Historic Preservation Commission hosts history walk
Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
On Monday the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) held its annual history walking tour and showcased Cape Girardeau's Common Pleas Courthouse, Carnegie Library and the new city hall building. The tour was led by Southeast Missouri State University historic preservation professor and historic preservation program coordinator Steven Hoffman and SEMO professor of history and anthropology Adam Criblez. Around 50 people were in attendance and learned about the design of the buildings and some history about the grounds.
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HPC's history walk begins in front of Cape Girardeau's history Common Pleas courthouse. The central piece of the courthouse was constructed in 1854 by Joseph Lansman as architect.
(Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)
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Hoffman reads from his notecards as he presents the crowd with information about the courthouse. It was built in the federal style with bilateral symmetry, a brick facade, cornice, and dentals. The wings or extensions of the courthouse were added in 1888 by Jerome B. Legg.
(Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)
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The rear side of the courthouse as seen on Monday. Hoffman presented two photos of the cupola on the courthouse and the St. Charles Hotel. The hotel's cupola featured a rounded design than the courthouse cupola.
(Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)
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Peter Hirschburg, an attendee of the history walk, reads about the history of Iver's Square in front of city hall and Carnegie Library on Monday. Iver's Square is named after James Ivers, an African American Union soldier who enlisted to fight in the U.S. Civil War the first day African American men were allowed to.
(Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)
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Individuals on the tour file up the staircase of the new city hall building as the tour continues to the interior of the three buildings. The city hall building was constructed by Penzel Construction and the Treanor architect team.
(Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)
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People take turn peering through a window into the common pleas courthouse. The courthouse was the only building individuals were not able to go inside on the tour.
(Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)
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People on the tour touch the brick of the common pleas courthouse that the city hall building is attached to. The three buildings represent Cape Girardeau's past and present and each building is from its own century.
(Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)
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Walking tour attendees sit in the new city council room before continuing into Carnegie Library. Members of Cape Girardeau's City Council meet every other Monday and meetings are open to the public to attend.
(Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)
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People explore the renovated basement level of Carnegie Library near the end of the tour of the buildings on Monday. The building is no longer home to library books the public can check out. The construction of the building was funded by the Carnegie Corporation and was dedicated in 1922.
(Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)
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HPC's history walk tour ends with refreshments for the people in attendance. For more information on the commission visit its website at cityofcapegirardeau.org
(Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)