Historic Cairo
Cairo Custom House Museum
The United States Custom House was started in 1867 and has housed the U.S. Post Office, Customs, the Weather Bureau, the Federal Court Room, and the Cairo Police Department. The building was designed by Alfred B. Mullett, an architect with
the U.S. Treasury Dept. The site was selected by Stephen A. Douglas. Today, the building is the Cairo Custom House Museum. On the first floor there are Civil War and local historical items. The Halliday Art Gallery and individual display
rooms are on the second floor. Some featured items on display are: The desk used by Gen. U.S. Grant, an 1865 Cairo fire wagon, a scale model of the gunboat U.S.S. Cairo, the historic hamburger/popcorn wagon, and several other interesting
memorabilia. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but closed from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tours can be arranged. Phone 618-734-1019
