Lorimier statue taken down for repairs

The wooden statue of Louis Lorimier may be finding a new home by the end of the summer.

The statue of Cape Girardeau's founder was carved into a tree stump at Cape Rock Park in September 1997. Since then, it's continued to be worn and damaged by weather, and city workers have taken the statue to its maintenance shed to be dried and be repaired.

Parks division manager Brock Davis said this isn't the first time workers have repaired wooden carvings, but the process is lengthy.

"It depends how long it takes to dry out," Davis said when asked how long it would take for the statue to be repaired. "I would hope we would have it repaired sometime this summer."

After the statue dries, Davis said damaged areas will be filled with a type of foam and putty. Finally, it will be sealed.

"It's a tedious process, but we want it to look nice, so we're going to take our time and make it look right," he said.

The Lorimier statue was carved by August "Gus" Birk, a local sculptor who used his chain saw to create pieces of art around town for decades.

Davis said when the statue is restored, it might not return to its post at the park. It may be moved to the Cape River Heritage Museum or The Red House Interpretive Center.

Museum directors wish to keep the statue inside so it will not rot further and so people can admire it for many more years. Davis said nothing has been finalized on the statue's future location, however.

Historical reminders of Lorimier can be found all over Cape -- mainly via his "Red House."

Today, the Red House Interpretive Center helps people understand how the Old Cape Girardeau District got started and learn about Lorimier, his family and the history of the city.

smaue@semissourian.com

388-3644

pertinent address:

Cape Rock Park, North Cape Rock Drive, Cape Girardeau