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

1821

Missouri Statehood

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

1. 1821 Marker

Inscription. Following the Louisiana Purchase, many people from the south rapidly moved into this area, bringing the institution of slavery with them. In 1818, the territory of Missouri petitioned Congress for statehood as a SLAVE STATE, setting off a NATIONAL CRISIS. There were currently 11 slave states and 11 free states. To keep the balance of power in the Senate, Congress reached the dramatic MISSOURI COMPROMISE: The former Massachusetts territory of MAINE was admitted as a free state and Missouri joined as a slave state. On August 10, 1821, Missouri became the 24TH STATE of the Union.

In this panel, the whale and lighthouse represent the state of Maine, while the riverboat and river represent Missouri.

MARIE OLIVER is seen here, sewing the FIRST FLAG of the state of Missouri in Cape Girardeau.

The Legendary MIKE FINK
One of the first great characters traveling the Mississippi River was legendary keelboatman Mike Fink. KEELBOATS were wooden vessels 10 to 15 feet wide and up to 50 feet long that hauled passengers and freight. Larger than life, Fink was considered as great of a frontiersman and marksman as Davy Crockett

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and Daniel Boone. Fink was a renowned hunter, fighter and river man. Ironically, Fink died after shooting a tin cup off the head of a barroom challenger who fainted from the stress. The man's brother, believing Fink had shot his brother, promptly shot and killed Fink.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.

Location. 37° 18.321′ N, 89° 31.057′ W. Marker is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in Cape Girardeau County. It is on North Water Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located along the Mississippi River Tales Mural covering the downtown floodwall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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,

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

2. 1821 Marker

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 1804 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 1838 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 1803 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1861 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1863 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1793 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1870 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.

Other markers no longer nearby. 1821 (has been replaced with this marker); 1804 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1838 (was a few steps from 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); 1861 (was within shouting distance of this

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marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1863 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1793 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1870 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1875 (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. Old Marker At This Location also titled "1821".

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2024, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. This page has been viewed 136 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 21, 2024, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.