MAN FINDS PLAQUE TAKEN FROM CAPE ROCK

The rock at Cape Rock Park is missing a part of its history.

The bronze plaque marking the location of a 1733 trading post started by Cape Girardeau's namesake was discovered Monday evening. The 10-year-old marker was found in bushes next to railroad tracks by the Mississippi River, well below its normal elevation.

Neither police nor Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation director Dan Muser were aware the plaque was missing until after a 19-year-old Jackson, Mo., man turned it in to an officer Monday.

"It must have happened sometime earlier on Monday, since my people hadn't reported anything," Muser said.

John Lynch decided to visit the park Monday with his girlfriend, Mary Hooper, to see the rock and watch the Mississippi River. It had been several years since he visited, said Lynch, a student and store clerk.

The two found the Cape Rock, but not the plaque that marks it. Except for a bolt holding a tiny corner piece, nothing was left.

Lynch and Hooper then went down from the park to walk along railroad tracks next to the river. As they returned to their car, Lynch saw something gleaming in a bush. He pulled out the plaque, which he estimated weighed about 10 pounds.

The site is believed to be where Ensign Jean Baptiste Girardot established his trading post on a cape in the river. Historians say no other inland location carries "cape" in its name.

Before going to the police, Lynch and his girlfriend took a few photographs posing with the plaque.

"It's a unique part of our history," Lynch said. "I was lucky to have seen it."

The current plaque took the place of another removed by park personnel about 10 years ago, Muser said. Some of the lettering on the old plaque was hard to read.

Over the years, aluminum flagpoles at the park have been broken off and wooden handrails torn down, but the plaque had not been damaged.

Holes were drilled in the rock for the plaque, which was fastened in place with large screws and epoxy, Muser said.

Muser thought the timing of the vandalism was curious.

"I hate to say it, but didn't college just get out?" he said.

The remotely located park is an easy target for vandalism, but incidents are still less frequent than some other parks, police Lt. Carl Kinnison said.

Although Muser said it was perplexing why vandals would toss a bronze plaque valued at over $1,000 down a hill, he wasn't surprised.

"I've tried to quit figuring out why people do stupid things," he said.

WHERE THEY ARE

At least 16 other bronze historic plaques were placed at historicsites throughout Cape Girardeau beginning in the 1950s, although some are now missing. Their locations:

Battle of Cape Girardeau: Haas House; Broadway St.

Capaha Park: Broadway St.

Fort B: Off Washington Ave.

Missouri Flag birthplace: Near Pacific and North

Old Lorimier Cemetary (missing): Near Washington and Fountain

Ellis-Wathen House (missing): Main Street

First telephone exchange: Water Street

Mississippi River: Between Merriweather and Independence

The Red House: Near William and Main

Indian Park (missing): At William and Lorimier

St. Vincent's College: At west side of Morgan Oak St. bridge

Fort D: On Giboney Street

Fort C: Near Good Hope and Pacific

First public school: Now site of City Hall

Original county courthouse: Near Broadway and Lorimier

Old opera house: Near Broadway and Lorimier