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

1916

The Great Fire

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

1. 1916 Marker

Inscription.
The biggest fire in the history of Cape Girardeau was on MARCH 15, 1916. The city was wakened by the shriek of a steamboat whistle early that morning. The blaze began south of Broadway, engulfing the TERMINAL HOTEL, Buckner-Ragsdale store and Frisco Railroad Depot. Additional railcars and equipment arrived via the railroad to assist in the evacuation of goods from other downtown structures.

The fire then spread north across Broadway to engulf the RIVERVIEW HOTEL, one of the oldest and largest buildings at that location and the most well-known hotel between St. Louis, MO, and Memphis, TN. Cape Girardeau lost its two major hotels in this fire. Later, the MARQUETTE HOTEL would be constructed on Broadway, safely away from the threat of fire.

MARQUETTE BUILDING
Formerly a hotel, this building still stands and is located three blocks west on Broadway.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 37° 18.267′ N, 89° 31.068′ 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 east. Located on Missouri Wall of Fame along the Missouri River Front. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 36 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named 1909 (here, next to this marker); 1918 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 1880 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 1924 (within shouting distance of this marker); Filburn & Sloan Commission House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1925 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mississippi River (within shouting distance of this marker); Justice for the Common Man (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.

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

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

2. 1916 Marker

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 228 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.