[MomwithHope]

There is a city called Cairo though. I went to the University in Carbondale for two years. School paper was called the Egyptian.

[HartleyMBaldwin]

You might also like Smith’s book. He was from McLeansboro originally.

[Paul R.]

Yes, and the Southern Illinois University mascot is the “Salukis”, probably best known for Walt Frazier, but they have an excellent School of Aviation.

A few other references to Egypt are scattered about the area...

Curiously, maps of the centerline of totality this time vary a bit. One puts it over the main dam at Crab Orchard Lake, but most (I think - I haven’t canvassed all) put it slightly ( ~ 1/2 mile) North, over the emergency spillway. Nice (mowed periodically to keep it in grass) open field there — I bet it will be packed.

Local cabins are pretty much already booked, and, look at the rates! (Scroll down)

https://rockycomfortcabins.com/Total_Solar_Eclipse_2017_2024_Makanda-illinois.html#:~:text=Southern%20Illinois%20is%20now%20known,totality%20for%20the%202024%20Eclipse.