Downtown Walking Tour
Interested in the Main Street District of Cape Girardeau? Then, take following walking tour along Main, Spanish, and Water Streets.
114 North Main Street
114 North Main Street. Click to expand.
114 North Main Street is currently home to Broussard's Cajun Cuisine, a popular restaurant in Downtown Cape Girardeau. The building was built around 1880 as two different stores. In 1884, the store on the left was a grocery and china store on the first floor, the second floor provided printing for the news, and the third floor was a residential area. The building to the right was a drug store on the first floor, a warehouse on the second floor, and another residential location on the third floor. The buildings have had several other uses throughout the years including a tailor and second-hand store. Previous to Broussard's moving in, Riverfront Gifts and Collectables was located within the building. In 2016, the popular local Cajun restaurant, Broussard's, moved to the building to serve as the new location. Broussard's continues to be located within this building. This building has changed in how it looks from its construction to now. Changes that have been made include differences in the display windows, the materials on the exterior walls, and changes to the window styles.
101 North Main Street
101 North Main Street. Click to expand.
101 North Main Street in downtown Cape Girardeau is the site of the former Sturdivant Bank Building. The Sturdivant Bank was established by Colonel Robert Sturdivant on the corner of Main Street and Themis Street after purchasing the remnants of the Bank of Missouri. Colonel Robert Sturdivant came to Cape Girardeau from Virginia in 1835. His counsel was often sought by Louis Houck for business matters concerning the establishment of the Normal School. Before opening Sturdivant Bank, he had previously engaged in the mercantile trade, newspaper publishing, and the milling. Sturdivant had the building already on the site torn down, and the current building was constructed in 1892. The architect for the building was J. B. Legg, an architect from Saint Louis. Robert Sturdivant retired in 1902, but the bank continued to operate. The bank operated at this site until 1930 when it moved to the Himmelberger-Harrison building. This building also housed the Cape Girardeau Telephone Company, which was Cape Girardeau's first telephone exchange. The company was established in 1896 in a small room on the second floor of the bank.
109 North Main Street
109 North Main Street. Click to expand.
109 North Main Street helps give the downtown its iconic feel. the vertical orientation reminds the viewer of a time before vehicles became the standard for travel. Its Spanish Colonial Revival Style is also iconic in the landscape. The tax cards have it listed as being built in 1920, however, it appears to have been built in the late 1800s. The Hecht family built the building next to other buildings the other buildings they erected at 105 and 107 Main Street. Zwick's shoes were the first to take up residence in the building. They were founded in 1904. A 1972 photo project shows that the building was still functioning as the store front for Zwick's Shoes. In 1989, Martin Hecht owned 109 North Main Street, meaning that Hecht's retail stores purchased the building sometime between 1972 and 1989. It is unclear if the Hecht stores ever over operated in the building, their long-standing retail store occupied the building next door for decades. The next company to take up residence in the building was Green with Envy Hair Salon. The Green with Envy Hair Salon got their registration for a company in 2005 and were still located in that building in 2007. The next owners ran Judith's Antiques there from 2011-2018. After that, the Gallery of Inspiration moved in and is still there today.
19 North Water Street
19 North Water Street. Click to expand.
Nestled near the bank of the Mississippi River, the three-story portion of the Port Cape Building is one of Cape Girardeau's oldest existent structures. Architecturally, this clay brick building is notable for its rounded-arch entries and windows. Research by historic consultant Terri Foley suggests that it was built around 1864-during the Civil War. During the steamboat age of the 1800s, Cape Girardeau's strategic location on the Mississippi River made the city an important commercial hub. Because of its proximity to this river activity, the Port Cape Building was built as a dry goods merchandise warehouse- a function it held for a long time. In the late 1800s, the Port Cape Building also accommodated the Eagle Packing Business, a renowned steamboat company headed by Captain William Leyhe. According to legend, Captain Leyhe wedded Mary Filburn (to whom the property was willed in 1881) just to secure a spot in the building! Of course, the Port Cape Building hosted other functions over the years....
Signs of the Past- "Ghost Signs"
Signs of the Past- "Ghost Signs". Click to expand.
In the 19th and early 20th century, advertisement signs were often painted on buildings. Traveling artists, working on behalf of a company, would rapidly paint a large advertisement sign on a building, then move on to a new town to paint another sign. as these old advertisement faded over time, they became known as "ghost signs". Over the course of its existence, the Port Cape Building has accommodated a few different painted advertisements. The large expanse on the building's northern wall has been a particularly popular place to place ads. The purpose of these old painted signs was to grab attention and to be seen. You might have recognized one of those signs- the large Coca Cola advertisement. This ad has been around for a long time. The Coca Cola sign was not always visible, however. It took some sandblasting in 1978 to unveil the old advertisement. Because of its rough condition, the Coca Cola Company itself had the sign repurposed.
19 North Spanish Street
19 North Spanish Street. Click to expand.
19 North Spanish Street is a wonderful example of what is known in Historic Preservation as "adaptive use", a building being used for a purpose other than what it was originally designed for. This is important with historic buildings because it ensures that there will always be a tenant or owner keeping the building in good repair. The structure was originally intended to serve as a Supermarket for Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company and was built in 1941. More specifically, the building had a three story tower in the southeastern corner with internal lights and a 35 foot neon sign for marketing. Apparently, the story was so popular it caused traffic jams on Spanish street. The A&P Supermarket started operating on October 14, 1941, but later moved to 28 North Main street in the early 1960s. In 1966, Ocso Drug store, one of the last national chain stores to come to the downtown area until the decline in the 1970s, moved into the building. Ocso Drug Store went out of business in 1979. Today, the building is the Brick Street Gallery operated by John and Jerriane Wyman, and Kieth and Rosetta Colley that opened in November of 2001.
121 South Main Street
121 South Main Street. Click to expand.
America has always been a place of religious freedom, whether that's Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Agnostic/Atheist, etc. Throughout the 1800's, large waves of individuals and families from various countries migrated to America; as they settled across the United States, they brought their beliefs with them. Thus included people of the Jewish faith, who believe in first five sections of the Bible's Old Testament (known as the Torah). In Missouri, Jewish communities began forming in Kansas City and Saint Louis, from there spreading to areas like Saint Joseph, Springfield, Joplin, and Jefferson City.
114 North Main Street
114 North Main Street is currently home to Broussard's Cajun Cuisine, a popular restaurant in Downtown Cape Girardeau. The building was built around 1880 as two different stores. In 1884, the store on the left was a grocery and china store on the first floor, the second floor provided printing for the news, and the third floor was a residential area. The building to the right was a drug store on the first floor, a warehouse on the second floor, and another residential location on the third floor. The buildings have had several other uses throughout the years including a tailor and second-hand store. Previous to Broussard's moving in, Riverfront Gifts and Collectables was located within the building. In 2016, the popular local Cajun restaurant, Broussard's, moved to the building to serve as the new location. Broussard's continues to be located within this building. This building has changed in how it looks from its construction to now. Changes that have been made include differences in the display windows, the materials on the exterior walls, and changes to the window styles.
Photo: 112-114 of N. Main Street, view towards the east (1999); Cape Girardeau Commercial Historic District National Register Nomination; Missouri State Archives, Jefferson City, MO.
101 North Main Street
101 North Main Street in downtown Cape Girardeau is the site of the former Sturdivant Bank Building. The Sturdivant Bank was established by Colonel Robert Sturdivant on the corner of Main Street and Themis Street after purchasing the remnants of the Bank of Missouri. Colonel Robert Sturdivant came to Cape Girardeau from Virginia in 1835. His counsel was often sought by Louis Houck for business matters concerning the establishment of the Normal School. Before opening Sturdivant Bank, he had previously engaged in the mercantile trade, newspaper publishing, and the milling. Sturdivant had the building already on the site torn down, and the current building was constructed in 1892. The architect for the building was J. B. Legg, an architect from Saint Louis. Robert Sturdivant retired in 1902, but the bank continued to operate. The bank operated at this site until 1930 when it moved to the Himmelberger-Harrison building. This building also housed the Cape Girardeau Telephone Company, which was Cape Girardeau's first telephone exchange. The company was established in 1896 in a small room on the second floor of the bank.
Also associated with the Sturdivant Bank building is Cape Girardeau's first downtown clock. The clock was installed outside of the building on the corner of Main Street and Themis Street in 1917. The clock was erected in memory of Urhain J. Lonheinne. Lonheinne was a banker in Alexander Count, Illinois, and was a friend of the Sturdivant Bank. In his will he bequeathed part of his property and estate to the Sturdivant Bank, which brought $4001. Part of that money was used to purchase the clock. The clock was electric and was based off the master clock located in the building. It chimed at the quarter, half, and full hours- sounded by Westminster Chimes. The Clock was made from dark green bronze and plate glass with a copper good on the top and bottom. It was 9' 4" in height and 2' 10" in width. The glass dials measured 24" in diameter. The clock was brought by H. I. Himmelberger in 1939 for $35 and put to use at the H-H Building.
The building was later transformed into Minnen's Dress Shop owned by David Minnen, a prominent businessman in Cape Girardeau. The dress shop operated from the 1930s until its closure in December 1965. David Minnen played a large role in the Jewish community of Cape Girardeau in helping establish the charter for the B'Nai B'Rith Jewish lodge in Cape Girardeau. He opened up the Sturdivant Bank building to the Jewish community for worship and community events. Minnen died in 1968 and is buried as Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in University City, Saint Louis County.
Photo: "Old Sturdivant Bank (undated)" Glenn House Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Southeast Missouri State University.
109 North Main Street
109 North Main Street helps give the downtown its iconic feel. the vertical orientation reminds the viewer of a time before vehicles became the standard for travel. Its Spanish Colonial Revival Style is also iconic in the landscape. The tax cards have it listed as being built in 1920, however, it appears to have been built in the late 1800s. The Hecht family built the building next to other buildings the other buildings they erected at 105 and 107 Main Street. Zwick's shoes were the first to take up residence in the building. They were founded in 1904. A 1972 photo project shows that the building was still functioning as the store front for Zwick's Shoes. In 1989, Martin Hecht owned 109 North Main Street, meaning that Hecht's retail stores purchased the building sometime between 1972 and 1989. It is unclear if the Hecht stores ever over operated in the building, their long-standing retail store occupied the building next door for decades. The next company to take up residence in the building was Green with Envy Hair Salon. The Green with Envy Hair Salon got their registration for a company in 2005 and were still located in that building in 2007. The next owners ran Judith's Antiques there from 2011-2018. After that, the Gallery of Inspiration moved in and is still there today.
Photo: Streetscape, west side of N. Main Street, view towards the northwest (1999); Cape Girardeau Commercial Historic District National Register Nomination; Missouri State Archives, Jefferson City, MO.
19 North Water Street
Nestled near the bank of the Mississippi River, the three-story portion of the Port Cape Building is one of Cape Girardeau's oldest existent structures. Architecturally, this clay brick building is notable for its rounded-arch entries and windows. Research by historic consultant Terri Foley suggests that it was built around 1864-during the Civil War. During the steamboat age of the 1800s, Cape Girardeau's strategic location on the Mississippi River made the city an important commercial hub. Because of its proximity to this river activity, the Port Cape Building was built as a dry goods merchandise warehouse- a function it held for a long time. In the late 1800s, the Port Cape Building also accommodated the Eagle Packing Business, a renowned steamboat company headed by Captain William Leyhe. According to legend, Captain Leyhe wedded Mary Filburn (to whom the property was willed in 1881) just to secure a spot in the building! Of course, the Port Cape Building hosted other functions over the years....
The Port Cape Building has hosted a variety of business over the years. Since it was originally built as a warehouse, the building was particularly well-suited for businesses that required large amounts of storage space. For that reason, it is no surprise that the building accommodated several furniture companies over the years. Do you recognize any companies on the lost that are still in business? 1884- Armory Hall 1893- The building's third floor served as a band hall. 1900- Wool & Hides / Band Hall 1908- General Storage and Beer Storage 1912- Hobbs Furniture Company 1915- General Merchandise / Furniture 1928- Townsend Furniture Company 1949- Batten Weiss Furniture Company 1954- Patrick Furniture Company
Photo: "Water Street Flooded (1917)" Patty Mulkey Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Southeast Missouri State University.
Signs of the Past- "Ghost Signs"
In the 19th and early 20th century, advertisement signs were often painted on buildings. Traveling artists, working on behalf of a company, would rapidly paint a large advertisement sign on a building, then move on to a new town to paint another sign. as these old advertisement faded over time, they became known as "ghost signs". Over the course of its existence, the Port Cape Building has accommodated a few different painted advertisements. The large expanse on the building's northern wall has been a particularly popular place to place ads. The purpose of these old painted signs was to grab attention and to be seen. You might have recognized one of those signs- the large Coca Cola advertisement. This ad has been around for a long time. The Coca Cola sign was not always visible, however. It took some sandblasting in 1978 to unveil the old advertisement. Because of its rough condition, the Coca Cola Company itself had the sign repurposed.
Photo: "Water Street (c. 1984)" Lueders Studio Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Southeast Missouri State University.
19 North Spanish Street
19 North Spanish Street is a wonderful example of what is known in Historic Preservation as "adaptive use", a building being used for a purpose other than what it was originally designed for. This is important with historic buildings because it ensures that there will always be a tenant or owner keeping the building in good repair. The structure was originally intended to serve as a Supermarket for Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company and was built in 1941. More specifically, the building had a three story tower in the southeastern corner with internal lights and a 35 foot neon sign for marketing. Apparently, the story was so popular it caused traffic jams on Spanish street. The A&P Supermarket started operating on October 14, 1941, but later moved to 28 North Main street in the early 1960s. In 1966, Ocso Drug store, one of the last national chain stores to come to the downtown area until the decline in the 1970s, moved into the building. Ocso Drug Store went out of business in 1979. Today, the building is the Brick Street Gallery operated by John and Jerriane Wyman, and Kieth and Rosetta Colley that opened in November of 2001.
Photo: "A&P Supermarket during Flood (1943)" Lueders Studio Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Southeast Missouri State University
121 South Main Street
America has always been a place of religious freedom, whether that's Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Agnostic/Atheist, etc. Throughout the 1800's, large waves of individuals and families from various countries migrated to America; as they settled across the United States, they brought their beliefs with them. Thus included people of the Jewish faith, who believe in first five sections of the Bible's Old Testament (known as the Torah). In Missouri, Jewish communities began forming in Kansas City and Saint Louis, from there spreading to areas like Saint Joseph, Springfield, Joplin, and Jefferson City.
Cape Girardeau's Jewish community began growing in the early 1900's and were prominent in merchandising business. In 1921, a congregatoin was formed, but they lacked a building of their own to worship and study, otherwise known as a synagogue. For over 15 years, they met in numerous places such as banks, churches, and lodges; their most frequent meeting place though, was a community clubhouse on Capaha Park. this is where they kept their sacred documents. Unfortunately, the clubhouse burnt down in February of 1937, destroying their scrolls; they were through to be over 400 years old.
That same year, the B'nai Israel Synagogue was built along Main Street, and was the first synagogue of the Southeast Missouri area. It looks unlike any other building in Cape Girardeau; its style is a blend of characteristics representing the city's heritage and diverse population. The building served as a sanctuary for Jewish Cape Girardeans until 1999. Having remained unchanged since construction, it was nominated to be on the National register of Historic Places. In 2004, the B'nai Israel Synagogue was added to the list due to its importance to the Jewish citizens of Cape Girardeau, as well as being an authentic example of the Spanish Colonial Revival.
Photo: "Community Club House at Fairgrounds Park (1905)" Postcard Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Southeast Missouri State University