Reflecting the River

Reflecting the River. Did You Know?. , The architectural heritage of Cape Girardeau is as rich as the city's 200-year history. Much of the early commerce and growth of Cape Girardeau was related to the river. As merchants prospered, their buildings and homes reflected the times. Today, architecture across the city is a reflection not only of history's prevalent styles but the pride local residents take in preserving these treasures. , Some of the various architectural styles you can discover in Cape Girardeau:, Victorian / Queen Anne , 1897 , Of the Victorian-era architecture, the Queen Anne style is difficult to define but relatively easy to identify with its steep roofs, elaborate designs and irregular shapes. , Spanish Colonial Revival , 1937 , Reflecting the Spanish era of Missouri's history, these buildings frequently have stucco exteriors with rounded, red-tile roofs. Windows may be arched or rectangular, and decorative iron work is frequently used. , Four Square , 1906 , Also known as the Prairie Box, these spacious homes make the maximum use of smaller lots and have a symmetrical interior plan. They almost always feature a central dormer on the top level and a wrap-around porch. , Neo Classical Revival , 1922 , Based on Greek or Roman styles with columns and strong symmetry, this style is still popular in the design of homes and public buildings. , German Vernacular , 1868 , Vernacular refers to the locality where buildings were constructed. These structures reflect the strong German heritage of this area. The homes, normally brick, have a simple floor plan. Those built before the Civil War typically sit directly behind the sidewalk. Post-Civil War buildings were set back from the sidewalk. , Italianate or Renaissance Revival , 1905 , This wide-spread style can be identified by the low-pitched roof atop a vertical, symmetrical building. Mostly common in commercial buildings, it can also be found in large, private homes. , Craftsman Bungalow
1920 , Classically American, these residential buildings are easily identified by their 1.5 stories, low-pitched roofs, wide eaves and deeply-overhanging porches.