Nearly 200 years ago, Cape Girardeau was born on the banks of the Mississippi River. In 1699, French missionary priests erected a crux cross on the Cape LaCroix south of the city. Around 1733, French soldier Sean B Girardot established a trading post in a region inhabited by more than 20 Indian tribes. On a rock promontory overlooking the Mississippi River, Girardot set up his trading post. Trappers and river travelers soon discovered this piece of civilization in the wilderness and the world's first inland Cape was born.

Another man played a large part in the founding of Cape Girardeau. The Spanish Governor General sent Louis Lorimier to establish a military post to trade and interact with the Indians. Lorimier came to Cape Girardeau in 1793 and served as the city's first goodwill ambassador. Lorimier greeted frontiersmen such as Lewis and Clark and Davey Crockett as they passed through the area. The post grew under Lorimier's leadership, however, the region's small population had already grown accustomed to the name Cape Girardot, and eventually Cape Girardeau.

In 1806, Lorimier donated four acres of land to establish a seat of justice. In 1808, Cape Girardeau became a town. Four years later, Louis Lorimier died. He is buried at the historic Old Lorimier Cemetery.

By 1835, Cape Girardeau had become a river boom town with the busiest port between St. Louis and Memphis. Until the Civil War, Cape was a growing town, commercially and even more so with river activity.

During the war, however, Union forces occupied Cape Girardeau. Four forts were built to protect the city. Though a minor battle was fought just outside Cape, the city was spared the damage that overtook many other cities.

After the war, Cape Girardeau continued to grow. Public education was introduced in 1867, and later, rail service, and even advances in agriculture and industry.

Flour milling promised to bring new life following the Civil War, but in 1873, the St. Louis and Iron Mountain Railroad passed the city by and tapped the district that had been carrying on its trade by way of river. In 1880, Louis Houck built the first railroad to the city. The railroad increased growth and soon other lines were expanded. Regular rail passenger service from St. Louis became available in the early 1900's. Cape Girardeau's earliest streetcars were drawn by mules. The electric streetcars came in 1906.

Cape Girardeau's public schools began in 1867. To prepare students for teaching careers, the Southeast Missouri Normal School was established in 1873. As years went by, the school, its curriculum, and its name changed. The school is now known as Southeast Missouri State University and has over 8,000 students.

The 1900's brought a public library, an airport, and the current Missouri State Flag. The flag was designed and made by two Cape Girardeau residents, Mrs. Marie Elizabeth Watkins Oliver and Miss Mary Kochtitzky, in 1907. The ladies designed and hand sewed the flag in the Oliver House, located at 740 North Street. Missouri has had an official state flag since March 1913. The original flag was kept at the Oliver home until Mrs. Oliver passed away in October 1944.

Cape Girardeau has continually grown over the years. What has truly made Cape a wonderful and thriving town is the people who make it an excellent place to work and live. Cape Girardeau has a rich river heritage that contributes much to its history and its future.