Historical Markers in
Cape Girardeau County, Missouri

1673 1735 1793 1803 1804 1821 1838 1861 1863 1870 1875 1880 1909 1916 1918-1919 1924 1925 1927 1958 1964 1980 2003 Bollinger Mill/Burfordville Covered Bridge Cape Girardeau Cape Girardeau and the Railroad Cape Girardeau Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial Cape Girardeau River Crossings Cape La Croix Creek Captains of Industry Champion Beech Tree Don Louis Lorimier / El Camino Real Dwarfing the Titanic Entertainers Father Jacques Marquette First College Building / Erste Lehranstalt George Drouillard George Washington Carver Hollywood Literary Giants / Missouri Mule Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company Mark Twain / Missouri Generals / George Caleb Bingham Missouri Mule / The Wild West Muralist / Broadcasters Nature's River Old Lorimier Cemetery Old St. Vincent's Church Pook's Turtles River Commerce St Vincent's Seminary and Southeast Missouri State University Telephone Service The Artists The Civil War / The Boys of Summer / Sports Dazzlers The Lewis and Clark Expedition Across Missouri The Mississippi River The Red House The Red House Interpretive Center Title Panel Visionary Women / Entrepreneurs "Historical Marker" "Red Rover, Red Rover"
The Missouri River is the longest river in North America, stretching for 2,341 miles from its source in Montana to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico.
Missouri random facts
Cape Girardeau County, located in the southeastern part of Missouri, has a rich history that dates back to the early 18th century. The area was initially inhabited by the Mississippian Native American culture, who left behind ancient mounds and artifacts that provide insight into their way of life.

In the late 17th century, French explorers such as Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet ventured through the region, followed by French settlers who established a trading post in the area in the early 18th century. The town of Cape Girardeau was officially founded in 1793, named after Ensign Jean Baptiste de Girardot, a French officer who helped establish the trading post.

During the 19th century, Cape Girardeau County played a significant role in the early development of the state of Missouri. The area became an important transportation hub, with the Mississippi River serving as a vital trade route for steamboats carrying goods and passengers. The river also facilitated the growth of agriculture, as local farmers could easily transport their crops to markets in nearby St. Louis.

The county was heavily influenced by the Civil War, with both Union and Confederate forces occupying the region at various times. Cape Girardeau played a strategic military role due to its location, and saw skirmishes and battles throughout the war. Many buildings were damaged or destroyed during this period, but the area began to recover and rebuild after the war ended.

Today, Cape Girardeau County is a thriving community known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, historic sites, and natural beauty. The county continues to evolve and grow, while also preserving its rich history and heritage.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Cape Girardeau County, Missouri.

  • 1793: Cape Girardeau County is established as one of the five original counties of the newly formed Missouri Territory.
  • 1806: The first permanent settlement is established near what is now the city of Cape Girardeau.
  • 1812: The first courthouse in the county is constructed.
  • 1850: The first railroad reaches Cape Girardeau County, spurring economic growth in the region.
  • 1861-1865: Cape Girardeau County sees significant activity during the American Civil War, with both Union and Confederate forces occupying the area at different times.
  • 1873: The city of Cape Girardeau is officially incorporated.
  • 1903: Southeast Missouri State University is established in Cape Girardeau County.
  • 1928: The Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge, connecting Cape Girardeau to Illinois, opens.
  • 1973: The Trail of Tears State Park is established to preserve the memory of the forced removal of Native Americans in the 19th century.
  • 2005: The catastrophic Flood of 2005 affects Cape Girardeau County and much of the surrounding region.