Cape Girardeau
Born on the Mississippi River more than
200 years ago, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, has evolved from
a tiny French trading post to a frontier settlement governed
by a Spanish commandant to a thriving, culturally-rich
community of some 40,000 residents on the world's only
inland cape.
Although the actual cape was destroyed
in the 1800s to make way for the railroads, this memorial
"Cape Rock" sits atop the bluff of Girardot's
trading post
It was about 1733 that an adventuresome
French soldier, Jean D. Girardot, established a trading
post in a remote region population by more than 20 Native
American tribes. Girardot chose a rock promontory overlooking
the Mississippi River as the site for his trading post.
Trappers and river travelers soon discocvered this welcome
bit of civilization carved out of the vast forest that
one day would become Missouri. They called the place "Cape
Girardot."
Today, Cape Girardeau is a regional hub
for education, commerce, and medical care. Although the
city's population is around 37,000 people, it is estimated
that as many as 90,000 come to Cape Girardeau daily to
work, shop, go to school, or visit the many doctors' offices
or two hospitals. In addition, the Bill Emerson Memorial
Bridge is being constructed across the Mississippi River
that will carry 26,000 cars in and out of Cape Girardeau
every day.
Rich in the heritage of the river region
and its people, the story of Cape Girardeau continues
to add exciting new chapters. Be a part of that excitement
-- ESCAPE TO CAPE!
