Most People Don't Know That This Charming Small Town Was Named After Ancient Egypt
By Linze Rice|Published March 01, 2023
×
Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
Most people don’t give their hometown’s name a second thought — and why would they? It’s often an overlooked piece of local history that is easy to pass over. But for some towns, the namesake story is an interesting one worth exploring. For example, did you know Cave-In-Rock, Illinois was named after river pirates? It’s true! The naming history of Thebes, Illinois is another notable backstory, dating all the way back to ancient Egypt.
The village of Thebes can be found in Southern Illinois along the Mississippi River. It lives in an area of the state known as "Little Egypt," as it's also near Cairo, Illinois. In Egypt, Thebes and Cairo are also near each other.
As of 2020, the population of this small town was only 208, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Students in the area use the Egyptian School District.
It was originally a riverboat port called Sparhawk Landing when it was founded in 1835. Its historic courthouse was built in 1848 and sits on top of a bluff that overlooks the river.
The stately brick and wood building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Abraham Lincoln even argued there as a lawyer before becoming president.
Despite its small population, Thebes has a rich history — some proud, some tragic. It may have been a site where former slave Dredd Scott was once imprisoned, it's one of the main locations in the book "Show Boat," and it once elected a female mayor and all-woman City Council.
It's also home to the historic Thebes Bridge, which has carried trains across the Mississippi since 1905. As Thebes in Egypt was saddled next to the Nile River, the Thebes of Illinois hugs the Mississippi River.
The ancient city of Thebes in Egypt is a place of great historical significance. Its architectural and cultural ruins remain within the modern city of Luxor.
Among its ruins are two 3,400-year-old mega statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III called the Colossi of Memnon. While nowhere near as ornate as these stone busts, early settlers of Thebes, Illinois may have been inspired by the natural rock formations found near the Mississippi when naming the town.
It's also home to the Temple of Ramesses III, which has over 7,000 square meters of decorated pillars and walls, showcasing thousands of ancient hieroglyphics.
While Illinois is certainly quite different than Egypt, it does have some interesting connections between these two cities. What do you think of the naming history of Thebes, Illinois? Are there any other Illinois towns with names you’ve always wondered about? Tell us in the comments!
