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

1964

The Great Wall

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

1. 1964 Marker

Inscription.
After centuries of floods, construction on the Mississippi River FLOODWALL began in 1956 to protect the city from the waters that periodically ravaged the town. The massive flood-control project was completed eight years later in 1964 at a cost of more than $4 MILLION. The system of earthen levees and concrete walls parallels the River for 7,210 FEET. - approximately 1.3 miles - and rises as high as 16 FEET. It includes two pumping stations, five gates and six drainage structures.
The towboat pictured here is the ELIZABETH ANN, owned locally by the Erlbacher family.

HISTORIC FLOODS
The floodwall proved its worth by protecting the downtown from the huge floods of 1973 and 1993 as recorded on this section of the floodgate located near this panel.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Environment • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1964.

Location. 37° 18.23′ N, 89° 31.073′ W. Marker is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in Cape Girardeau County. It is on North Water Street, on the right when traveling south. Located on Missouri Wall of Fame along the Missouri River Front. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20 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 7 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named 1958 (a few steps from this marker);

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a different marker also named 1980 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 1927 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 2003 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1925 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1924 (within shouting distance of this marker); Artists Panel (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.

Other markers no longer nearby. 1964 (has been replaced with this marker); 1958 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1980 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1927 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 2003 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1925

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

2. 1964 Marker

(was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1924 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Artists (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1918 - 1919 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2024, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. This page has been viewed 145 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 20, 2024, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.