Cape Girardeau

Cape Girardeau. . , [side 1] , Founded as an Indian trading post, 1793, by French Canadian Louis Lorimier. Probably named for Girardot, a trader at Cape Rock. , In 1795 Lorimier became commandant of Cape Girardeau District, most American of the 5 Spanish districts, later one of Missouri’s first 5 counties. Germans from the states also settled here. Shawnee and Delaware Indians were given Spanish land grants nearby to act as a buffer against the Osages. , At time of American occupation, 1804, the district was third in population of the 5 districts, yet had no white village. Lorimier laid out town of Cape Girardeau, 1806, to be the seat of government. Delay in honoring his Spanish land grant halted growth. , The county seat was then moved 10 miles to Jackson, 1814. Established there were a U.S. Land Office, 1818; a newspaper, “Missouri Herald,” 1819; an academy, 1820; and State’s first long distance telephone line, 1877. Near Jackson were organized a German Reformed church, 1803; Bethel Baptist and McKendree Methodist churches, 1806. McKendree Methodist Chapel, 1819, is the oldest Protestant building in Missouri. , [side 2] , Cape Girardeau grew rapidly after the Lorimier land grant was confirmed, 1836. Here were established St. Vincent’s College, 1843; Washington Female Seminary, 1849; and Southeast Missouri State College, 1873. The college has a notable museum. , Union forces occupied the town, 1861-1863, and built defense forts A, B, C, D. In 1863 the Federals under McNeil repulsed a Confederate attack under command of Marmaduke. Among well marked historic sites in town is Fort D. , In Lorimier Cemetery are graves of the town founder Louis Lorimier; U.S. Senator Alexander Buckner; and notable builder of railroads and Missouri historian Louis Houck. , The town benefits from a large cement plant; Federal River Improvement program; and Little River Drainage project. The bridge across the Mississippi was dedicated, 1928. , Lovely Ten Mile Garden connects county seat Jackson with Cape Girardeau. El Camino Real or King’s Highway, 1789, served Cape Girardeau in early days.