Cape landmarks open doors for scenic drive

To kick off their tourist season, five historic landmarks in Cape Girardeau welcomed visitors Saturday as part of the 20th annual Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive, which continues today.

One of the four remaining Civil War forts that protected Cape Girardeau in the 1800s, Fort D on Locust Street, allowed visitors to experience camp life and military drills.

The fort, which is open daily from dawn until dusk, was built in 1861. Its earthwork walls remain intact, and signs throughout illustrate the fort's history.

The Cape River Heritage Museum, which contains the city's police and fire history, opened for the season Saturday and will now keep regular hours throughout the summer. They'll feature a women's history theme throughout the 2010 season.

The museum recorded nearly 20 visitors before 3 p.m. Saturday.

"We've had a pretty good amount of visitors," docent Christina Cody said. "We expected a lot less than we have had so far."

Their hours for season are 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. They'll be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today for the scenic drive.

Also open for the driving tour were Old St. Vincent's Church, which holds Sunday Mass at 10 a.m. each week, and the Red House Interpretive Center, which is open 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays from May until September.

The Red House is home to exhibits that represent the lives of 1800s settlers and will be open today from 1 to 4 p.m. as part of the scenic drive.

The Glenn House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, will also be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. The home, built in 1883 and restored in 1900, was built by Edwin Deane for his daughter, Lulu, and her husband, David A. Glenn. It has been restored with authentic period furniture and Victorian architectural features, moldings and wall treatments and also features clothing from the 1800s. The home will be open for free tours July 3 and 4 and Oct. 2 and 3.

-- Southeast Missourian

Pertinent Address:

Locust Street, Cape Girardeau, MO

325 S. Spanish St., Cape Girardeau, MO

538 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO

William and Main Street, Cape Girardeau, MO

128 S. Main St., Cape Girardeau, Mo