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James Baughn
James Baughn was the webmaster of seMissourian.com and its sister newspapers for 20 years. On the side, he maintained even more sites, including Bridgehunter.com, LandmarkHunter.com, TheCapeRock.com, and Humorix. Baughn passed away in 2020 while doing one of the things he loved most: hiking in Southeast Missouri. Here is an archive of his writing about hiking and nature in our area.
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Go hiking at Murtaugh Park

Posted Friday, April 1, 2011, at 11:22 AM

One of the more challenging hiking trails in Southeast Missouri is right under our very noses in Cape Girardeau. Located along Main Street, the picturesque Murtaugh Park offers a heart-pounded hiking adventure that is over 0.004 miles long.

The park is named for Rev. James A. Murtaugh, according to a stately historic marker, and commemorates his "civic efforts."

The hiking trail passes between trees that are currently blooming, with the Red House Interpretive Center providing a nice backdrop.

Also of interest is a survey marker embedded in the ground announcing that this location is designated as Survey CG-05, whatever that means.

With the flowering trees, ease of access, and history, I would argue that Murtaugh Park is the crown jewel of the Cape Girardeau park system.

Driving directions

Drive to the intersection of William and Main streets in Cape Girardeau, find a convenient parking spot, and look for the park in the median in front of the Red House Interpretive Center.

Hiking directions

Starting on the Main Street side, walk across the park, stopping to read the historic marker. Then walk to the edge of Aquamsi Street, turn around, and continue back to Main Street. Then repeat at least 211 times in order to hike a complete mile.

By the way, I should note that today is April Fools Day.

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  • There's more to the Murtaugh Park:

    http://www.capecentralhigh.com/cape-photos/cape-downtown/murtaugh-park-in-histor...

    At one time, the park contained a memorial for Police Chief N.J. (Jeff) Hutson, who was shot and killed in the line of duty Oct. 7, 1922.

    It also had a hawthorne tree, "one of the finest specimen of its kind to be found anywhere," that was planted by the Wednesday Club on April 11, 1923, to honor Miss Amy Husband Kimmel, who founded the club in 1902.

    -- Posted by ksteinhoff on Fri, Apr 1, 2011, at 11:43 AM

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