Cape Girardeau in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Cape Girardeau and the Railroad
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012
1. Cape Girardeau and the Railroad Marker
After the golden age of the steamboat, port cities like Cape Girardeau suffered as railroads provided alternate means of transportation.
Responding to the post-Civil War railroad boom, a syndicated of local business leaders formed the Cape Girardeau and State Line Railroad Company in 1869 and sold bonds to capitalize the enterprise. However, no track was ever laid, the funds disappeared, and the company went bankrupt leaving the City in great debt.
In 1880 Louis Houck, a local lawyer and entrepreneur, formed the Cape Girardeau Railway Company to link Cape and the Iron Mountain Railway at Delta, Missouri. He formed the Mississippi and Arkansas Railroad in 1894 to connect Cape with the St. Louis, Kennett and Southern Railroads.
Financial and legal difficulties forced Houck's companies into receivership. After acquiring Houck's former holdings in 1902, the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway Company began regular service between Cape Girardeau and St. Louis in time for the World's Fair.
Erected by Southeast Missouri State University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 37°
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Southeast Missouri. It was also in the American Ozarks, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: St Vincent's Seminary and Southeast Missouri State University (within shouting distance of this marker); Cape La Croix Creek (approx. 0.3 miles away); Don Louis Lorimier / El Camino Real (approx. 0.3 miles away); Old St. Vincent's Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Red House (approx. 0.3 miles away); George Drouillard (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Red House Interpretive Center (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Lewis and Clark Expedition Across Missouri (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.
Other markers no longer nearby. Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Cape Girardeau River Crossings (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); River Commerce (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); Champion Beech Tree (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Additional commentary.
1. Marker confirmed missing.
Just visited 10/25/2025. This park area has been renovated without updates to the markers.
— Submitted October 28, 2025, by Garrett Koch of Saint Louis, Missouri.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,314 times since then and 51 times this year. Last updated on November 12, 2024, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. Photo 1. submitted on August 23, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker in context. • Can you help?
