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

1880

Coming of the Railroad

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

1. 1880 Marker

Inscription. After earlier attempts to bring a railroad to Cape Girardeau failed, LOUIS HOUCK, a local lawyer, historian, author and now railroad builder, made an arrangement with creditors based on his ability to build the FIRST RAILROAD LINE from Delta, MO, to Cape Girardeau by midnight on January 1, 1881 - just SIX MONTHS AWAY. The distance was approximately 16.5 MILES. If Houck could do so, the creditors would grant him clear title to the properties of earlier failed railroads.

Very close to the deadline, the workers ran out of track about 1,000 FEET from Cape Girardeau. Houck was determined to accomplish the task: He ordered the engine to run to the end of the uncompleted track so workers could TEAR UP THE RAILS behind the train and use them to complete the track into the city. According to stories, the train came into Cape Girardeau THREE MINUTES before the deadline arrived. Cape Girardeau had a railroad!

RAILROAD TODAY
The railroad lines in Cape Girardeau are frequented by trains to this day. The horn of the engine can be heard from miles away as it approaches downtown.

Topics. This historical marker is listed

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in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 37° 18.279′ N, 89° 31.063′ 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: The Mississippi River (a few steps from this marker); Filburn & Sloan Commission House (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 1909 (a few steps

Photographed by Edward Troxel, November 16, 2024

2. 1880 Marker

from this marker); a different marker also named 1916 (a few steps from this marker); Justice for the Common Man (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 1875 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1870 (within shouting distance of this marker); 1918 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.

Other markers no longer nearby. 1880 (has been replaced with this marker); 1909 (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1916 (was a few steps from 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); 1870 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1918 - 1919 (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 "1880".

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 168 times since then and 26 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.