VIDEO EXAMINES 200 YEARS OF HISTORY IN CAPE GIRARDEAU

When it came time for David Andrews to start his master's project, he had no idea where to begin.

But as he began to look forward, he took a giant step back in time. "Cape Girardeau: The First 200 Years" became the focus of a 30-minute made-for-television video. It is the culmination of three years of research, shooting and editing.

The video first aired Aug. 5 on KFVS Channel 12.

"I wanted to do something that would benefit the community and to give back to it what it has given to me," Andrews said.

The timing of Andrew's master's project coincided perfectly with the city's bicentennial celebration.

"It was just a coincidence, but it was really perfect for us," said Helen Miner, a member of the Bicentennial Commission, who helped Andrews with his research. "The video was a wonderful tribute to the city."

The video, which was the final project for his master's degree in telecommunications at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, traced Cape Girardeau's history. It begins with the story of how the city was founded and chronologically works through the civil war, the industrial revolution and recent events. The video covers the schools, the media, the churches, the hospitals, transportation and agriculture.

Andrews' video covers major events and interesting tidbits. For instance, he tells the story of an old jail, which looks more like a dungeon, that still exists beneath the Common Pleas Courthouse.

Andrews began his search by sifting through books from the libraries and museums in the area. When he got what he felt to be an accurate chronology of facts, he went over the information with area history experts. Next, he found old photos of Cape Girardeau. Jim Haman's private photo collection provided an authentic touch to the story of the city's history.

Eventually, Andrews added music and he did the voice-over himself. Most of the work was done at his office in the Wehking Alumni Building on Southeast Missouri State University's campus, where he serves as video production services coordinator.

The video includes stories told by people who have watched Cape Girardeau grow through the years. Rush H. Limbaugh Sr., who was 102 years old at the time the video was shot, tells the story of the city in human terms, with first-hand personal knowledge.

"Limbaugh is just an incredible man," Andrews said. "He represents living history. In the future I would like to do a special on him and people like him, who can tell us about history with their memories."

And, of course, as the video nears its end, Andrews tells the story about why Cape Girardeau is the City of Roses. The video ends with images of the city more than 100 years ago compared to current photos of the same image.

"This video was not meant to be a complete history of Cape," Andrews said. "It is meant to stimulate people to want to learn more about their own history."

Andrews admits that he has never been a student of history, but in the end, he learned the value of it.

He learned that history involves everyone. Andrews also found that most everyone is interested in learning about themselves and their heritage.

Although Andrews did all the directing, editing, the voice-over and most of the shooting, he feels that he never could have completed the project without the help of the community. Southeast Missouri State University, Southern Illinois University, students, family, various members of historical groups and even his daughter, Destiny, helped make the video possible.

The tapes can be purchased for $19.95 by calling 651-6165 or by sending an order to: Aecila Publishing, P.O. Box 19858, St. Louis, Mo. 63144. Checks should be made payable to "200 Years."