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

1793

Planning a City

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

1. 1793 Marker

Inscription.
In 1793, Spanish officials in St. Louis named LOUIS LORIMIER the Commandant of the District of Cape Girardeau. Shortly thereafter, the Spanish government sent Lorimier to establish a military post in Cape Girardeau, granting him the rights to settle and develop the land. The Spanish land grants totaled several thousand arpents: One arpent equaled 85 percent of an acre.

In this panel, Lorimier and his secretary BARTHELEMI COUSIN talk about land grants and distribution of land, laying out lot and street plans for a community on the wide, flat riverfront. Cousin was the engineer and surveyor who platted Cape Girardeau. The military post grew into a small riverfront village under Lorimier. In 1806, he donated four acres to establish a seat of justice.

Two years later in 1808, the community was incorporated as the town of Cape Girardeau. In the background is Lorimier's home and trading post. The RED HOUSE, a recreation of this building, is located two blocks south.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1793.

Location. 37° 18.343′ N,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

89° 31.053′ 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 left when traveling south 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: A different marker also named 1803 (a few steps from this marker); Pook's Turtles (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 1735 (a few steps from this marker);

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

2. 1793 Marker

a different marker also named 1804 (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 1821 (within shouting distance of this marker); Reflecting the River (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.

Other markers no longer nearby. 1793 (has been replaced with this marker); 1803 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); "Red Rover, Red Rover" (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); 1735 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1804 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1821 (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 159 times since then and 31 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.