Great name. idk what it means but it sounds like a book from Sunday school.
Here's what I found:
Southern Illinois earned the nickname “Little Egypt” in the early 19th century. There are several theories behind this nickname:
1> Fertility and Agriculture: One theory suggests that the region’s fertile soil along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers reminded settlers of the Nile Delta in Egypt. The rich land facilitated prosperous farming, just like the fertile plains of Egypt.
2> Migration Patterns: Another theory posits that the nickname arose due to migration patterns. Early settlers from the southern states, particularly Kentucky and Tennessee, migrated northward into Illinois. When they arrived in the southern part of the state, they found a climate and terrain similar to that of their former homes, prompting them to dub the region “Little Egypt. “
3> Joseph’s Journey: A local legend suggests that the nickname originated from a severe winter in the early 19th century. During this time, the region suffered from crop failures and economic hardship. A trader named Conrad Will, who was believed to resemble an Egyptian, allegedly stored grain and sold it to locals at exorbitant prices during the famine, akin to Joseph in the biblical story of Egypt. This legend may have contributed to the association with Egypt.
Regardless of the exact origin, the nickname “Little Egypt” has persisted over the years, reflecting the unique character and history of the southern Illinois region.
