Historical Markers and War Memorials in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Jackson is the county seat for Cape Girardeau County
Cape Girardeau is in Cape Girardeau County
Cape Girardeau County(88) ► ADJACENT TO CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY Bollinger County(3) ► Perry County(21) ► Scott County(6) ► Stoddard County(12) ► Alexander County, Illinois(34) ► Union County, Illinois(19) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
"Red Rover" was the first hospital ship of the United States Navy, the first Navy ship that women served on and the apparent namesake of the popular children's game. It was also build and launched in Cape Girardeau in 1859.
"Red Rover" was a . . . — — Map (db m58928) HM
On North Water Street north of Broadway Street, on the right when traveling north.
In 1673 Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet led the first French expedition down the Mississippi. Joliet was the explorer; Marquette was the missionary and chaplain. The French hoped to find a rumored big river to the south that might lead to . . . — — Map (db m107728) HM
On North Water Street north of Broadway Street, on the right when traveling north.
Sieur Jean Baptiste Girardot established a trading post in the vicinity of Cape Rock in the middle of the 18th century. This remote outpost became a gathering
place for river travelers. By 1765, maps of the Mississippi River identified the bend in . . . — — Map (db m107727) HM
On North Water Street at Broadway Street, on the left when traveling south on North Water Street.
In 1793 Spanish officials in St. Louis named Louis Lorimier the Commandant of the District of Cape Girardeau. Shortly thereafter, he received Spanish land grants totaling several thousand arpents (1 arpent= .85 acres).In 1806 Lorimier and his . . . — — Map (db m107725) HM
On North Water Street south of Broadway Street, on the left when traveling south.
Between 1803 and 1806, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led President Jefferson's Corps of Discovery to the great American West. On November 23, 1803, they stopped at Cape Girardeau to deliver letters of introduction to Louis Lorimier. Captain . . . — — Map (db m107721) HM
On North Water Street south of Broadway Street, on the left when traveling south.
In 1803 the Mississippi River Valley was an important area in international diplomacy and intrigue. Napoleon's brothers, Lucien and Joseph, sought to dissuade him from selling the entire Louisiana Territory to the newly established United States. . . . — — Map (db m107718) HM
On North Water Street south of Broadway Street, on the left when traveling south.
When the territory of Missouri asked for statehood, it sought admission as a slave state since there were already many African-American slaves in the territory. Missouri was granted permission, but would be the only area in the Louisiana Territory . . . — — Map (db m107715) HM
On North Water Street south of Broadway Street, on the left when traveling south.
In 1830 the U.S. Congress passed the Indian Removal Act which led to the forced removal of eastern tribes to "Indian Territory" west of the Mississippi (later the state of Oklahoma). In the autumn of 1838, sixteen separate groups of Cherokee, about . . . — — Map (db m213200) HM
On North Water Street south of Broadway Street, on the left when traveling south.
This view of the Mississippi River is from Fort A, one of the four forts constructed by Union forces in the summer of 1861. These forts, which encircled Cape Girardeau, provided protection from attack from either land or water. Fort A was on the . . . — — Map (db m107711) HM
On North Water Street south of Broadway Street, on the left when traveling south.
An exciting incident occurred at the "Battle of Cape Girardeau" on April 23, 1863 when Confederate forces attacked from the west and south of town. During the battle several Confederate cannon balls pierced the roof of the residence of Alfred Lacey . . . — — Map (db m107708) HM
On North Water Street south of Broadway Street, on the left when traveling south.
St. Vincent's Young Ladies' Academy was founded in 1839 by the Sisters of Loretto as a school for young women. Located at the corner of Spanish and Good Hope streets, it was one of the first schools for women west of the Mississippi. Prior to its . . . — — Map (db m107707) HM
On North Water Street at Themis Street, on the left when traveling south on North Water Street.
Before the coming of the railroad, the Mississippi River was the commercial lifeline of Cape Girardeau. The arrival of the packet boats, loaded with goods for local and regional residents, was an exciting event in the community. To the
left of the . . . — — Map (db m107706) HM
On North Water Street at Themis Street, on the left when traveling south on North Water Street.
After earlier attempts to build a railroad to Cape Girardeau failed, local attorney Louis Houck made an arrangement with creditors to bring a railroad into the city by midnight of January 1,1881. If he could do so, he would acquire clear title to . . . — — Map (db m107752) HM
The first sitting President to visit Cape Girardeau was William Howard Taft, who arrived on the riverfront in the early morning of October 26, 1909. He was part of a 16-boat flotilla carrying cabinet members, Congressmen, governors, river . . . — — Map (db m107865) HM
The city was awakened to the shriek of a steamboat whistle early on the morning of March 15, 1916, to the biggest fire in Cape's history. The blaze began south of Broadway engulfing the Terminal Hotel, the Buckner-Ragsdale Store, the Frisco Railroad . . . — — Map (db m192158) HM
In the early 20th century, the Mississippi River was a wider and slower river than today. Because it was slower, it was more inclined to freeze over in periods of cold weather.
The winter of 1918-1919 was especially frigid, and the river was . . . — — Map (db m107863) HM
For most of the 19th century and the first third of the 20th, steamboats were vital to the economic livelihood of Cape Girardeau and southeast Missouri. Three steamboats bore the name "Cape Girardeau," the last being christened here in 1924. . . . — — Map (db m192159) HM
Two of the most exciting new trends of the 1920s were jazz and ballroom dancing. The riverboats were ideal locations for both. Here, Jess Stacy on piano and Raymond F. "Peg" Meyer on saxophone, Berg Snider on drums, and Pete Lowry on banjo performed . . . — — Map (db m107861) HM
The great flood of 1927 remains the flood by which all Mississippi River floods are measured. The devastating effect upon the lower Mississippi River resulted in the Jadwin Plan, which sought to control the river with a coordinated system of levees . . . — — Map (db m192157) HM
The Mississippi River provides an abundant supply of sand to Cape Girardeau. This great resource has enhanced the community's ability to construct such large concrete projects as the A.C. Brase Arena Building, the Common Pleas Courthouse steps, . . . — — Map (db m107859) HM
After centuries of floods, the Mississippi River flood-wall provided protection from the floodwaters that periodically ravaged Cape Girardeau. Construction began on the massive flood-control project in 1956 and was completed in 1964 at the cost of . . . — — Map (db m107857) HM
Cape Girardeau has a close relationship with the Mississippi River. For 21 years Riverfest celebrated the fact that the community was on the river and of the river. The festival featured music, games, food, fireworks, crafts, and special events. . . . — — Map (db m107856) HM
After 15 years of planning and 7 years of construction, the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge opened to traffic on December 13, 2003. The bridge was named for Bill Emerson, an eight-term Congressman who had championed the legislation that brought about . . . — — Map (db m192156) HM
Near Fort Street at Westport Street, on the right when traveling west.
Reportedly Fort D was armed with three 32-pounder smoothbore cannon, Model 1829, and two 24-pounders, Model 1819. A 32-pounder can fire a solid round shot weighing 32 pounds for nearly a mile. Such a shot required a load of 8 pounds of gunpowder. . . . — — Map (db m236818) HM
On South Main Street just south of Merriwether Street, on the right when traveling south.
This building was constructed in 1937 by the Hecht family, the Jewish Community and local support from business and individuals alike. This synagogue served all of southeast Missouri’s Jewish citizens. With its Islamic influences, ceramic glazed . . . — — Map (db m235999) HM
Near Fort Street at Westport Street, on the right when traveling west.
Rarely being on alert and never under attack, boredom and disease were the biggest enemies of the soldiers serving at Fort D. Soldiers passed their spare time reading, writing letters, playing cards, sewing, gambling, or playing music. Games played . . . — — Map (db m236820) HM
On North Kingshighway Street (U.S. 61) at South County Park Road, on the right when traveling south on North Kingshighway Street.
[side 1] Founded as an Indian trading post, 1793, by French Canadian Louis Lorimier. Probably named for Girardot, a trader at Cape Rock. In 1795 Lorimier became commandant of Cape Girardeau District, most American of the 5 . . . — — Map (db m179995) HM
Near Aquasmi Street, on the right when traveling south.
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 . . . — — Map (db m58672) HM
Near North Kingshighway Street (U.S. 61) at County Park Drive, on the right when traveling north.
[northwest side]Maj. Gen. John V. Cox Vice Adm. Arthur L. Willard [southwest side]Gen. Seth J. McKee Cpt. Stephen W. Thompson Gen. Roscoe Robinson Jr. [south side]PFC. Richard G. Wilson Congressional Medal of . . . — — Map (db m179990) HM WM
Near Aquasmi Street, on the right when traveling south.
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 . . . — — Map (db m58667) HM
In 1699, fathers Montigny, Davion, and St. Cosme, French missionaries erected a cross where this stream entered the Mississippi and prayed that this might be the beginning of Christianity among the Indians.
The stream has ever since been known as . . . — — Map (db m58683) HM
August Busch (1899-1989) was born in St. Louis, MO.
He headed what has become the world’s largest brewery, Anheuser-Busch. In 1953, he purchased the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and inspired them to compete in six World Series from . . . — — Map (db m192129) HM
On Morgan Oak Street, on the right when traveling east.
This stately Beech is one of the largest and oldest trees in the State of Missouri. A registered "champion" tree, it is approximately 200 years old. Quite possibly it was alive at the time of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
The American Beech . . . — — Map (db m58665) HM
Near Fort Street at Westport Street, on the right when traveling west.
Work on Fort D began on August 6, 1861 under the direction of Lieutenant John W. Powell of Illinois. Later, Powell recruited a company of loyal Cape Girardeau men to serve in the Union army. Since Powell was from Illinois, these men were mustered . . . — — Map (db m236816) HM
Deep-water ships cannot sail the Mississippi River. The river is
frequently too shallow, and its strong currents would play havoc
with ships designed to navigate oceans. At its headwaters, the
Mississippi is less than three feet deep. Nor . . . — — Map (db m107744) HM
Josephine Baker (1906-1975) was born
in St. Louis, MO. Her creative, exotic acts
made her a singing star from New York
to Paris. During WWII, she worked with
the Red Cross, gathering intelligence
and entertaining troops in Africa and . . . — — Map (db m192145) HM
On North Water Street at Themis Street, on the right when traveling south on North Water Street.
Built in the mid-1800s, this is one of the oldest buildings still standing on what was once known as “Warehouse Row.” With easy access to the Mississippi River steamboats & the railroad, the businesses located here made major contributions to the . . . — — Map (db m236099) HM
Near Fort Street at Westport Street, on the right when traveling west.
“Fort D,” one of the four forts erected in Cape Girardeau by Union forces in 1861, is the only one preserved. Its site southeast of the town was chosen to command the entire bend of the river southward, and also the river road from downstream. . . . — — Map (db m236773) HM
On Kiwanis Drive at Maria Louise Lane, on the right when traveling west on Kiwanis Drive.
Fifty Years of Achievement This tablet is dedicated to George and Fred Naeter founders and publishers of the Southeast Missourian as a grateful tribute to their tireless, unselfish and devoted efforts to make ours a better and . . . — — Map (db m236199) HM
Near Water Street north of William Street, on the right when traveling north.
George Drouillard was chief hunter and interpreter on the Lewis and Clark Expedition Corps of Discovery. He was the son of a Frenchman and Shawnee woman as well as nephew of Louis Lorimier, Commandant of the Cape Girardeau District. Drouillard lived . . . — — Map (db m51818) HM
George Washington Carver (1864-1943) was born in Diamond Grove, MO. As an agricultural chemist and inventor at Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University, in Alabama, he developed a system of crop rotation. He also discovered 300 uses for . . . — — Map (db m192155) HM
Near Fort Street at Westport Street, on the right when traveling west.
In April 1861, Ulysses Simpson Grant, a graduate of West Point and a former army officer, was out of the army and clerking in his father's store in Galena, IL. Grant's loyalties were clear: "We have a government and laws and a flag, and they . . . — — Map (db m236791) HM
On Broadway Street just west of North Fountain Street, on the right when traveling west.
The H&H building was built in 1908 by J.H. Himmelberger & W.H. Harrison, two of Cape Girardeau's most prominent businessmen. It was the first steel reinforced structure built in Cape Girardeau and has served as a commercial center for the business . . . — — Map (db m236185) HM
Ginger Rogers (1911-1958) was born in Independence, MO. Nicknamed Feathers, she was a dancer extraordinaire and attained real stardom paired with Fred Astaire. She got her start in vaudeville at the age 14, and her first big movie hit was 42nd . . . — — Map (db m192118) HM
On North Lorimier Street just north of Themis Street, on the right when traveling north.
In 1911, Cape Girardeau members of the Missouri Chapter of the Woman's Relief Corps, an auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic, commissioned a memorial to the fallen soldiers of the City and County. Dedicated on May 30, 1911, the memorial . . . — — Map (db m236269) HM
On Themis Street just east of North Water Street when traveling east.
When Cape Girardeau was originally platted in 1806, a square was dedicated to public, common use. Court was held in a simple, wooden structure on Themis St. several blocks west of the riverfront. Under English law, violations against government . . . — — Map (db m236285) HM
Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957)
was born in Lund, WI. In 1894
she moved to Mansfield, MO.
where in the 1930s and 1940s
she published her best selling
Little House books chronicling
her pioneer life. These books
later became the basis for . . . — — Map (db m192161) HM
Near Aquasmi Street, on the right when traveling south.
Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company
One of the most unusual WWI Mississippi River transportation stories concerns the Manitowoc [Wisconsin] Shipbuilding Co., the nation's only inland builder of submarines.
In December 1940, the U.S. Navy contracted . . . — — Map (db m58664) HM
Near Fort Street at Westport Street, on the right when traveling west.
At the beginning of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln requested states raise 75,000 volunteers for troops. In response, the 1st Nebraska Volunteer Infantry Regiment was organized during the early summer of 1862, partially, in order to . . . — — Map (db m236817) HM
Samuel Clemens (1835- 1910), who wrote under the pseudonym Mark Twain, was born in Florida, MO. His stories about Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn and friends reflected his love for his boyhood hometown of Hannibal, MO. Unconventional in both his life and in . . . — — Map (db m192162) HM
On Broadway Street just east of North Fountain Street, on the left when traveling east.
1928 — The former Marquette Hotel was completed around the time the first bridge opened linking Cape Girardeau to Illinois. The bridge boosted Cape Girardeau's economy and became a popular place for traveling business men and families to stop . . . — — Map (db m236200) HM
On Water Street at Merriwether Street on Water Street.
Without the floodwall and pump stations, Cape Girardeau's historic downtown area would not stay dry during flooding. The entire flood protection system is critical in keeping the district dry and safe. The combination of earthen levees and . . . — — Map (db m236283) HM
Missouri Mule The mule was adopted as Missouri's state animal in 1995. Generally considered smarter, hardier, and more sure-footed than a horse, mules have been used or pulling wagons and other endurance-related task. For many years Missouri . . . — — Map (db m107853) HM
Muralist Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975) was born in Neosho, MO. An America regionalist painter, he is best known for his mural paintings depicting common everyday scenes of Midwestern life. Some of his most famous paintings and murals are . . . — — Map (db m192117) HM
Before humans lived in this area, the Mississippi River Valley was a great wide wetland teaming with plant and animal life. The hawthorn plant, with its brilliant blossoms and bright red berries, became the Missouri state flower. The Carolina . . . — — Map (db m107731) HM
Cape Girardeau's
Oldest Shrine
Earliest Inscription 1808
In this old cemetery
gift of
Don Louis Lorimier
lie pioneers, founders, builders and defenders of our country. — — Map (db m58684) HM
Near South Main Street at William Street, on the left when traveling north.
On this site in 1833, Father John Timon, a Vincention Priest, celebrated mass in a warehouse of Don Louis Lorimier.
The first St. Vincent's Church, constructed in 1838, was destroyed by a tornado in 1850. Re-built a year later, the foundation . . . — — Map (db m52039) HM
On Broadway Street at North Lorimier Street, on the left when traveling east on Broadway Street.
Site of the first hostelry in Cape Girardeau, built in 1806 by Capt. Wm. Ogle, one of the earliest west of the Mississippi River. In 1868 the Turner Society erected the present building as a turnverein or a community center. Masonic Order owned . . . — — Map (db m236098) HM
Near North Kingshighway Street (U.S. 61) at County Park Drive, on the right when traveling north.
In honored memory of Pfc. Richard Wilson 187th Airborne Infantry 11th Division, U.S. Army 1931-1950 Posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Nation’s highest award for gallantry and service beyond the call of duty, and . . . — — Map (db m236981) HM WM
On North Water Street at Broadway Street, on the right when traveling north on North Water Street.
An ironclad was a wooden warship of the 19-century having iron or steel armor plating. The Confederate's ironclad ,"Monitor" (formerly Merrimack"), and the Union's ironclad, "Virginia" fought off the coast of Virginia in March of 1862. However, . . . — — Map (db m58930) HM
Near Fort Street at Westport Street, on the right when traveling west.
In order to help dissuade potential attackers, some Union soldiers shaped and painted logs to make them look like cannons from a distance. Since these "cannons" could not fire, they were called “Quaker” cannons after the Quakers, a peaceable . . . — — Map (db m236822) HM
Near Broadway Street just east of North Water Street, on the left when traveling east.
The architectural heritage of Cape Girardeau is as rich as the city's 200-year history. Much of the early commerce and growth of Cape Girardeau was related to the river. As merchants prospered, their buildings and homes reflected the times. Today, . . . — — Map (db m236286) HM
Near Aquasmi Street, on the right when traveling south.
Known to Native Americans as "Messipi" ("Big River") or "Mee-zee-see-bee" ("Father of Waters"), the Mississippi River originates in Minnesota and terminates 2,348 miles later at the Gulf of Mexico.
The river played an integral part in the . . . — — Map (db m58669) HM
On Broadway Street just west of North Lorimier Street, on the right when traveling west.
Turner Hall, as this building was once known, was built in 1868 with contributions from members of the community. Designed by Nicholas Gonner, an architect, civil engineer and contractor in 1888, the Masons purchased Turner Hall & it became the . . . — — Map (db m236183) HM
Near Fort Street at Westport Street, on the right when traveling west.
After the Civil War, the forts and earthworks of Cape Girardeau slowly disappeared as the city grew. Finally, only Fort D remained. In the early 1900's the area surrounding the fort was developed as Fort D Highlands. A campaign by veterans, . . . — — Map (db m236814) HM
Terrace Park is located on the site where Father Odin of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian Fathers) established St. Vincent's Male Academy in 1838, which was followed shortly thereafter by St. Vincent's Seminary.
Often affectionately . . . — — Map (db m58663) HM
On Themis Street, 0 miles west of Main Street, on the right when traveling west.
1877 1896
Telephone Service
In 1877
The first long distance telephone line in Missouri was completed December 18, 1877 between Cape Girardeau and Jackson.
In 1896
Here in a 10' by 12' second floor room the city's first telephone . . . — — Map (db m38443) HM
Near Fort Street at Westport Street, on the right when traveling west.
The 20th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment was formed in northern Illinois in April and May of 1861. On July 10, 1861, the regiment disembarked from a steamer at Cape Girardeau, the first formal Union troops to arrive in this city. One of the . . . — — Map (db m236813) HM
On North Lorimier Street south of Broadway Street, on the left when traveling south.
The coming of the machine age had little effect on the production of faience tiles. After eight centuries of producing faience, man has had little success in changing the methods of producing beautiful pieces of timeless durability. So when the . . . — — Map (db m236238) HM
Chicago artist, Thomas Melvin, and his lead portrait artist, Cameron Pfiffner, directed the paintings of the Mississippi River Tales, Mural between April and November of 2004. Other members of the crew are listed under the paint brush.
Sponsor: . . . — — Map (db m107852) HM
The Civil War
Dred Scott (1795-1858) was born into slavery in Virginia and relocated with the family when it moved to St. Louis in 1830. In 1846, he sued to gain his freedom. After 11 years, in a landmark decision, he was denied his freedom . . . — — Map (db m192154) HM
Near North Kingshighway Street (U.S. 61) at County Park Drive, on the right when traveling north.
The Regiment can trace its heritage back to the 6th Missouri Infantry that fought in the Civil War on the side of the South. Missouri was a “border state” during that conflict. Initially, the Regiment was comprised of men from southeast Missouri. . . . — — Map (db m236985) HM
On South Main Street, on the right when traveling south.
On Nov. 23, 1803, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark arrived at Cape Girardeau, a trading post established in 1795 by Louis Lorimier, the Spanish-appointed Commandant of the Cape Girardeau District. Here, Lewis, co-commander of the expedition, left . . . — — Map (db m58675) HM
On Water Street at Themis Street, on the right when traveling north on Water Street.
"The Father of Water" has provided means of travel and commerce since early days. Indians, explorers, priests, traders, and settlers plied its current in canoes, dugouts, flatboats, keelboats, packets, and towboats.
Until the Civil War, Cape . . . — — Map (db m52040) HM
On South Main Street, on the right when traveling south.
Pierre-Louis de Lorimier, French-Canadian fur trader, Indian agent, and founder of Cape Girardeau, built the Red House in the late 1790s west of this location on what is now the parking lot of St. Vincent's Church.
The Red House served as the . . . — — Map (db m58678) HM
On South Main Street, on the right when traveling south.
The Red House Interpretive Center, under construction from 2002-2004, is a cooperative effort of the Cape Girardeau Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission and the City of Cape Girardeau. The project was funded in part through grants from the . . . — — Map (db m58674) HM
On North Lorimier Street at Broadway Street, on the left when traveling north on North Lorimier Street.
[Lorimier Street marker] Built in 1924-25 newspaper owners George & Fred Naeter wrote of their inspiration: “to add in a large way beauty and dignity to one’s town is to express affection for the community and confidence in its future.” . . . — — Map (db m236100) HM
.
This panel features the Missouri State flag, which was designed by Cape Girardeau native, Maria Watkins Oliver. It was officially adopted March 22, 1913. Also represented are the official tree of Missouri - the dogwood, the official bird of . . . — — Map (db m107851) HM
Near Fort Street at Westport Street, on the right when traveling west.
During the winter, some of the soldiers stationed here dug shelters into the hillside. One soldier reported that his “mess” of four men built a covered shelter measuring ten feet long by eight feet wide. The top was covered with dirt, and a . . . — — Map (db m236821) HM
Near Fort Street at Westport Street, on the right when traveling west.
Their names may not be recorded in the official records, but thousands of women volunteered their time, labor and money during the Civil War. As a teenager, Julia Gill, a future resident of Cape Girardeau, volunteered her services as a nurse, . . . — — Map (db m236815) HM
Rosie O’Neill (1874-1944) was born in
Wilkes-Barre, PA. Her family later moved
to the Missouri Ozarks. She was a
commercial artist and creator of the
Kewpie doll, the first time ever that
merchandising was based on a comic
character. . . . — — Map (db m192146) HM
