Cape Girardeau in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Cape Girardeau River Crossings
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012
1. Cape Girardeau River Crossings Marker
In the 1790s, the Spanish governor granted Louis Lorimier permission to operate a ferry service at Cape Girardeau. Thereafter, ferry operators continued to shuttle people and products across the Mississippi River until 1928 when a new, privately built bridge ended the ferryboat era. Captain A.C. Jaynes was the last of these operators.
Located at the north end of the River Campus Terrace Park, the 1928 bridge operated first as a toll bridge and later as a state roadway. The bridge closed on December 13, 2003 when the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge opened.
Over 4000 feet long and 300 feet high, this cable-stayed bridge is designed to carry upwards of 26,000 vehicles per day and continues the vital and historic link between southeast Missouri and southern Illinois.
Erected by Southeast Missouri State University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1793.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 17.753′ N, 89° 31.226′ W. Marker was in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in Cape Girardeau County. It could be reached from Aquamsi Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is in
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
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 (a few steps from 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. 0.4 miles away); George Drouillard (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Red House Interpretive Center (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Lewis and Clark Expedition Across Missouri (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.
Other markers no longer nearby. Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Cape Girardeau and the Railroad (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); River Commerce (was about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); Champion Beech Tree
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012
2. Cape Girardeau Bridge (what is left of the bridge)
Erected 1927 by
The Cape Girardeau Bridge Co.
------------------------
Harrington, Howard and Ash
Consulting Engineers
-------------------
American Bridge Co.
The U.G.I. Contracting Co.
Contractors
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.
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012
3. Cape Girardeau Bridge Marker
Erected 1927 by
The Cape Girardeau Bridge Co.
------------------------
Harrington, Howard and Ash
Consulting Engineers
-------------------
American Bridge Co.
The U.G.I. Contracting Co.
Contractors
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012
4. Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012
5. Cape Girardeau River Crossings Marker
Marker is located on far left.
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012
6. Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge
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 1,041 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on November 12, 2024, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 23, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
