Cape Girardeau in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

1918-1919

The Big Freeze

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012

1. 1918-1919 Marker

Inscription. In the early 20th century, the Mississippi River was a wider and slower river than today. Because it was slower, it was more inclined to freeze over in periods of cold weather. The winter of 1918-1919 was especially frigid, and the river was covered over with ice for several weeks. A fun, but sometimes risky, activity was to walk or drive a team and wagon - or occasionally an automobile - across the frozen surface of the river.

Sponsor:
Doris Hendricks
In memory of James E. Householder (1939-2004) He loved the Mississippi River.

Erected by Mississippi River Tales River Heritage Mural Association Cape Girardeau, Missouri Where the river turns a thousand tales.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.

Location. 37° 18.142′ N, 89° 31.086′ W. Marker is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in Cape Girardeau County. Marker is on Water Street. Located on Missouri Wall of Fame along the Missouri River Front. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cape Girardeau MO 63703, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Civil War / The Boys of Summer / Sports Dazzlers (here, next to this marker); George Washington Carver (here, next to this marker); 1980

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(a few steps from this marker); Muralist / Broadcasters (a few steps from this marker); 2003 (a few steps from this marker); 1909 (a few steps from this marker); 1927 (within shouting distance of this marker); Visionary Women / Entrepreneurs (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.

Also see . . . Mississippi River Tales Mural. The Mississippi River Tales is a mural containing 24 panels covering nearly 18,000 square feet (1,700 m2) of the 15-foot (4.6 m)-high downtown floodwall in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. (Submitted on September 2, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012

2. 1918-1919 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 198 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.