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

1918

The Big Freeze

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

1. 1918 Marker

Inscription. In the early 20th century, the Mississippi River was WIDER and SLOWER than it is today. It was more inclined to freeze over during periods of cold weather. The WINTER OF 1918-1919 was especially frigid and the River was covered with ice for several weeks. A fun, but risky, activity was to walk across the frozen surface of the River. Some drove a team of horses and wagon across the ice or occasionally an automobile as you can see if you look closely at this panel. Others chose to walk across the slippery surface..

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

Location. 37° 18.259′ N, 89° 31.067′ W. Marker is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in Cape Girardeau County. It is on North Water Street south of Themis Street, on the left when traveling south. The marker stands along the Missouri Wall of Fame along the Mississippi River Front. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 33 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: A different marker also named 1924 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 1916 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 1925 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 1909

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(a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 1927 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1880 (within shouting distance of this marker); Filburn & Sloan Commission House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1958 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.

Other markers no longer nearby. 1918 - 1919 (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1924 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1916 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1925 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1909 (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); 1880

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

2. 1918 Marker

(was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1958 (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 190 times since then and 73 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.