A unique Mississippi River steamboat town, Alton became the birth place of such national companies as Owens Glass, Olin, Winchester, Olin Brass, and Laclede Steel. The area is the perfect location for companies needing river transport and a central distribution point for raw materials and products. As the area grew, it added refineries, Shell and Amoco, resulting in a major pipe line providing access for products and resources. Additionally, there are several local barge line operators and ConAgra operates a flour mill facility adjacent to the river. Argosy Casino is located on the river front in downtown Alton.

Alton is located on some of the finest limestone bluffs in the world and has a National Scenic Byway located along the Mississippi and Alton Lake to view them. Alton Lake offers various water sports along with excellent fishing and hunting. The area is blessed with six championship golf course facilities including Spencer Olin, an Arnold Palmer course design, and Lockhaven Country Club, a stunning private course. In addition there are several local community courses. Nilo farms, a private hunting preserve North of Alton is owned and operated by Olin and has achieved national recognition. Gordon Moore Park is Southwestern Illinois’ leading recreation complex with tennis, baseball, soccer, and picnic facilities.

As a Metropolis of towns and villages that are mostly contiguous, each village and town offers a different flavor for traditional family living. Newer schools with a wide assortment of locally owned shops are added enhancements. Two full service hospitals with close ties to the St. Louis’s Barnes Hospital Complex offer outstanding health services. The ambience of small town living with easy access to St. Louis has made this a residential choice for many employed locally and in Missouri.