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.
When Southwestern Native Americans found turquoise, they saw in it the blue, open sky that stretched over their desert homelands. It also represented life-giving water and the green tones of the earth. Because of the stoneâs deep connection to the world around them, Native Americans saw turquoise as a protecting force.