Cape Girardeau in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Cape Girardeau and the Railroad
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012
1. Cape Girardeau and the Railroad Marker
After the golden age of the steamboat, port cities like Cape Girardeau suffered as railroads provided alternate means of transportation.Responding to the post-Civil War railroad boom, a syndicated of local business leaders formed the Cape Girardeau and State Line Railroad Company in 1869 and sold bonds to capitalize the enterprise. However, no track was ever laid, the funds disappeared, and the company went bankrupt leaving the City in great debt.
In 1880 Louis Houck, a local lawyer and entrepreneur, formed the Cape Girardeau Railway Company to link Cape and the Iron Mountain Railway at Delta, Missouri. He formed the Mississippi and Arkansas Railroad in 1894 to connect Cape with the St. Louis, Kennett and Southern Railroads.
Financial and legal difficulties forced Houck's companies into receivership. After acquiring Houck's former holdings in 1902, the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway Company began regular service between Cape Girardeau and St. Louis in time for the World's Fair.
Erected by Southeast Missouri State University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in
this page online
Location. 37° 17.783′ N, 89° 31.209′ 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 are within walking distance of this marker. St Vincent's Seminary and Southeast Missouri State University (within shouting distance of this marker); Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Cape Girardeau River Crossings (within shouting distance of this marker); River Commerce (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Champion Beech Tree (about 300 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.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 12, 2012
2. Louis Houck
Special Collections and Archives, Kent Library
Southeast Missouri State University
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 718 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 23, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
