In 1917, a plan to merge all the towns on the east side of the Mississippi River, from Granite City in the north to Dupo in the south and from the river east for 6 miles was made public. Under the plan, East St. Louis, Granite City, Madison, Venice, Brooklyn, National City, Cahokia, Dupo, Falling Springs and Fairmount - with a combined population of 200,000 - would be combined.
I contend this is a missed opportunity --- perhaps the greatest missed opportunity in Metro East History.
You only see what it all is today and that's why you think my estimation is off.
No one has heard of these towns in other parts of the state and yet it is the second greatest concentration of people in the State.
It sure wouldn't happen today --- but had it happened in 1917 --- I venture to say that fortunes may have turned out differently.
on November 15, 2017, 7:41 pm