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

1735

Girardot Post

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

1. 1735 Marker

Inscription.
As part of the French effort to establish a military occupation of the Mississippi River Valley, Ensign Jean Baptiste Girardot established a trading post on the flat plain at the bend of the river north of Cape Rock... known today as the Cape Girardeau Country Club golf course. The choice of this location is believed to be due to the terrific force of the current and dangerous whirlpool south of Cape Rock.

The remote outpost became a popular gathering place for river travelers. By 1765, maps of the river identified this site as Cape Girardot after. its namesake Jean Baptiste Girardot. This site was also the first location of Cape Girardeau. The city was later relocated a couple miles south, due to repeated flooding.

Cape Rock Park
This beautiful park and memorial stone is approximately a 2.5 mile drive north of this location. It offers a scenic view of the Mississippi River. Bend of the River
By 1765, maps of the Mississippi River identified this bend and its dangerous water as Cape Girardeau

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1735.

Location. 37° 18.355′ N,

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89° 31.051′ W. Marker is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in Cape Girardeau County. It is at the intersection of North Water Street and Broadway Street, on the right when traveling north on North Water Street. Marker is located along the Mississippi River Tales Mural covering the downtown floodwall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1993 N Water St, Cape Girardeau MO 63701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Missouri. It is also in the American Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds 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 marker: 1673 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 1673 (a few steps from this marker); Pook's Turtles (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

2. 1735 Marker

named 1793 (a few steps from this marker); 1200 (within shouting distance of this marker); Reflecting the River (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Nature's River (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1803 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.

Other markers no longer nearby. 1735 (has been replaced with this marker); "Red Rover, Red Rover" (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); 1793 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Nature's River (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1803 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2024, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. This page has been viewed 136 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 17, 2024, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.