All Town, USA is a podcast that explores Alton, Illinois' significant history and evolving identity. We tell stories in search of ways to bridge divides across neighborhoods. This is about all of us. We are all town.
introduction: why alton?
The producers share the inspiration behind the series and provide a preview into the future episodes.
episode 1: "A river town that has touched history in an amazing number of times."
Alton's location led to booming industries, war operations, and the Underground Railroad
episode 2: "But whoso is heroic will always find crises to try his edge."
The effects of Elijah Lovejoy's life and death on the Civil War, Abolitionism, and Freedom of the Press
episode 3: "...back in the day we had a rich life out here. No money, but we had things we loved to do."
Escaped and freed slaves founded communities along the Mississippi River. Rocky Fork, 1863.
Episode 4: “ It’s who we are and when you lose the connection with the past, it’s a terrible thing.”
A look inside Alton’s historic districts and landmarks and why they matter.
Episode 5: part 1 “it’s the morals they instilled in us. even as we went out out in the world we had a calling back. we knew what was right and wrong. that was established in Mexico.”
An introduction into the Alton neighborhood known as Mexico.
Episode 5: part 2 “And the only way that a community can be the very best that it can be is to get to know people. To share that dialogue. To share their dreams because we all have dreams and values and a lot of them are common dreams and values.”
A look into what the Mexico community, and many of our communities, look like today and why community matters.
Episode 6: Part 1 “it’s transportation, it’s recreation, it is the lifeblood of this community.”
A deep look into the connections between Alton and the Mississippi River.
Episode 6: Part 2 “i’ve been on this river my entire life and this river is definitely acting different than it used to.”
A look into the environmental, economic and emotional impact of flooding.
Episode 7: Part 1 “We’re that community that really digs our heals in and comes together during tough times.”
A look at the Alton community’s response and resilience in the face of a pandemic.
Episode 7: Part 2 “Connection to each other is what’s most vital.”
A further look into how the Alton community is coping with the pandemic, and how we will move forward.
All town, USA Special Edition: “There will be no way from this day moving forward that they can say all justice is blind. It was for the world to see.”
A conversation about the US Capitol riots from the perspective of four Black Americans from Alton.
Episode 8: Part 1 “Some of the chain is being loosed, the pain is beginning to be chipped, but we just want to be free of racism.”
A look at how racism affects all aspects of life.
Episode 8: Part 2 “The American Dream. Well for black people that’s almost meaning American Survival. Our parents worked just to survive, not get ahead.”
A further look into thoughts about racism and its impact on our society.
Episode 9: Part 1 “Alton is the perfect storm for all this energy.”
A look into why Alton is one of the most haunted small towns in America.