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

Cape Girardeau River Crossings

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012

1. Cape Girardeau River Crossings Marker

Inscription. In the 1790s, the Spanish governor granted Louis Lorimier permission to operate a ferry service at Cape Girardeau. Thereafter, ferry operators continued to shuttle people and products across the Mississippi River until 1928 when a new, privately built bridge ended the ferryboat era. Captain A.C. Jaynes was the last of these operators.

Located at the north end of the River Campus Terrace Park, the 1928 bridge operated first as a toll bridge and later as a state roadway. The bridge closed on December 13, 2003 when the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge opened.

Over 4000 feet long and 300 feet high, this cable-stayed bridge is designed to carry upwards of 26,000 vehicles per day and continues the vital and historic link between southeast Missouri and southern Illinois.

Erected by Southeast Missouri State University.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1793.

Location. 37° 17.753′ N, 89° 31.226′ W. Marker is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in Cape Girardeau County. Marker can be reached from Aquasmi Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is in a park on Southeast University Missouri - River Campus. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cape Girardeau MO 63701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

are within walking distance of this marker. St Vincent's Seminary and Southeast Missouri State University (a few steps from this marker); Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company (a few steps from this marker); Cape Girardeau and the Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); River Commerce (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Champion Beech Tree (about 500 feet away); Cape La Croix Creek (approx. 0.3 miles away); Don Louis Lorimier / El Camino Real (approx. 0.3 miles away); Old St. Vincent's Church (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Girardeau.

Cape Girardeau Bridge (what is left of the bridge) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012

2. Cape Girardeau Bridge (what is left of the bridge)

Erected 1927 by The Cape Girardeau Bridge Co. ------------------------ Harrington, Howard and Ash Consulting Engineers ------------------- American Bridge Co. The U.G.I. Contracting Co. Contractors

Cape Girardeau Bridge Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012

3. Cape Girardeau Bridge Marker

Erected 1927 by The Cape Girardeau Bridge Co. ------------------------ Harrington, Howard and Ash Consulting Engineers ------------------- American Bridge Co. The U.G.I. Contracting Co. Contractors

Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012

4. Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012

5. Cape Girardeau River Crossings Marker

Marker is located on far left.

Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012

6. Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 712 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 23, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.