Alton city is situated in Madison county, SW Illinois,in the suburb of St. Louis, on the Mississippi R. 5 mi/8 km above its confluence with the Missouri and 10 mi/16 km below its confluence with the Illinois. <br> Alton is a shipping and industrial center.It has Oil refineries to SE. Manufactoring includes food products, lime, crushed stone, lumber, crystal, paperboard, and steel. Agriculture in outlying areas to N and E and across river in Mo. Alton points of interest are a monument to abolitionist Elijah Lovejoy, who was killed by a mob in Alton (1837); a tablet marking the site of the last Lincoln-Douglas debate (1858); and a cemetery where many captured Confederate soldiers are buried. Extensive damage to downtown area took place in catastrophic flood (1993). New Lock and Dam No. 26R built in early 1990s 2 mi/3.2 km downstream from original downtown site, New suspension bridge (Clark Bridge) opened 1994, New Lewis Bridge spans Missouri R. 6 mi/9.7 km SW. Inc. 1837 are also tourist attractions.