June 8

Applebee’s, the Murals of Cape Girardeau and Tunes at Twilight.

It has become kind of a tradition to celebrate my birthday at Applebee’s.  Although my birthday isn’t until the 14^th we decided to have an early birthday dinner because we aren’t sure if there will be an Applebee’s where we end up on the 14^th. 

After dinner we strolled along the downtown floodwall.  Prior to the building of the floodwall, the Mississippi River would ravish the downtown area wiping out businesses and bankrupting the proprietors.  In order for the city to survive work began on a floodwall that would protect the city’s historic downtown beginning in 1956 with completion in 1964 at a cost of $4 million.

 

 

 

 

 

 The Mississippi River Tales, a mural containing 24 panels covering nearly 18,000 square feet was officially dedicated at a public ceremony in 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The mural illustrates the history of the area beginning with the Native Americans who inhabited the area between 900 and 1200. 

The mural was painted by Chicago artist, Thomas Melvin, in collaboration with several local artists.   Each panel tells a story.

The following are just a sampling of the mural:

President Taft’s Visit-The first sitting president to visit Cape Girardeau was William Howard Taft.  To greet Taft, a large welcome arch was constructed over the entrance to the city at Themis St. located to the left of this panel.  It was the most celebrated event in the city’s history to that point and was always recalled as Taft Day.

The Big Freeze-In the early 20^th century, the Mississippi River was wider and slower than it is today.  It was more inclined to freeze over during periods of cold weather.  The winter of 1918-1919 was especially frigid and the River was covered with ice for several weeks.

Three Cape Girardeaus- For most of the 19^th century and the first third of the 20^th century, Steamboats were vital to the economic livelihood of Cape Girardeau.   Shown are three steamboats that bore the name Cape Girardeau.  The first sank in 1910, the second sank in 1916 and third and grandest of them all, a steel-hulled vessel, was the pride of the community until it was sold in 1935.

The Big Flood-The great flood of 1927 remains the flood by which all Mississippi River floods are measured.  At that time it was the most destructive flood in American history and the nation’s largest natural disaster.  It caused more than $1billion in damage.  More than 1,000 people died and 700,000 were driven from their homes. 

River Industry-The Mississippi River provides an abundant supply of sand to Cape Girardeau.  Used to make concrete, this great resource enhanced the community’s ability to construct large concrete projects.

Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge-After 15 years of planned and seven 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 legislation that brought about the construction of this cable-stayed bridge.  The floor of a cable-stay bridge is held in place by cables suspended from a strong tower. 

We ended the evening by attending Old Town Cape’s Tunes at Twilight, an award-winning Friday night outdoor concert series. 

 Performers play in a gazebo under a canopy of trees on the grounds of the Common Plees Courthouse, high atop a hill overlooking the historic downtown and Mississippi River.  This evening’s performer was Lawrence “Lipbone” Redding, an American born songwriter, guitarist, singer, composer, and voicestrumentalist who is billed as a one-man orchestra.

 We have been to numerous concert-in-the-park types of shows during the course of our travels since we began full time rv living six years ago.  Most of the concerts have had a sprinkling of attendees.   With approximately 300 people in attendance, this concert had the largest crowd.  There appeared to be several large groups sitting together with coolers stocked with beer and wine and platters of cheese and crackers.  I’m guessing these Friday night concerts are a regular gathering for the locals. 

We thoroughly enjoyed the performance that included song, story-telling and voice instrumentals.