Image Credits
Piggott's Ferry
James Piggott, a late eighteenth century pioneer and a territorial
judge for Illinois, settled in the American Bottom region of Illinois
after migrating from the Eastern United States.
Once settled in Cahokia
he and his family went about building
a road from that town to a point on Cahokia Creek opposite St.
Louis in 1792. During that time the area that is present day East
St. Louis, was swampy and uninhabited. Goods crossing the river
from the Illinois side had to travel from Cahokia, upstream to
St. Louis. Piggott built a sturdy road consisting of rocks buttressed
with logs through the swampy region. He spanned a 150-foot wooden
bridge over Cahokia Creek to the river front where he built two
log cabins.