Cape Girardeau in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Saving Fort D
Fort D
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2021
1. Saving Fort D Marker
After the Civil War, the forts and earthworks of Cape Girardeau slowly disappeared as the city grew. Finally, only Fort D remained. In the early 1900's the area surrounding the fort was developed as Fort D Highlands. A campaign by veterans, concerned citizenry and the local newspaper kept the fort intact as the lands around it were developed.
In the 1930's the land was purchased by the American Legion, and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) approved a project to stabilize the earthworks and build a replica powder-house, to be used as a museum and meeting house, in the center. Finally the renovated fort was reopened as a park in 1936, 75 years after it was originally built. The museum, designed in a fort-like style, has become a landmark in the city and is representative of WPA architecture.
Over the years the fort and museum fell on hard times, being used for many purposes far from the original designs, including use as a private residence. Finally, with the threat of demolishing the remaining walls of the museum, public entities and private organizations stepped forward to bring new life to the site and interpret Cape Girardeau's role in the Civil War.
Erected 2005 by Cape Girardeau Convention
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.
Location. 37° 17.448′ N, 89° 31.587′ W. Marker is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in Cape Girardeau County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Fort Street and Westport Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located on the Fort D Historic Site grounds, along the walkway in front of the museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 920 Fort Street, 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. Marching with the 1st Nebraska (here, next to this marker); The 20th Illinois Regiment (here, next to this marker); Down the Colorado (here, next to this marker); Unwanted, Untrained & Indispensable (a few steps from this marker); Grant Takes Command (a few steps from this marker); Fort D (a few steps from this marker); 32-Pounder Seacoast Gun (a few steps from this marker); Bowling for Boredom (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.
Related markers.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 21, 2021
2. Saving Fort D Marker
Looking northeast. Fort D Historic Site Museum in background.
Also see . . .
1. Fort D (Wikipedia). Excerpt:
The fort was saved from development in the early 20th century. The earthworks were repaired by the Works Progress Administration during the 1930s. The stone blockhouse was also built by the WPA in 1936 and has been used for various purposes since.(Submitted on November 27, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Fort D Historic Site History. Excerpt:
The work on the new powder house and fort was completed on July 26, 1937 and the American Legion used the building as a meeting house for several years. However, eventually the Legion moved from the site. From 1945 to 1948 the property was used by the Girl Scouts as a recreation center. In the middle 1950’s the powder house was used as a civil defense headquarters. In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s the building was frequently used as a private residence. From 1967 until 1975 the building and grounds were used as a senior citizens’ center followed by use in the mid-1980’s by the Junior Optimist Club. The building thereafter stood vacant and frequently vandalized. Major stabilization and improvements to the site began in 2005 with new interpretive signs, guided tours, and Civil War living history.(Submitted on November 27, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 50 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 27, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
