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

1875

River Commerce

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

1. 1875 Marker

Inscription. Before the arrival of the railroad, the Mississippi River was the COMMERCIAL LIFELINE of Cape Girardeau. The docking of PACKET BOATS, loaded with goods and passengers, was an exciting event in the community. Commonly 60 to 80 feet long and more than 14 feet wide," packet boats were a more comfortable means of travel for passengers than a bone-jarring stagecoach ride. These boats fell out of favor as railroad travel improved.

In this depiction, prominent local merchant COL. GEORGE THILENIUS observes a riverboat crew at work during the height of riverboat commerce in the 1880s. The deck hands hauling barrels and sacks of grain are ROUSTABOUTS, longshoremen of the steamboat era that handled cargo and worked around the docks. It's likely that the grain was destined for Thilenius' flour mill on Broadway. There were three other mills in Cape Girardeau circa 1880.

LONGVIEW
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, this home was built and owned by Col. George Thilenius. Constructed from 1871-73, it is believed to be the only house of its type and period surviving in the area. Longview is located on Whitner St.

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about 1.4 miles from here.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.

Location. 37° 18.292′ N, 89° 31.061′ 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,

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 1870

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

2. 1875 Marker

(a few steps from this marker); The Mississippi River (a few steps from this marker); Justice for the Common Man (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 1880 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1863 (within shouting distance of this marker); Filburn & Sloan Commission House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1861 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1909 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.

Other markers no longer nearby. 1875 (has been replaced with this marker); 1870 (was a few steps from 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); 1863 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1861 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1909 (was within shouting distance of this marker but

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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 "1875".

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 139 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.