What is Alton like? (Godfrey, Oakland: homes, rent, work)

[carmac]

I'm just curious...I was there during the flood in '93, and considering what everyone was going through at that time, it seemed like a nice little town. Has it changed much since then? Thanks for any help you can give.

[2beamissourian]

Change since the flood of 93 ..this whole area changed since then.

The casino is painted - looked better before My personal thoughts is its an eye sore now!

Alton has a new high school its in Godfrey now .. at the old JB building.

What specifics would you like to know?

Im not in Alton but grew up there .. I left Alton to move to a smaller town with less garbage. I personally do not like Alton and would not live there!

[Applegater]

Newark,NJ. Gary, IN. Oakland, CA. Alton is best visited in Cyberspace.

[doll lady]

hmmmmmmmmmmmm I go there to the riverboat casino.

I personally would not want to live there. It looks pretty dirty. But I am sure it has its good points. One place you have to visit once in your lifetime is Fast Eddies.....a burger joint which also serves other things like tenderloin kabobs on a stick and shrimp ... it is definitely different than any place you might have ever visited....it's a treat just to go there and watch all that goes on. (no kids allowed)

Up the road towards Godfrey is a great ice cream place, but I can't remember the name. And the mall is out that way too...but I just don't like that mall.

There are a few antique shops in the down town area that I have found interesting. The drive along the great river road to Grafton is a beautiful site. Just past Grafton is the Pere Marquette State Park (winter's place to go to watch for bald eagles). We enjoy staying at the lodge which overlooks the river.

One pretty little town along the river between Alton and Grafton is Elsah, the home of Principia College. I feel like it is a step back in time when I am there.

[2beamissourian]

Alton is a dirty town the poster before me was correct.

It has some neat antique shops. The mall is NOTHING to go to most of the shops are closing.

Tony's is a nice restaurant in Alton down town location

I grew up in this town ..........and I moved away and WOULD never move back
crime / filth etc etc.......not much to do in this town ...
on the beltline there is Steak N Shake but a lot of the eateries are closing there as well........ the town just don't have much going for it.
If I need something in that area I do not go at night.

[will1001]

The people on this site really amaze me... Alton is made out to be this hell-hole, teaming w/ pros, drug dealers and serial killers. Not so. While it certainly has problems, the town is overall quite nice.

The historic homes and buildings are quite lovely. The City has just completed a renovation of the Historic City Hall building in the downtown area. New construction work has just begun on a Riverfront Amphitheater; it will provide a beautiful venue for music and cultural activities.

The comparison that was made above- that Alton is "Newark/Gary/Oakland"... God that is rich. Obviously the writer has NEVER seen true urban decay- Alton is freakin' Ladue (a ritzy STL suburb) compared to the town which I now live in!

The best suggestion I can give to you: go back and visit Alton. See for yourself. I can promise you this: Gary, IN, it ain't!

[midwest1]

will,

I agree with your feelings about the tone on this site-

I visited alton and found it to be quite an intriguing and unique place. Great setting.


I think this site needs a psychologist to deal with people's childhood issues.

[pw72]

I went there to basically go to the casino. Not a bad casino by midwest standards. Got a parking ticket because it was dark and I had no clue. They tuned it over to an out of state collection company. Threatened me with huge fines if I didn't pay. Called Alton police and they were very polite and told me "they would take care of it". Hmmm....not sure what to make of this town. It is pretty, and the police eventually did come through for me. So I guess overall, I love Alton!

[XtremeBiker278]

Alton definitely has a small town charm to it, and it is fun to walk around and enjoy the scenery. While there are some areas that aren't that great, what town doesn't have that in parts? Overall, it is a decent town. I personally like it it because it has the McPike Mansion, one of the most haunted places in America! :P

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by midwest1

will,

I agree with your feelings about the tone on this site-


I think this site needs a psychologist to deal with people's childhood issues.

hahah. so true.