HISTORIC SITES, BEAUTY TO SEE ON WEEKEND TOUR

Artesian wells are few and far between, but visitors driving the Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive this weekend will have an opportunity to see one.

The Sycamore Valley artesian well on one of the side trips of the 130-mile, self-guided tour has been running at about 50 gallons a minute for almost a century and serves as a source of water for some who live nearby.

The well is along Road 872, a gravel road off Highway O between Fredericktown and Marquand.

The Sycamore Valley well has a story to go along with it. The well was accidentally tapped into during test-drilling for a lead mine, the area's residents say. No lead mine was found, but the well has been a source of water ever since.

The scenic drive will wind through many communities in an area between Perryville southward through Scott City and to Commerce and westerly to the Fredericktown, Marquand and Marble Hill areas.

Tourists will have an opportunity to discover many historic points of interest while taking part in the eighth annual drive Saturday and Sunday. The drive is coordinated by the Center for Regional History and Cultural Heritage at Southeast Missouri State University.

More than a dozen villages, towns and cities are participating in the event to showcase the region's cultural heritage. Maps and booklets describing the communities, sites and activities along the way will be available at various places, including the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau in downtown Cape Girardeau. Its office hours Saturday and Sunday are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"In a day you'll see some very interesting historic places," said Dr. Frank Nickell, director of the university's Center for Regional History and coordinator of the drive. "It is some of Southeast Missouri at its greenest -- really a combination of history and beauty."

Many towns along the route have expanded activities for the weekend.

Gordonville was added to the route to celebrate its 150th anniversary. An area near Gordonville was the site of an artesian well that produced water into the 1950s. Hubble Creek Gas and Oil Co. tapped into the well about a mile and a half northwest of Gordonville in 1921.

Communities and cities along the route include:

Altenburg, Frohna -- Tours of historic buildings will be presented Saturday and Sunday. Buildings include Trinity Lutheran Church and School, the oldest church building in the Saxon Lutheran settlements, constructed in 1845; Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1860; and Trinity Lutheran Church, 1867.

Apple Creek -- One of the most scenic spots along the drive, featuring Our Lady of St. Joseph Shrine and the 117-year-old St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Benton -- Diebold Orchards tour includes over 500 different annuals, perennials, herbs and vegetables.

Brazeau -- The community, settled in 1797, features Brazeau Presbyterian Church, organized in 1819. The existing church was built in 1854 and is still used. A museum is in the academy, a school founded in 1855. Home-cooked ham and beans will be served.

Burfordville -- Historic Bollinger County Mill.

Cape Girardeau -- Antique and classic vehicles will be on display downtown Saturday. A tailgate flea market will be held Sunday. Old buildings include Common Pleas Courthouse and the Glenn House. River Heritage Museum will be open during the drive.

Commerce -- A Civil War Encampment will be held both days of the drive. The Commerce Museum will be open. Also open will be the historic Anderson House and the River Ridge Winery.

Daisy -- Some of town's early buildings, including the first and second bank buildings, can be seen

Jackson -- The city was named after Gen. Andrew Jackson. Visitors can catch a ride on the St. Louis Iron Mountain Railroad, visit Rocky Holler or Trisha's Bed and Breakfast for a house tour.

Marble Hill -- An antique car show and quilt show will be featured. Among historic building are Bollinger County Courthouse, 1885; and the Massey House, circa 1869.

Oak Ridge -- This historic town was once the home of the Cape Girardeau Northern Railroad. A gift and antique shop will be open.

Old Appleton -- The small town was established in 1808. Visitors can see the historic gristmill dam, waterfall and reconstruction of the Old Appleton iron bridge, the last remaining Pratt truss bridges on its original foundation in the state.

Perryville -- Perryville is home of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal with its four museums. Other historic buildings include Perry County Museum (Doerr House), Perry County Courthouse and the restored Faherty House built in 1831.

Pocahontas -- St. John's Lutheran Church will feature its annual kettle-cooked beef supper at 3 p.m. Sunday. Pocahontas had its beginnings in the early 1700s.