McCormick, Adams and Armington Company builds a grain elevator on the Island near Front Street on the Chicago and Alton rail line.

The depression of 1873 hits America. Business and commerce in East St. Louis is greatly affected by the economic downturn.

Wiggins Ferry Co. has a fleet of eight steam ferry boats for people and horses and three transfer boats for trains. The business has become synonymous with monopoly and is the target of attack by liberal politicians. The company continues to bitterly oppose the bridge construction that is rapidly nearing completion. By 1895 their fleet will have grown to more than twenty vessels and three tugs making continuous crossings across the Mississippi.

The first high school, an unimposing structure at Fifth and St. Louis Street, begins operation.

The opening of National Stock Yards is delayed from October 2 to November 20 due to the Panic of 1873.

National Hotel is built by the Stock Yards at a cost of $150,000. It was originally called the Allerton House in honor of Samuel Allerton.

The Railroad Brakemen's Union is organized. They win a wage scale of $1.75 a day. The other railroad unions followed suit.

Wages, employment and union organizations are harmed by the Panic of 1873. Railroad companies doing business in East St. Louis suffer due to over-expansion and over-capitalization. Squeezed by declining business and harassed politically by outraged farmers due to exorbitant and discriminatory rates, they cut back on costs wherever they can. Rolling stock, track and equipment are allowed to deteriorate. Wages are cut. Crews are reduced to minimum levels and remaining workers are forced to perform overtime without pay.

A suspicious fire destroys the toll gate house on the dike road leading to Wiggins Ferry. A group of citizens file suit in court to try and prevent the hated structure from being rebuilt.

The first school board is elected, consisting of six members. By 1921, the number will, grow to twelve.

A fire starts under the sidewalk at the mill of John Lovingston, businessman, politician, civic leader and one of the city kingpins. Before the day is over, two million board feet of lumber are consumed, and the offices and sheds are gone. The loss is established at $75,000 - a great fortune. Only a third of the loss is covered by insurance. Lovingston is away in Europe at the time of the fire.

East St. Louis and Carondelet Railway completed. It was chartered as the American Bottom Lime, Marble and Coal Co., and will be commonly referred to as the "Falling Springs Railroad."