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

1924

The Three "Cape Girardeaus"

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012

1. 1924 Marker

Inscription. For most of the 19th century and the first third of the 20th, steamboats were vital to the economic livelihood of Cape Girardeau and southeast Missouri. Three steamboats bore the name "Cape Girardeau," the last being christened here in 1924. Riverboat captains were among the most well-known individuals in their towns. Captain William "Buck" Leyhe and his dog "Toodles" were great favorites in Cape Girardeau. He was a big man with a big voice!

Erected by Mississippi River Tales / River Heritage Mural Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 37° 18.118′ N, 89° 31.088′ 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. Entertainers (here, next to this marker); 1916 (a few steps from this marker); Hollywood (a few steps from this marker); 1909 (a few steps from this marker); 2003 (within shouting distance of this marker); Muralist / Broadcasters (within shouting

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distance of this marker); 1980 (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington Carver (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.

Also see . . .
1. Steamboat pilot Capt. Wm. "Buck" Leyhe. Golden Eagle Wins Pennant on Fast Trip Today, somewhere down towards Sheffield, Ala., a rotund and most jovial person was still receiving the plaudits of cheering throngs along river shores as "master of the inland waterways." The responsive beaming smile could belong to none other than Capt. Wm. H. "Buck" Leyhe, master of the good ship Golden Eagle, which crossed the finish line at Cape Girardeau at 3:25 a.m. Sunday to win, against time, a steamboat race between the Delta King of the San Joaquin River and Delta Queen of Sacramento River, California. (Submitted on September 2, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

2. 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. 1924 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 195 times since then and 11 times this year. Last updated on February 17, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.