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.
There is evidence that Egyptian blue was used by the ancient Egyptians as early as 2600 BCE and became the primary blue colorant used in ancient Egypt through the Roman Periods of Egypt (ca. 30-395 CE).8] Egyptian blue can be mixed with a binder to create paint; it is also often used as a glazing material. [9] Over time, Egyptian blue can discolor due to breakdown of the glass components of the material; in these cases, the bright turquoise color turns to a dark greenish black and the particles often crumble. [10].