Cape Girardeau, Major city in southeastern Missouri, United States.
Cape Girardeau sits on the western shore of the Mississippi River in Cape Girardeau County in southeastern Missouri, with a population approaching 40,000. The town spreads across rolling bluffs above the river, with residential neighborhoods on higher ground and a broad commercial zone along the historic main streets.
A French trader set up a post on the riverbank in 1733, and Spanish authorities later granted trading rights to a settler from Quebec. The fort was built in the mid-1800s during the tensions leading up to the Civil War and faced a military assault in April 1863.
The downtown area preserves several 19th-century blocks with brick facades and cast-iron details along the storefronts. The riverfront walkway attracts anglers and strollers who watch barges move upstream and downstream throughout the day.
The university campus sits to the south and is walkable from the historic core, while the two large hospitals occupy opposite sides of town. Several parks and river access points offer places to rest, especially early in the morning and late afternoon.
The local theater hosts performances throughout the year, often featuring regional musicians and actors in a smaller setting. Along Main Street, several antique shops sell old riverboat memorabilia alongside furniture and household items.
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