Cape Girardeau in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
1870
St. Vincent's Young Ladies Academy/Seminary
Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024
1. 1870 Marker
In 1839, St. Vincent's Young Ladies Academy was founded in Cape Girardeau by the Sisters of Loretto as a school for young women. It was ONE OF THE FIRST of its kind west of the Mississippi. Prior to closing in 1923, thousands of young ladies were educated at this Academy.
ST. VINCENT'S Seminary
St. Vincent's Male Academy was founded in 1838 and later evolved into St. Vincent's Seminary. In 1858, the Seminary changed its mission to training young men for priesthood. Here, young men from across the nation as well as Europe earned the equivalent of a high school education in preparation for advancement to St. Mary's of the Barrens Seminary in Perryville, MO, and Vincentian priesthood.
This image depicts the towering courts in which young men played HANDBALL. To the left is St. Vincent's Seminary. This building is now part of Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus, located just four blocks south of this panel.
Mark TWAIN
"Cape Girardeau is situated on a hillside and makes a handsome appearance... There was another college higher up on an airy summit - a bright new edifice, picturesquely and peculiarly towered and pinnacled - a sort of gigantic caster, with the cruets all complete. Uncle Mumford said that Cape Girardeau was the Athens of Missouri and contained several
this page online
-An excerpt from Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain
On his journey down river, Twain was describing the Third District Normal School, later known as Southeast Missouri State University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 37° 18.298′ N, 89° 31.06′ W. Marker is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in Cape Girardeau County. It is on North Water Street north of Themis Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located along the Mississippi River Tales Mural covering the downtown floodwall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1870 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 1875 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 1863 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 1861 (a few steps from this marker); The Mississippi River (within shouting distance of this marker); Justice for the Common Man (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1838 (within shouting distance of this marker); Filburn & Sloan Commission House (within shouting
Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024
2. 1870 Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. 1870 (has been replaced with this marker); 1875 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1863 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1861 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1838 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1880 (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 21, 2024, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. This page has been viewed 154 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 21, 2024, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
