Illinois Route 14 runs just south of North City, leading east 7.5 miles (12.1 km) to Benton, the Franklin County seat, and west 12 miles (19 km) to Du Quoin.
In Greece, Turkey, Egypt, and Tibet Turquoise represents purity. Because of its color, it is an ancient symbol of the sky. The ancients of the Native Indian Americans believe that Turquoise was such a strong symbol of prosperity and possitivity that it would scare away demons.
However, one of the most important and classic localities is Nishapur, Iran, where Turquoise has been mined since the ancient Persians. Other historical localities for Turquoise are Serabit el-Khadim in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt; and Eilat, Israel, where it is associated with Chrysocolla and called Eilat Stone.