From the late 60’s through the early 80’s I went through Metropolis all the time on the way to see my grandparents in Southern Illinois. It was memorable because we would cross the river and immediately see indicia of Superman around town, much like the connection between Chester, Illinois, and Popeye. Sadly, Southern Illinois—”Little Egypt”—has been on the decline for decades.
Left that Hell Hole in the late 60’s, when I was old enough to stick my thumb out and hitch hike out of there. Still have some family there. My mother passed away earlier this year and trying to sell her estate for what it is worth is trying.The only higher paying blue collar jobs is either what is left of the coal mines or one of the prisons in Chester or the Fed in Marion.