Carbondale was established in 1853 and developed as a crossroads of the railroad industry. Today, the major roadways of Illinois Route 13 and U.S. Route 51 intersect in the city.

Understanding the Context

The city is located 96 miles (154 km) southeast of St. Louis on the northern edge of the Shawnee National Forest. A five-day conference this month at Southern Illinois University Carbondale will feature programming inspired by the vision and legacy of noted futurist, architect, and designer R. Buckminster Fuller.

Key Insights

Carbondale, Illinois, do hereby proclaim Carbondale to be, as of April 8th, at 1:59 PM the official Eclipse Crossroads of America In the city of Carbondale, Illinois, and encourage all citizens to respectfully recognize and participate in this special observance. Ordered this 7th day of April, 2024. . . .

Final Thoughts

. . Carbondale’s growth was spurred by the opening in 1869 of a normal school (renamed Southern Illinois University in 1947). The university provides the basis for Carbondale’s economy, and the city is a regional trade, tourism, and education centre.