Balls, notable people and events at the St. Charles Hotel

Union soldiers in faded blue uniforms chose their ladies for a dance at the popular St. Charles Hotel. It was a celebratory cotillion held on April 26, 1863, following the Union success during the Battle of Cape Girardeau. Hoop skirts twirled to tunes such as "Soldiers Joy," "Lancers Quadrille" and "Money Mush Reel."

Yes...the St. Charles on the southwest corner of Themis and Main was "the place" for all special events.

In January 1861 the Cape Girardeau Eagle newspaper announced the hotel, built in the 1830s or '40s by Cape's master builder, Joseph Lansmon, had been remodeled by the proprietors, Garaghty and Gale. It was described as, "four story brick modern architecture with verandas, observatory, ventilated rooms, views of the river, cornices with dentils, and window hoods."

It was in the summer of 1862 that General Ulysses Grant stayed in Room 5 at the hotel while headquartered at the Common Pleas Courthouse. Upon his orders, four forts were built to protect the area. During the 50 days Grant was here, there were lavish dances held for him in the ballroom.

The most popular and well-loved proprietors were Zalma Block, along with his gracious wife, Matilda. Zalma, from a well-known Jewish family of St. Louis, became good friends with Louis Houck, who stayed at the St. Charles his first night in Cape Girardeau. The railroad builder renamed the town of Bollinger Mills on Castor River to Zalma, Missouri, after his Cape Girardeau friend.

Another brilliant affair was announced in the Cape Girardeau News: "Leap Year and Centennial Party--1876. The hotel came alive with leading ladies of the city entertaining young gentlemen to one of the finest balls that ever came off in the magnificent hotel. Supper was served in style by Mr. and Mrs. Block. Ladies returned their invited guests to their homes at 3 a.m."

The hotel hosted noteworthy steamboat guests such as Samuel Clemens. Unfortunately, one guest in 1852 exited one of the steamboats with cholera, starting an epidemic throughout the city.

It was in the parlor of the St. Charles that issues were ironed out and money procured as Cape Girardeau acquired the Third District Normal School, Oct. 28, 1873.

Upon the death of hotel owner, John Painter, in August 1891, the landmark hotel was in grave jeopardy as his widow vacillated whether to tear it down or remodel, and finally deciding to remodel. Reconstruction commenced in 1895 with C. Lindemann receiving the low bid and Jerome Legg of St. Louis, consultant. The saloon and barber shop on the ground floor were removed as Henry Koch started new brickwork. Two miles of electrical wiring were added and steam heating installed. The city was ecstatic with the beautifully renovated hostelry.

The last owner of the hotel was E.G. Gramling in the 1940s-1960s.

Falling into disrepair, the one time glorious destination to many travelers was auctioned off in December 1965 to Mayor Charles A. Hood for $55,000.

The wrecking ball cleared the historical corner in February 1967 to make way for a non-memorable Sterling Variety Store.