Cairo, Illinois has recently come to my attention because of feedback on my entry for this location in Twain’s Geography. I can readily see why Cairo may have been missed by Huck and Jim floating down the Mississippi, Most of the town is actually situated on the Ohio River. My respondent denies any significant economic activity in the town she grew up in, and this is likely the case for her, her parents and probably her grandparents. I found a publication from 1910 that goes into great detail on the history of development – and periods of destruction experienced by this town.