School Board names new library

At its monthly meeting Monday, August 27, the Cape Girardeau Public School Board of Education voted unanimously to name the recently-completed library at Cape Central Junior High School "Louis Lorimier Library," in honor of the French-Canadian credited with founding Cape Girardeau. Lorimier came to the area from Ohio in 1793, commissioned by the Spanish Governor General to establish a military post from which to trade and interact with the Native Americans, according to the city's website. From his "Red House" on the site of Old St. Vincent's Church, Lorimier served as the city's first ambassador, welcoming many settlers, including Lewis and Clark on their way into the unknown west. In 1820, Louis Lorimier and family deeded property to Cape Girardeau for the establishment of a public school. This property became known as "Schultz School." As the result of the sale of the Schultz School in 2008, a permanent trust was established which reflected the value of the contribution that Louis Lorimier had made. On March 28, 2011, the Board of Education approved a resolution which allowed the use of the Lorimier Trust to assist in funding the construction of a new library located at the Central Junior High School.