HOW DID CAIRO NEVER MAKE IT

As a history minor in college, I studied some Illinois history, but I never figured out why Cairo, Illinois never prospered. Why Pittsburg did and Cairo didn't.

Actually why chicago did and Cairo didn't. Seemingly, Cairo has a better location for transportation. Both by waterways and by road and rail. What I mean is, by being located more in the heart of the country, Cairo would provide more easy access to more people.

The Cairo Cubs sounds better. The Cairo Bears, too. All that seems to go with or after chicago is sucks.

On the other hand, denizens from the southern most Illinois city can't even decide on what to call their city: Cairo, as in Egypt; Karow, as in maple syrup; or Care-o, as it's written. Most favor the latter. But in nearby Vienna, it's Vy-anna, and not too far away Advance, Missouri, is called Add-vance with the accent on ADD. Oh well, some call Missouri, Missoura, so who knows?

So while one end of Illinois prospered, the other end declined. And I still don't know why. But then again, with the current governor having such an affinity for the big city rather than the downstate capital, maybe Cairo lucked out after all.