Kaskaskia, Illinois
Kaskaskia, Illinois is the first capital of the state of Illinois. It precedes the second capital, Vandalia, and the third and current, Springfield.
It is also the only part of Illinois that lies west of the Mississippi River. In the 19th century, the melting of a tremendous ice jam on the river one spring released such a torrent of water that the Mississippi rerouted itself to a new channel, cutting off Kaskaskia.
I'm fascinated by this town because it's such a powerful reminder of the ways towns and regions are reshaped by forces of history. Once, the Mississippi was the heart of the transportation network of huge regions of the country. But after the steamboats came the railroads, the cars, and the airplanes. The progression of the technology of transportation reshaped the face of the country, leaving remembrances like Kaskaskia behind.
( More pictures behind the cut. All photos are copyright Stormdog 2012 )
It is also the only part of Illinois that lies west of the Mississippi River. In the 19th century, the melting of a tremendous ice jam on the river one spring released such a torrent of water that the Mississippi rerouted itself to a new channel, cutting off Kaskaskia.
I'm fascinated by this town because it's such a powerful reminder of the ways towns and regions are reshaped by forces of history. Once, the Mississippi was the heart of the transportation network of huge regions of the country. But after the steamboats came the railroads, the cars, and the airplanes. The progression of the technology of transportation reshaped the face of the country, leaving remembrances like Kaskaskia behind.
( More pictures behind the cut. All photos are copyright Stormdog 2012 )
