What) Fort Defiance, known as Camp Defiance during the American Civil War, is a former military fortification located at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers near Cairo, Illinois. The strategic significance of the site has been known since prehistoric times with archaeological evidence of warfare dating to the Mississippian era (800-1500 AD). It is the southernmost point in the state of Illinois. Fort Defiance Park, formerly a State Park, is owned and maintained by the city of Cairo. At 279 feet (85 m) elevation, Fort Defiance Point is also Illinois' lowest point. (1)

    Where) Fort Defiance Road just past the intersection of Highways 51 and 60/62

    Why) Over the last few years, Pam has wanted to visit the confluence (she doesn't use that word) of any major rivers that we happen to drive by.  We skipped the Missouri/Mississippi one in favour of the Gateway Arch so there was no way that we could miss this one.

























Here is my rather poor attempt at a panoramic shot from ground level.  You can scroll to the right if you want to.










This picture taken from a plane shows a fork in the Mississippi just before it merges with the Ohio. (2)






This picture was taken by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station in 2006. (3)