Historic Fort D

January

Cape Girardeau,MO - Cape Girardeau County

In the summer of 1861 at the beginning of the Civil War, four forts were built around the strategic city of Cape Girardeau on the orders of General John Frèmont. Designed by German-American engineers from St. Louis, the forts were built by soldiers of the 20th Illinois Infantry, Bissell's Engineers of the West and local militia under the direction of Illinois Lt. John Wesley Powell, who would later gain fame as the explorer of the Grand Canyon, was detached from his regiment by the new general, Ulysses S. Grant, in order to raise a local company to man the forts.  This Powell did, and his new Battery F served the forts until leaving for the Battle of Shiloh.  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. Of the four earthen forts only Fort D still exists, an intact survivor thanks to civic action in the 1930's.  Today owned by the city, Fort D is located 4 blocks south of the intersection of Missouri Rte. 74 and Sprigg Street in Cape Girardeau, just west of the Mississippi River Bridge.  The fort grounds, featuring interpretive signage are open free to the public dawn to dusk. For more information or to schedule group tours call the Convention and Visitors Bureau 1-800-777-0068. 

Art Exhibits

January

Cape Girardeau,MO - Cape Girardeau County

ARound Town Discover art venues in Cape Girardeau open from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. the First Friday of every month. Edward Bernard Gallery, WESTRAY, Garden Gallery, Gallery 1-2-5, The Artist Studio, Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, Visual Arts Co-op, Black Door Gallery, River Campus Art Gallery and Crisp Museum. For more information, call 573-334-9233 or visit www.capearts.org

Dinner Theater

January - 2009

Cape Girardeau,MO - Cape Girardeau County

Scallywag Theater The Mighty Mississippi Melodrama: or Do I Smell a River Rat?, a Scallywag Theater production, is a dinner-theater available for booking by groups of 40 or more.  Old-fashioned fun for all ages!  For more information call Port Cape Girardeau Restaurant, on the Historic Downtown Riverfront at 573-334-0954.

Trail of Tears State Park

January

Jackson, MO - Cape Girardeau County

The tragic history that gives Trail of Tears State Park its name provides a sharp contrast to the peaceful, serene setting and the abundance of recreational opportunities enjoyed by visitors today. The 3,415-acre park is a memorial to the Cherokee Indians that lost their lives in a forced relocation, as well as a place for visitors to participate in a variety of outdoor adventures.

Today, numerous picnic sites are scattered throughout the park and campsites are available in a wooded area and near the river. Anglers can cast their lines in either the Mississippi River or the 20-acre Lake Boutin, stocked with bass, bluegill and catfish. The park’s numerous trails offer opportunities for hiking, backpacking, primitive camping and equestrian pursuits. In winter, the bluffs and cliffs along the river are noted as roosting sites for bald eagles.  For more information visit www.mostateparks.com/trailoftears.