How did Alton get its name?

Alton, a city in Illinois, was named after a prominent local figure, Alton W. Parker, who was a politician and a judge. The name was adopted in the 1830s when the town was first established. The area was originally called "Bluff City" due to its location on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, but the name Alton was chosen to honor Parker's influence in the region.