Fort D supporters seek National Register status for historic site

Cape Girardeau's only remaining, Civil War-era earthworks fort could be added to the National Register of Historic Places if local preservation advocates for the historic site have their way.

The city's historic preservation commission has endorsed the effort.

Such a designation could make the site eligible for grants through the State Historic Preservation Office and allow the Missouri Department of Transportation to erect highway signs alerting motorists to the location of the fort, Cape Girardeau city planner Ryan Shrimplin said Wednesday.

City officials promised to improve the site as part of a long list of projects to be funded from a parks/stormwater sales tax. Voters in April extended the sales tax for 15 years.

The site, located east of Giboney Street in the south part of the city, includes the earthworks and a Depression-era building. The limestone-covered brick building is deteriorating. The roof collapsed more than dozen years ago.

Fort D enthusiasts, including Civil War re-enactor Scott House, want a new roof put on the building. Supporters said last year they also want a permanent restroom built on the grounds to better accommodate visitors and school groups.

The city has estimated improvements, which have yet to be finalized, could cost $200,000. However, there is no timetable for the project at the three-acre city park, officials said.

Shrimplin said if the site is added to the national register, it could provide an added source of funding for improvements. "It would help our dollars stretch further," he said.

Scott and Patti House and William Eddleman submitted a first draft of a 45-page nomination application to the State Historic Preservation Office for review in August.

House said he is revising the application after receiving input from the state office.

If approved at the state level later this year, the nomination will be submitted to the National Park Service for a final determination, city officials said.

Scott House said a final decision by the Park Service could be made next year.

House said he and others spent a lot of time researching the history of the Civil War site. "it took a lot to write this thing," he said.

"We believe it is nationally significant," House said.

It was one of four earthworks forts built by the Union Army to protect Cape Girardeau during the Civil War, according to the nomination document.

Fort D is the "only remnant of Missouri's numerous 'city forts'" from the Civil War, the nomination application said.

Much of the fort's significance centers around its ties to John Wesley Powell, a celebrated explorer made famous by his exploration of the Colorado River after the Civil War.

Gen. Ulysses S. Grant in 1861 put Powell in charge of finishing fortifications to protect Cape Girardeau.

"Powell spent eight months in Cape Girardeau and during most of that time he was in charge of either constructing or manning the forts," the draft document said.

Fort D is a "fitting monument to his Civil War experience," the application said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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