Josh Thompson video of "Way Out Here," filmed in Cairo, Illinois

As with Detroit, a hurricane did not destroy Cairo, Illinois. While Detroit hitched its wagon to the auto industry, Cairo, which is at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, anchored its fortunes to barges and steamboats. Racism also contributed to the decline and fall of the two towns.

Cairo's population peaked 100 years ago at 20,000, just 2,831 live there now.

Country singer Josh Thompson recorded a video for the acoustic version of "Way Out Here" last year in among the rot in Cairo--which, by the way, is pronounced KAY-ROH.

Cairo was an important distribution center for Union forces during the Civil War.

My 2008 Cairo entries:

• My Mississippi Manifest Destiny: Cairo, Illinois--Slum Town
• My Mississippi Manifest Destiny: Cairo's better side
• My Mississippi Manifest Destiny: Confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers

Related post:

150 years ago: Civil War begins