Cape Girardeau Area Guide

Cape Girardeau is a truly unique place, most renowned for being the world’s only inland cape. The city of Cape Girardeau lies within both Cape Girardeau and Scott counties in Southeast Missouri and is home to approximately 37,370 people. Cape Girardeau recognizes its rich history and proudly displays it in the 39 local historic sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Cape Girardeau is the largest city in southeast Missouri and Cape Girardeau County. Discover more about this wondrous city by visiting Cape Girardeau’s official website. http://visitcape.com/index.php

History

Cape Girardeau began its long history as a temporary trading post founded by French soldier, Jean Baptiste de Girardot, in 1733. Girardot chose a promontory rock overlooking the Mississippi River as the site for his trading post. Trappers and river travelers soon discovered this place and called it "Cape Girardot."

The man responsible for the founding of the city of Cape Girardeau was a French-Canadian named Louis Lorimier. Lorimie came to the area from Ohio in 1793, commissioned to establish a military post from which to trade and interact with the Native Americans. Lorimier served as the city's first ambassador, the city thriving under his intelligent government and continuing promotion. In 1803, Missouri came into American possession with the Louisiana Purchase. As a direct result of this purchase, Louis Lorimier donated four acres for the establishment of a seat of justice. In 1806, the city was platted and in 1808 was incorporated into a town.

Cape Girardeau became a river boom town with the arrival of the steamboat in 1835. It soon became the busiest port between St. Louis and Memphis. The Riverfront thrived until the Civil War, bustling with activity as a commercial center and as an inviting port.

During the Civil War, Cape Girardeau was occupied by Union forces who built four forts to protect the city and river. For a brief period in 1863, General Ulysses S. Grant set up headquarters in Cape Girardeau before moving his headquarters to Cairo, Illinois. A minor skirmish was fought just west of town in 1863.

After the Civil War, Cape Girardeau continued to grow. Soon public education was established in 1867, followed by the introduction of rail service, and advances in agriculture and industry. In 1873, a university was founded in Cape Girardeau that is now Southeast Missouri State University. Discover this and more on Cape Girardeau’s rich history by visiting: http://www.cityofcapegirardeau.org/AboutCape/Historical%20Facts.aspx

Attractions & Activities

Golf
Cape Girardeau offers visitors with a variety of golf courses to suit their preferences. Cape Girardeau has two driving ranges, one 3-par golf course, one 18-hole regulation golf course, one private course in the city, and two semi-private courses in the area. Please click here to see a list of these golf courses and their information. http://visitcape.com/what-to-see-do/golf.html.

Cape River Heritage Museum
The Cape River Heritage Museum is a local landmark that dates back to 1908. The building where the Cape River Heritage Museum is now housed previously was a police station and fire station. Today, the museum features an array of changing exhibits about the people and events of southeast Missouri. Learn more by visiting the Museum’s official website at: http://www.caperiverheritagemuseum.com.

John Wesley Powell’s Fort D
Built as one of four forts at the beginning of the Civil War around Cape Girardeau, Fort D is the only fort that remains today. Built under the orders of General John Frèmont, Fort D was designed by German-American engineers from St. Louis. Fort D featured as many as five cannons, the largest of which could fire a 32-pound cannon ball. The fort was manned throughout the Civil War.

For a more complete listing of Cape Girardeau’s attractions and activities, please visit: Cape Girardeau's attractions

Parks & Recreation

Arena Park
Arena Park is a 90 acre community park that is home to the A.C. Brase Arena, which serves as a recreation and rental facility, as well as the administrative office for the Parks and Recreation Department. Arena Park also houses 10 shelters, 60 picnic tables, 16 softball/baseball fields, four tennis courts, one basketball court, and one rugby court. The abundance of facilities and size of Arena Park leads it to be the site of many annual public events.

Capaha Park
Capaha Park is Cape Girardeau’s oldest park, which was acquired in 1914. The park contains Capaha Municipal Pool, three ball fields, one basketball court, three play structures, two restrooms facilities, three shelters, one bandshell, the Rose Garden and a 3.5 acre fishing pond. One of the baseball fields is home to the Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks and the Capahas a semi professional baseball team.

Shawnee Park Sports Complex
The Shawnee Park Sports Complex is home to five lighted 300 foot softball fields with scoreboards, covered dugouts, water fountains, changing rooms, restrooms and a completed concession facility. The Complex also is the site for twelve soccer fields, including three lighted tournament fields.

Twin Trees Park
Twin Trees Park is located at the northern boundaries of the city. Twin Trees Park is home to a hiking trail that was created as a collaborative effort between the City of Cape Girardeau, the Missouri Department of Conservation and Southeast Missouri State University for the purpose of providing a natural area for the public to enjoy.

For the information provided above as well as a more complete listing of parks found in Cape Girardeau, please visit: Cape Girardeau Parks

Events Calendar
Cape Girardeau is home to numerous events throughout the year ranging from spectacular holiday festivals to homegrown events that are great for the whole family to enjoy. To see an up to date list of these exciting events, please visit: Cape Girardeau Events