Cape Girardeau County to celebrate its 200th anniversary | Community Spirit

CAPE GIRARDEAU COUNTY, MO (KFVS) - Cape Girardeau County celebrated its 200th anniversary on October 1.

In recognition of Cape Girardeau County’s bicentennial, the staff of the Cape Girardeau County Archive Center will be giving a brief presentation of the history of the county and reading the original proclamation from 1812 that created the first five counties in the state.

The presentation will be held at the County Commission Chambers on October 25, at 10 a.m. in Jackson, Mo. 

The history of Cape Girardeau County goes as far back as the 17th century when it was claimed as territory for France and given the name "Louisiana." For the next 80 years it remained under French control, until this area was ceded to the Spanish. It was about this time the trading post at Cape Rock was founded and named Cape Girardot, later known as Cape Girardeau.

Up until the early 19th century Cape Girardeau had seen many leaders, including merchant and Commandant Louis Lorimier, and future president William Henry Harrison when he was governor of both the Indiana and Louisiana Territories. When the year 1812 rolled around, this portion of the Louisana became the Territory of Missouri, and on Oct. 1 of that year the five original counties of this state were formed. Their names were Cape Girardeau, New Madrid, St. Charles, St. Louis and Ste. Genevieve.

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