks the same. I had also heard that Marion had grown and built up a lot since I lived there and I can tell from this video that it has. My friends down there say that there are a lot more things to see and do in Marion.

[@jesamani75]

Bob Odenkirk from Better Call Saul went to SIU also.

[@alexivack3453]

Murphysboro, NOT Carbondale, is the county seat of Jackson County, Illinois. How’s that for “amazing insight”?

[@ChrisHarden]

That's pretty amazing. Obviously when I made this video I didn't catch that.

[@platinumpagoda3079]

Is this meant to sound as snooty as it came off?😂

[@mosim9691]

Your voice is AMAZING! Thanks for tips on adjusting video quality- never knew about this.

[@ChrisHarden]

Why thank you 😊

[@billguill1859]

Lived in So IL for 4.5 years in the late 80s-early 90s. Route 13 looks a little different these days..... Thanks for the roll down the highway!

[@Mommyofcurlies]

Southern Illinois has so much to offer. Crab orchard, fern clyffe and the cache river wetlands are all so beautiful. I bought a house in Marion Illinois last year. Marion is growing as it has been...but with all these taxes it won't be long before the people who have money here, take off out of Illinois...myself included. People can't afford this!! Thankful I have a RN license that will get me a job wherever I go!

[@SliceySlicer]

It has much to offer if you're white. Otherwise, you're out of luck 😔

[@mitchwinder1204]

EDIT: Just found your video on IL coal. Thank you. No mention of Illinois’ vanished coal industry. To me it’s the single-largest reason of “what happened” to southern IL. My family is from just about every small town between Mt. Vernon and the Ohio River. As a little kid spending summers down there from ‘63 until about ‘75, rural poverty wasn’t a huge ordeal. There was a fair amount of money represented by new pickup trucks, and especially fancy new bass boats on Rend Lake. By the time the Congress got done having its way with high-sulphur coal in the early 1980s the damage had already been done. The layoffs became permanent, and the smaller communities began to die. That death would be carried into the larger communities, and by 1990 it was lights-out for most everything down there. But I will say as a kid growing up down there in the early and mid ‘70s, it was a magical place to be.

[@craignovy2090]

Yet another beautiful video with great narration that gives a vivid look and feel of a region in a short period of time. The place overall looks hopeful and I hope the State of Illinois really wakes up and does something meaningful about taxes before it is too late! Great job on your insights and artistic approach.

[@bobmitchell1086]

There was a guy named Jim Hart, who played QB for the St. Louis Cardinals football team from 1966-1983. He is not in the Hall of Fame, but did have a lengthy career and played for SIU in college.

[@leojuarez4690]

Awesome classy player

[@WallAirts]

He should be in HOF.

[@mindybouvier5416]

Wow. I’m in the military, and joined to get out of southern Illinois. I’m really missing home, so I’m watching all these videos about southern Illinois. I’ve not been home in nine months now. I started tearing up when you were on 13, but tears were rolling down my face as soon as you turned on 37. Into the town near the square.

[@ChrisHarden]

Thanks for your service, and I’m glad that you were able to find this video!

[@BeeHatGuy]

I joined the military to leave Southern Illinois, but I moved back because of family. Don't do it!

[@timemmerson4423]

Yep, grew up here. Went in the service in 1970 only to return here. Beautiful area to call home. Thanks for your service.

[@williamcurrie4499]

Don't go back big man. I'm from Makanda Illinois just south of Carbondale. I did the exact same thing went into the Marine corps back in the early 2000s to get out of southern Illinois and came back as soon as I got out regretted every bit of it things are just a lot harder. moved down to Georgia got a better opportunity for my family a lot more going on down here. Illinois is just corruptly run man do not go back if you haven't done so already

[@VWGTI2013]

Thank you for your service, amigo.

[@pinksummer4094]

Born and raised in Carbondale. Left when I started grad school. All my family is there, Marion and Hburg. Used to visit 2-4x a year despite living 1000 miles away, up until my dad passed away there in 2021. It just has not been the same for me. Yes, a lot, A LOT, has changed but I had the best childhood there in the 80s and 90s. Thanks, mom and dad. I rarely go back, maybe once a year, mom is now where I am. I will always love Carbondale. It will always be home🩷.

[@jamesheuer5139]

Transfer to C’Dale in the summer of ‘73 from Wisconsin! Crashed on the sofa at the Men’s Gymnastics House for about a week, till I got a job and housing on the SIU Dairy Research Farm, milking cows before class! Continued to milk cows, but moved into a 4 bedroom house on Hester St, $35/month for a room! Shared a large room with a buddy, $17/month! Every couple months, I received 1 kilo. Packages in the mail from Wisconsin! The package cost me $160 wholesale, which I divided up into 30 1 ounce baggies, that I retailed for $15. 😂. Graduated on 8/8/75 (one year to the day after Nixon resigned), with a Degree in Animal Science! The spring semester tuition and fees were $299.75. 👍💥🥇

[@Blackwaterwillow]

Grew up in Sparta. It’s a very serene part of the country. Have good memories growing up there. But what a depressing place southern Illinois is. Don’t miss it and will never go back. SMH.

[@Slammy555]

Williamson County was like the Chicago of Southern Illinois during prohibition. Make sure to leave a like for that amazing insight.

[@bondoly66]

I just subscribed. Great channel. Entertaining and insightful all at the same time.

[@ChrisHarden]

Thanks, and welcome!

[@QueenDivineLove]

Moved from Carbondale in 2009, I was born there, and never heard of her. Nice to see different perspectives as the Eastside of Carbondale a whole different story. I was raised in the projects, Lake Heights to be exact. Troy Hudson came from there and he is a famous basketball player. We never seen him without a basketball growing up. Crazy how different ppl lives are from the same small city.

[@shellygriffet89]

I have traveled this area and sold advertising for high school athletic events involving most of the town's you mention. There is a lot of poverty but people there still manage amazingly with what they have to work with.

[@tvz857]

I went to SIU from 1987 to 1993. I believe the student body at that time was around 20 or 30K which doubled the population of Carbondale. I also remember that SIU had a bad reputation for being a party school and ranked 17th in 1986 - 1987 as a party school by playboy magazine. I also remember it got so bad (especially around Halloween), that the University added a halloween break to its schedule so the student body would not be in town. One more thing I remember was the basketball team was pretty good, and the football team sucked. I brought the wife and kids with me about 4 or 5 years ago to show them where I went to school. A lot has changed! I barely recognized the place. The good ole days!

[@SpringIsBACK]

Eh? C'Dale population was over 27k throughout the early '90's, probably around 26,800 in 1987. Granted that included some grad students, I believe. It's big decline (-17%) came after 2019 (with another smaller decline around 2000.) Mostly due to the all too common poor gov't, as Marion has done pretty well and Cape Girardeau VERY well (Cape esp. in incomes vs. living costs.) (We'll see about Marion - they lost their somewhat controversial but very effective Mayor to old age, a few years ago.)

[@darkduude]

I was living in Salem during the 60s thru 80s. I had many relatives in Carbondale plus friends in college there also. Saturdays during football season was magical. Driving down the main drag people were walking around, you could hear the band playing at the stadium. The weather was perfect. Great memories.

[@jameshazen1679]

Went to VTI near Carterville for fall of 1959 to spring of 1961 in auto tech. Housing was WW2 barracks made into 2 person rooms. Fall, Canada geese would be all over the place .Many years later my son and daughter both went to SIU. Then much later again my granddaughter went there too. Had some good times there!

[@emu5088]

Visited Carbondale for the 2017 eclipse (via Amtrak from Chicago) and was pleasantly surprised and liked it, besides it being a complete inferno when we were there. 90s and humid. I can see why people walk slowly in the south! The city seemed to be making great improvements. Decently walkable. It seemed like they could do with more lodging, though total solar eclipses which bring massive influxes of people wont happen too often besides 2017 and 2024 ;) The city is well-serviced by Amtrak, the southernmost stop of its trains Illini and Saluki. The city of Carbondale recently got funding for a wonderful new station (look it up, don't think YT will let me post links).

[@cronazs]

is it worth living or going there? planning to go to college there and want to make sure its a nice area to be at

[@emu5088]

@@cronazs I think so! Large school and plenty of activities in the area. I think you would have a great college experience there.

[@cronazs]

@@emu5088 if you don't mind me asking, what are some activities on the area I can do?

[@emu5088]

@souraax Shawnee National Forest, Garden of the Gods, Giant City State Park are all super close. Also seems like there's decent nightlife there. Plus, it's a huge university, so I'm sure they will have lots of events for you.

[@cronazs]

@@emu5088 ohokok appreciate it, also js to make sure, is carbondale more like a small town or what, my bad for the questions I don't really go to different areas of the state so this is pretty new to me, just want to make sure I'm aware of stuff before so it's a bit more easier for me to make decisions and not have to look a lot into it and worry much

[@mgmchicago]

I attended college at SIU in Carbondale from 1973-1977, and continued to live there after I graduated until 1985, when I moved to Chicago. I tried to visit Carbondale a couple of times a year after I moved away, but it eventually became very difficult to visit via public transportation (Amtrak + Greyhound.) After 9/11 the luggage storage lock-boxes at the Amtrak station were removed, so there was nowhere to store your luggage if you wanted to make a day trip via train. Greyhound changed their direct route from Chicago to Carbondale - and detoured through East St. Louis, which added a challenging bus change and an additional hour to the trip. The hotels/motels that were (at one time) within walking distance from the Amtrak station either closed or deteriorated to the point where you would not want to stay in them. Would have loved to continue visiting (and spending $$ at hotels, restaurants and bars) - but the tourism services simply became too unfriendly.

[@charlesandrews2360]

I moved here from Chicago 4 years ago. Is a brand new hotel right across the street from the Amtrak station. I've been taking the train back and forth to Chicago to visit family and it's been awesome. Currently though oh, many of the businesses in Carbondale have closed down. That was happening before the pandemic. At this time the only reason to come to Carbondale would be like a three-day weekend of golfing or hiking and doing wineries in the area. There's virtually no nightlife here. The music entertainment scene is pretty dismal. But I definitely see potential here.

[@mgmchicago]

@@charlesandrews2360 Hey Charles - Thanks for the reply! Did a bit of online research after my post and - you are correct! - there is now a hotel on IL Ave. Stan Hoye owned the Holiday Inn in the 70s/80s and tried to build a hotel + convention center on that same site, but for whatever reason the city did not approve, so he got pissed off and left town. I worked in many of the hotels/restaurants/clubs in Carbondale during my time there (1973-1985) and had a swinging time. There were so many bars in C'dale - many with stages/concerts (Bonaparte's Retreat, Merlins, The Club, Hangar 9, Booby's outdoor, etc.) - but the city began actively shutting them down in the 80s. Both the Arena and Shryock hosted rock concerts in the 70s/80s. I saw Boston, The Romantics, Warren Zevon, The Psychedelic Furs, and others at Shryock - you could even smoke cigs and/or weed inside! And, yes, Giant City, Ferne Clyffe, Garden of the Gods and the many lakes are great fun in the summer (some of the lakes in the 70s were "clothing optional.") Might try to go back down this summer if the clubs re-open - I think I may still have some (old timer) club friends around there! All the best to you!

[@charlesandrews2360]

@@mgmchicago I'm a little younger than you but a lot of my friends also went to Carbondale during the late 70s. I never went to a Halloween in Carbondale but it had a mythical reputation. Both my kids came to school here but by the time they got here in 2008 they had shut down Halloween completely. It was ridiculous how they tried to shut down the parties by not allowing alcohol sales the weekend before and after Halloween or something like that crazy. I became disabled and move down here to recover from surgery. I really don't know too many of the people but I love the idea of Carbondale as small town with a city nightlife. I've decided to make this place my home and have been looking to turn Carbondale into a getaway weekend place. We have the outdoor recreational for spring summer and fall. There is an active Underground music scene in Carbondale that I have heard of but have no direct knowledge about it. It's a great Community because the University provides diversity. Thing about Carbondale is we are within 50 miles of 3 states that do not allow recreational marijuana. We're building a brand new Transportation Center. And the school just got a huge Grant to update its Visual Arts Communications whatever. It's a conservative area but the people I've met are friendly and pleasant. I think Carbondale has a bright future ahead. once they figure out how to get college kids to come back to Carbondale that will be a big step.

[@mgmchicago]

@@charlesandrews2360 Haha - yeah, Halloween on the strip in the 70s was an adventure. Unfortunately, there were too many broken windows/street fires/overdoses for it to continue! My freshman year was the height of "streakers" and for a couple of weeks in the spring of 1974 it was no big deal to see dozens of naked people roaming the campus, dorms and streets! Best of luck with your recovery and plans for weekend getaways. The natural area around C'dale is truly magnificent. Regarding the music scene, blues bands were a popular form of entertainment in the 70s. Shawn Colvin got her start there performing in "The Club" on IL Ave.

[@markbayer1683]

You mention that Marion and Carbondale are essentially "the same town," - but each of them has a distinguishing factor that drives their culture and economic activity in very different ways. Carbondale has SIU-C, which makes Carbondale fairly dependent on state spending and on the students for its economic well-being. There are clearly cultural/political effects from having a University population in town as well. Marion has Interstate 57, and that has differentiated the culture and the business climate in Marion from that of Carbondale. Marion has the traffic and transportation advantages of the interstate, and that has spurred local businesses in an entrepreneurial direction that is not as evident in Carbondale, with its dependency on SIU-C. If you go up north a couple hours on I-57 to Mattoon and Charleston (home of EIU), you'll see a similar effect w/r/t culture and business attitudes. Mattoon has the interstate, and Charleston has the university.

[@apimpnamedslickback6757]

This is 100% accurate.

[@emu5088]

You mention transportation but no mention that Carbondale has an Amtrak station, and Marion doesn't. And having an great university which makes it "depend on the state" is a very interesting way of saying that there's more investment in education, research, and university spinoff companies in area. Government=bad is such an idiotic way to look at the world.

[@markbayer1683]

@@emu5088 How did you get "government = bad" from my post? That is a gross misrepresentation. I was merely pointing out the factors that make Marion and Carbondale quite different, both economically and culturally. My family has lived in the Marion/Carbondale RT13 corridor for decades, and most of them still do. I lived in Carbondale for almost 10 years. And w/r/t transportation, I meant transportation for not only personal travel but also for business, i.e., moving freight. I-57, and the interstate system in general, is arguably more attractive for most businesses compared to the railroad that cuts through Carbondale when it comes to moving freight. Thus - the attractiveness of Marion for businesses that need to send and receive commercial goods.

[@clarekillman]

We are sister cities to a large degree and our symbiotic relationship has so much opportunity to teach each other some great ways to live alongside each other. I live in Carbondale and love Marion and think we could take a page out of their book. If we work together, we can create a better southern Illinois for people to live, work, and play in ❤️

[@squelchking4144]

I've lived in both, but am currently residing in Murphysboro. I hated and still hate Marion, although marion is a much more red town which is about the only upside of it. No one in that town can drive worth a damn lol

[@danyelch730]

Unless something changed, since I left SIU in 1975, Murphysboro is the County Seat of Jackson Co. Not C'dale!

[@emu5088]

Another famous resident (though not from Carbondale) was Buckminster Fuller, who was a pioneering figure in architecture and design, which had ripple effects in cartography and molecular structure, and tons of other fields of study. Huge guy in my area of interests. He spent some time in Carbondale and even has a quirky house there.

[@ChrisHarden]

Nice!

[@buckaroobonsaibuddy7]

Fuller was a professor at SIU for a while and built and lived in a dome home that is still standing in Carbondale

[@j.son1978]

The Bucky Dome.

[@johnm3152]

A nice stop on Spaceship Earth

[@jamesheuer5139]

In 1974, I lived 3 blocks east of Bucky’s Dome! I also took some elective class in Art, Ceramics, Pottery! Spent some time watching Professor Nicholas Vergetti create “Here”.

[@BEVERLY-iq8ik]

I enjoyed seeing my HOME-CITY on U-TUBE!!! THAN-YOU

[@bpsnallwell4204]

I miss my SIU days 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@mrrobot451]

you and me both

[@michaelgwfrogwelge]

HOW DID YOU MISS THIS??? While Carbondale's prime economic mover is SIU Carbondale, Marion's is the U.S. Government, specifically the Department of Veteran's Affairs' Marion VA Medical Center and the Bureau of Prisons of the Department of Justice 's U.S. Penitentiary Marion.

[@bg147]

Marion also has Toyota Aisin.

[@TheGreenGrower618]

Also home to Pepsi mid-america, crisp container plant (makes bottles and cans) and a new FedEx distribution center.

[@jeromeschmidt5506]

Went to SIU in the 1968-71. In those days C'dale for the most part was a pedestrian community centered around a small downtown with small businesses. The railroad provided public transportation and provided a link between major urban area of Chicago. In those days SIU was a blue collar student body, and considered in those days politically and culturally progressive. Like many communities the greater Little Egypt area is/was very conservative. Little Egypt is a lot like Appalachia, in that blessed with natural beauty, but difficult to sustain economic viability to sustain healthy community. From this video I would not recognize the campus or downtown Carbondale. I did live for a year in Creal Springs, back in the day of "back to the land". Could not make it work-headed south and never came back. I was born in western Chicago land , it is sad to see a once great state going down the tubes. Political problems in managing a state with principally three different economic/ cultural environments. Little Egypt is more like Appalachia. Central Illinois has a broader base of industries and agriculture with good educational institutions. Chicago land, well what can you say... the best of times to the worst of times. Peace, out.

[@mgmchicago]

Hello Jerome - So you experienced the riots and the burning of Old Main in 1969? HB Koplowitz wrote for the Daily Egyptian at that time, I have corresponded via email with him a few times. He wrote a book "Carbondale After Dark" which is a nice snapshot of that time period. I lived in Carbondale from 1973-1985 - originally came to go to college, then stayed (too long) for the party. But - oh my - the parties were magnificent! I also had acquaintances that lived "back to the land" during my time there (in Makanda, Cobden, Cambria, etc.) and some of the 3-day acid/pig roast/fire-walking/ooo, ooo, witchy-woman parties out in the country were remarkable:-)

[@mwatts-riley2688]

J- I went to Eastern- IT'S exactly the same with Charleston and Mattoon. Exactly. 😥 It's terrible. Sad. I now an 63 and live in Elgin. M. Illinois.

[@williamvasilion3406]

Do you Spudnuts Donuts?

[@stevenbcarter5811]

Kills me how dead it is now as a GenX Saluki...but I really appreciate seeing video of the place in recent times...sucks nobody out and about, but brings back great memories...thanks!

[@-_-chase5536]

Currently in a hotel in Marion. It seems like a nice little town, it’s filled with resteraunts. But doesn’t seem really like anything else lol. I’ve met quite a few good people though, seems like a nice little place!🙃

[@bruhyeet7006]

Can’t remember what it’s called but best hotel there is behind don sol the Mexican place

[@catt1003]

Marion has a couple factories, the penitentiary and quite a few warehouses. Many people around So. IL live in the super cheap towns but drive to Marion for work.

[@FruityPebbles-420]

You are kind of right. I realized this when I moved.

[@anabenice4623]

I'm going to retire to Carbondale. We have a home there. I just shared to Facebook.

[@jonreiser2206]

It’s a pretty interesting area. It’s like the best of both rural and urban all in one. I’ve been considering a move for quite some time. I’ve been looking at southern Illinois and southern Indiana mostly. I like the country settings, but my business is teaching music privately. a larger population is better than a smaller one obviously. I could see finding a home in a centralized area.

[@ChrisHarden]

Another area that comes to mind given your criteria is the New Albany, Clarksville and Jeffersonville area. You could easily live in a country setting and be only 10 minutes away from all kinds of amenities and a population for your business.

[@rosalindgibbs2980]

I looked this sight up again cause I wanted my loving family especially my Mother to know about you they live in southern,lL where I was born Jackson Co. they didn't believe me but yes! you've traveled in all the small towns near Carbondale, IL your videos maded me feel so good plus the SIU campus my home town I hope maybe I could get a star for enjoying watching the videos it's good that someone thought of this and I was even surprise knowing that this man travel to where I stay right now Spfld.IL. my Mother felt good about that the learning of the towns I once travel to Hey!

[@cskiles318]

Carbondale still in decline while marion continues to grow . Carbondale has lost their mall. I live 6 miles from Marion. We love our area. Not much on shopping. ❤

[@SpringIsBACK]

University Mall still has 23 active tenants. The Marion Mall really is toast (may become something else). At present, Marion is treading water, C'Dale sinking but with some signs of levelling out. By comparison, Paducah is healthy and Cape Girardeau is doing very well.

[@FruityPebbles-420]

Does Marion still have its mall? Last time I checked, which was 8 years ago, it was in pretty bad shape.

[@jackiemae8673]

This is such an amazing channel

[@BeautifulAngelBlossom]

i live in Carbondale this town is crazy there been up tick in gun violence and lot people seem to be moving

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

Southern Illinois is very pretty, crappy economy though...

[@mr.slim6188]

Thats because of all the Chicago big wigs

[@yohannah5]

I know. 😥

[@jamesrath7509]

Well you could head over to paducah

[@scottmonroe1802]

My favorite place was Lake Kincaid when I lived there...

[@teresaconiglio3214]

My hubby loved fishing and we loved taking the bass boat out on lake Kinkaid. Rented a pontoon boat just this past summer with a couple of daughters and their families who have never been out on lake Kinkaid with the exception of the daughters. We spent a lot of time there when the girls were younger.

[@williamodaniel3862]

Couldn’t beat the spillway on a hot day, not like that now though….

[@3232-s4r]

Grew up in LA CA went to hllwd high, just bought me 10 acres in chilicothe Illinois.! Luv the 4 seasons.

[@lancehyde7051]

You took the same route I would take to John A Logan college. Such nostalgia. Thanks for sharing!

[@jerrykinnin7941]

Grew up in western ky. Southern Illinois is coal country and has a large cude oil basin called The Illinois Basin. covering Southern ILL. Southwestern IN. and Western KY. They had some "spar" mines down round Gloconda and Elizabethtown. But that went out in the 50s. Chicago is whats wrong with Southern Ill.

[@jeffereyhopkins750]

I totally agree. Chicago sucks all the money from the rest of the state and we get the crumbs.

[@zaccheaus3853]

Look Im here in Central IL and lets be real, for all the faults of Chicago they provide more money and subsidies for the rest of the state than what they take. Chicago isn't whats wrong with Southern IL, or for Central IL, its the god damn bosses that make us point fingers at each other. Its like when Mitsubishi left Bloomington. That wasnt Chicago's fault, they got tired of the union actually fighting for us.

[@RussellConwell12]

marion is where my grandma and grandpa live. I live about 20 miles north of Marion in Benton Illinois

[@rosalindgibbs2980]

I remember when this man was touring Illinois and enjoyed watching his videos he's going to talk about my hometown Carbondale,IL.

[@mooaaron]

I really dig your videos... I would love to do drive around videos for West and North west Texas the same way.... Great content... Love learning about the historical southern Illinois Wisconsin... Michigan and other parts of the Midwest

[@ChrisHarden]

Thank you! I'm glad that you enjoy them.

[@SRSOS1]

It was French farmers from Northern Illinois, who came here to escape the bitter cold of the North, who first started calling it Little Egypt. Also, the NDN Mounds I think, had a lot to do with the naming of the place. Jim Hart, who played QB for the St Louis Football Cardinals was also an alumni of SIU-C.

[@BillBuck1972]

Jim Hart, a former quarterback for the St. Louis Cardinals Football Team also went to SIU. Hart played in the NFL from 1966 thru 1984

[@duaneplumlee491]

Carbondale isn't the county seat. County seat is in Murphysboro Il

[@trisha9697]

Thanks for the video. Hope to watch more

[@rosalindgibbs2980]

Carbondale has grown everytime I go home to visit I get lost cause the town has grown if you could see the smile on my face memories.

[@cronazs]

so it is a nice place to be at? im not good at being to sure which area is safe and all that, so if you can help me out ill be more than thankful

[@poledog2414]

Thanks. Miss soil so much

[@carlhenley5819]

Spent four happy years in Carbondale in the late 70s got a world class. Education ended up with a professional degree from Northwestern recently saw the eclipse on April 8 one of the great days of my life it was great to be back on campus

[@apimpnamedslickback6757]

Originally from here and moved away in 09-10ish, and came back for 8 months in 14. Haven't seen the place since then, but am moving back this week and am excited to do so. This area has some very real issues, but is definitely a special place. I've lived on both coasts and all through the middle, and once I saw it all, this is still my favorite.

[@claudiadesoto2378]

I lived in DeQuin , I’ll out by the city lake . Was so beautiful, friendly town .

[@larryleek7141]

My home country. I enjoyed the tour, haven't been back there in many years. Murphysboro is the county seat of Jackson County, not Carbondale.

[@FruityPebbles-420]

Marion doesn't look like it changed much since I moved away. You even went through my old neighborhood that I lived in from age 8-14 at Virginia and Allen St.

[@bwallace5945]

If you want to talk about Tornados in So. IL you have to bring up The Great Tri-State Tornado of 1925 the worst in American History. It started in MO jumped the River and tore across Southern IL virtually destroying the town of Murphysboro IL before dying out in IN. The total death toll in all 3 States was 695 people. By the way I went to SIU in the 1980's and it was the most fun I have ever had in my entire life but it is not the same now.

[@teresaconiglio3214]

Worked for a woman who survived the 25 tornado and was very interesting to listen to her tell of it. She also would have television stations come to her house and interview her. Once while I was working 😊

[@joedevitto6113]

Does anyone on here now live in Marion ? was wondering is it pretty safe , and any areas to stay away from when buying a house and , what kind of stores are close by . Walmart , Home Depot , Furniture places, Lowes , Best Buy Etc ? Thanks

[@underground9260]

Yes, Marion is a safe city. Carterville and herrin are also good cities as well. They got a Home Depot Walmart, Home Depot is in Carbondale. And the nearest Best Buy are in Cape girardeau and Paducah. Which is about 50 miles away from Marion

[@susanpennock4195]

I've lived in Southern Illinois for 53 years, I grew up in Carterville, it is not a suburb of Carbondale or Marion.

[@kepperMN]

Most of people currently residing in Carterville work and shop in either Carbondale or Marion. Sounds very suburban to me. Former resident of Herrin myself

[@bentnickel7487]

You touched on two of the lifeblood resources that predict a community's continuation, colleges and hospitals. Dropping enrollments and reduced services spell death to a city.

[@SpringIsBACK]

Well, the right policies COULD develop some industry, but, Fed and State policies kinda kill that...

[@DAG655]

Gayle Sayers, Chicago Bears running back, youngest player voted into hall of fame, and former SIU athletic director.

[@christinechildress5021]

I saw him walking on campus when I was finishing my degree at SIU!

[@jacobattig9981]

Dude just didn't mention the other colleges in the area, he even passed JALC without mentioning it.

[@mzahmad75]

I hope Carbondale will progress n prosper. I studied here in 1981-85.

[@joeyshofner639]

When I here about Williamson County all I can think of is it's violent past. The Massacre in 1922, The blood feud in the 1870s, the clan wars and Gang wars all in the 1920s.

[@hermanfurlong6752]

Hell they were just following Chicago’s lead!

[@ced9973]

The area was nicknamed "Bloody Williamson" The Charlie Burger Gang was in that area back in the 20s. Most people don't know that history of Williamson County. Modern society is more interested in Marion Federal Penitentiary. It basically replaced Alcatraz.

[@mr.slim6188]

Wow your really really REALLY old. I'm sure you can remember anything

[@oldator60]

@@ced9973 I have the book. I was born in Marion and left in 1954, so a lot of that bad stuff was still fresh on everyone's mind.

[@rosalindgibbs2980]

Goodmorning, to all my family in carbondale.

[@annettehousley8952]

I wish you could go a little slower! Get dizzy going so fast, but I've also been to this area and wanted to take it in.

[@ChrisHarden]

Slow down the playback speed on KZbin if that's the viewing experience that you want... Most people appreciate that it's not an hour long, which is how long this video would be if I didn't speed it up.

[@ced9973]

Annette Housley it would've been nice if he could've showed you what Holland St looks like now where the "old homestead" was. . Also I was surprised he didn't mention the house on Market St that's on the Historical Register as Abraham Lincoln's home!! 🤔 Mom would be tickled pink to ride you all over town and give you a REAL TOUR. LOVE YOU CUZ 😘

[@cskiles318]

We have lost so many stores since this video. I live i Johnston city. 6!miles north of marion on interstate. Where you will see the biggest flag and a unique water tower that says the hill. Equals boardwalk in marion

[@KathyConaway]

My daddy was born and raised in Johnston city

[@cskiles318]

@@KathyConaway awe that’s great to meet new ppl from here. I def need do a new 1 now.

[@corysimmons455]

Former nba player troy hudson is from carbondale il you forgot to mention that

[@gregorypierson4536]

St. Louis Cardinals QB Jim Hart attended there as well.

[@oldator60]

I was born one mile North of Marion, what was then called Dogwalk. Name was changed to Cedar Grove later.

[@wesawebi]

NBA star Walt Frazier played there when I was a student there in mid ‘60’s! Old fart here, then it was considered to be #1 party school! Pop was in the 20,000 plus range. Great times then.

[@dennislanthrum4232]

When you were talking about SIU notable athletes, you left out NFL St. Louis Cardinals QB, Jim Hart, who I believe also was AD at SIU for a time.

[@kevinblades4421]

You didn't show the baseball stadium in Marion

[@dr.victorfrankenschtein7053]

Marion is like Kentucky, Carbondale is like Chicago, they are in no way the same city. Not even close.

[@ced9973]

Born and raised in Marion and you are absolutely correct! 💯😆 When I was growing up in the 70s and 80s people from Marion proper avoided going to Carbondale like the plague! I attended SIU and John A Logan. I did an internship at The Kneckers Bldg at SIU isolating DNA and performing plasma preps from 91-93.

[@FruityPebbles-420]

@@ced9973 Lived in Marion from age 8-32, and Carbondale is where most of my friends and I went if I wanted something to do.

[@underground9260]

Love this part of Illinois. Like giant city state park, garden of the gods/Shawnee national forest and other outdoor adventures. Even tho this area is poor, being from Mississippi, I’ve seen much worst. And I do plan on moving around the Marion/Carbondale Area next year. Taxes on groceries are lower that what Mississippi taxes and the sales tax is the same. Only thing I’m concern is about car registration fees. A few months back, I renew my license plate on my 2018 Sentra, and it cost me $437. Does anyone know how much it cost to register a car there? Is it around that price, cheaper or more!?

[@stephenkammerling9479]

I think car registration in IL is around $150 a year. It was raised a couple years ago from about $100(thanks Gov. Pritzker!). I pay $178, but $28 of that is because I have Chicago Cubs specialty plates. $437 sounds awfully high, considering it's Mississippi. IL registration is at least the same for all age and models of cars. I think many other states base it on value of car much like property taxes. Your $437, however, is probably nothing compared to Northeast or California.

[@stephenkammerling9479]

Many or most Chicago area communites hit you with a local tax in addition to registration(sticker in windshield). In suburbs it ranges from 15-$20 a year. In Chicago, at least $100, probably a lot more, maybe close to $200. That tax doesn't seem to exist in rest of IL.

[@underground9260]

@@stephenkammerling9479 new car tags are outrageous. It all depends on what year and your MSRP is. A car that’s 15 years old, it’s a whole lot cheaper. But cars that are under 10 years old, are pretty high. Thank you for the comment

[@stephenkammerling9479]

@@underground9260 unless there's been a very recent change in the law, car registrations are flat rates in IL. All years and models of car pay the same. I've had old and new cars simultaneously, and registration fees didn't change. I know that's not true in many other states.

[@stephenkammerling9479]

I'm don't know much about transferring registration from out of state, so you may have dealt with things I'm unaware of.

[@mentalswill]

Lionel Antoine - Chicago Bears, Ivory Crockett - World Record holder 100 yard dash, Buckminster Fuller - amazing man associated with SIU

[@stephenfletcher1579]

Don't forget Steve Finley, baseball M L B, and Walt Frazier, outstanding guard for the Knicks.

[@wvtaco4379]

Jim Hart - QB of the St Louis Cardinals and Washington Redskins also went to SIU.

[@randysprecher1421]

I have many relatives that live or who have built that area in the distant past. I had relatives that worked in the mines that were located just north of the area. Even my gg-grandfather was murdered in Williamson County, 1918.

[@SargentandGreenLeaf]

Whats the play here ? I need to take advantage of big time money in near chicago, and low cost in marion, so whats my play? I currently live south of Chicago, and have property in vienna, what do i do in the mean time of loving up north, to take advantage of the low costs of down south, do i buy property now and build it up, or just wait til i retire and move down? I want to make a town out of an old town called Tunnel hill, how do i get rich investors to move down also?

[@adambrady9989]

University of Southern Illinois ? Southern Illinois University/Carbondale

[@bleujean357]

Lol Carbondale and Marion are not "basically the same city." Culturally, they are quite different as well as politically. Carbondale has the best restaurants. Marion has a really nice theater with a lot of great acts coming thru.