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.
It is hard to say why turquoise holds such beauty and significance for us. Perhaps because of its colour - that of the sky - in marked contrast from the usual skin tones of the earth. Turquoise is prominent in the religious cosmology of every Native North American culture that I know. Turquoise is technically hydrous copper aluminum phosphate.