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

Nature's River

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

1. Natures River Marker

Inscription.
The Mississippi River Valley is a vast area that drains nearly half of the continental U.S. The rich soil and ample water of this wetland made it a haven for plants and animals.

The Hawthorn Tree prospered in this environment. Its brilliant blossoms. and bright red berries became the Missouri state flower. It is an ancient plant and source of legend and myth.

The colorful Carolina Parakeet was the only parrot native to eastern North America and existed in large numbers along rivers and in wetlands. Early settlers used the parakeets for food and adorned their hats and wreaths with their bright feathers. Once prevalent in the River Valley, the last known specimen perished in captivity at Cincinnati Zoo in 1918 and the species was declared extinct in 1939. Images of these birds exist in pre-historic art.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment • Natural Features • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.

Location. 37° 18.375′ N, 89° 31.048′ W. Marker is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in Cape Girardeau County. It is on North Water

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Street north of Broadway Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located along Water Street in front of the Mural Wall next to the Mississippi River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 202 Main 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: 1200 (a few steps from this marker); Reflecting the River (within shouting distance of this marker); 1673 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1673 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1735 (within shouting distance of this marker); Pook's Turtles (within shouting

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

2. Natures River Marker

distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1793 (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. Nature's River (has been replaced with this marker); 1735 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); "Red Rover, Red Rover" (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); 1793 (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 111 times since then and 14 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.