The Mississippi River

Known as "The Father of Water," the Mississippi River provided means of travel and commerce from early days as Indians, explorers, priests, traders, and settlers traveled its current in canoes, dugouts, flatboats, keelboats, packets, and towboats. Until the Civil War, Cape Girardeau thrived as a river port for the district, shipping furs, pork and beef products, cotton, grain, lumber, and tools, while the river also brought entertainment by the showboat and races.

Cape Girardeau, Missouri · United States