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 Eon Building, One of
Chicago's Great
Skyscrapers by deecat
The variety of life in Illinois results from the state's special geographic position and geologic history. Along its north-south axis, Illinois is one of the longest states in the Midwest. Thus, the north has cooler summers and colder winters; the south has mild winters and hot summers. These mixed temperatures and moistures attribute to a rich diversity of wildlife year-round.
Illinois has woodlands along the moist river valleys; grasslands in the plains; the coastal plains of the southern part of the state resemble forest & swamps of Mississippi!
Because of our rich soils, mineral deposits, varied plants and animals, Illinois has always attracted the following:
Farmers (Illinois is known as an Agricultural State), Miners & Oil Speculators (Illinois has coal mines & oil rigs in Southern Illinois), Construction Workers (Chicago is famous for its varied and innovative skyscrapers), Forest Rangers (We need them to work at Shawnee National Forest, Giant City State Park, Garden of the Gods, Ferne Clyffe State Park, Crab Orchard National Fish & Wildlife Refuge, Chain o' Lakes State Park, and National Tallgrass Prairie), Scientists and Teachers (thousands of Public Schools, Private Schools, Junior Colleges, State Universities, and such outstanding universities as: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, and University of Illinois).
Definitely, Illinois has a variety of natural areas as well as a diversity of cultures, and a need for a wide-range of jobs--Thus, Variety is the "Spice" of Illinois! Leave a Comment
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 1939 Flood in Galena: Old
Newspaper Account by deecat
While in Galena, we took a tour and were most interested in the big Green flood gates.
To look at the Galena River as it is today, it seemed unlikely to us that it would be the cause of flooding. Yet, we were told that Galena had created a levy and changed the way the river was used as well as adding the flood gates. Why? Because of all the many floods they had experienced through the years. In 1937 a town committee prepared a report to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers urging support to build a levy.
You have to know a little history to understand. Most of the people in the early days arrived at Galena by keelboats and steamboats. At that time, the Galena River was navigable for all Mississippi River steamers, even a low tide. Later, Galena became the most important steam port on the Mississippi between Rock Island & St. Paul. Once the farmers began to plw the uplands, there was a continual problem with silt and the river had to be dredged. In 1890 a lock and dam near the mouth of the Galena River was built to maintain a navigable stage up the stream to Galena. It was not constructed correctly so a dam at Aiken in Harris Slough was built. This forced the Galena river to flow up stream for two miles from its mouth and this caused more sediment. By 1921, the dam was abandoned and the stream bed was filled (this resulted in less rainfall causing floods at Galena). Early floods began in 1826 and continued regularly. One of the worst was in 1937 when the highest stage ever recorded (27.67) devasted the town due to the heavy ice flow after the rains. After this horrid flood and the flood commissions plea, the levy along the Galena River was constructed, and the gates which are still used today were installed. Leave a Comment
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 Carl Sandburg, Illinois
Poet by deecat
First, & most importantly, the "body of people" in the State of Illinois are known for being friendly & helpful. That Midwestern, downhome attitude is refreshing.
It is the children of Illinois who have chosen the State Symbols:
White Oak Tree (tree) which represents the strength of the state.
Violet (flower) points out the beauty of Illinois.
Cardinal (bird) signifies the state's bright determination & inventiveness.
Monarch Butterfly (insect) represents the state's ability to change.
Bluegill indicates the state's reputation for fighting for what it wants.
White-tailed Deer (animal) shows the state's gentle, nurturing nature.
Big Bluestem Prairie Grass represents the state's size & flexibility.
Wise choices for a State of "Superior Men"!
When it comes to famous people, I see their fame as Outcomes of the values engrained in them while growing up in Illinois:
A State That Backs the Arts:
Ray Bradbury (author), Gower Champion (Dance), Benny Goodman (musician), Ernest Hemingway (author), Charlton Heston (actor), Rock Hudson (actor), Quincy Jones (composer), Carl Sandburg (poet), Gloria Swanson (actress).
A State With Compassion:
Jane Addams (social worker)
An Inventive State:
John Deere (inventor)
A State Filled With Laughter:
John Balushi, Jack Benny, Bill Murray, Bob Newhart, Richard Pryor (comedians)
A State That Values Sports/Fitness:
Jimmy Connors (Tennis)
Dorothy Hamill (ice skating)
A State That Values Beauty:
Cindy Crawford (model)
Raquel Welch (Beauty & actress).
A State That Values Leadership:
Ulysses S. Grant, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Regan (Presidents)
Black Hawk (Sauk Indian Chief)
Yes, choices tell a great deal about people & their state! Leave a Comment
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 by dlandtLeave a Comment
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 He drives it to work every
day! by dlandt
The Midwest isn't the most exciting part of the US, but it is kind of fun and quirky in its own way. People tend to be individualistic, even if they are conservative at heart. They generally do their own thing, like to talk to people, and pursue their own interests. They do tend to be a bit isolated form the world at large. Don't expect them to speak two or three languages like people in Chicago, and avoid talking religion and politics, and you'll find them a warm and welcoming folk.
This picture was taken in Prairie du Rocher Leave a Comment
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 by traveldave
Alexander Calder's Flamingo is a 50-ton (45,360-kilogram) iron sculpture that is the centerpiece of the Federal Plaza on South Dearborn Street. Leave a Comment
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