LEWIS-CLARK EVENT PLANS SHOULD INCLUDE CAPE

Cape Girardeau could play a key role in the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition. And why not? The city was a stopover on the Mississippi River for the explorers. They spent a night in Cape Girardeau before heading on to St. Louis.

The journal of Meriwether Lewis is fascinating reading about the early goings-on in "Cape Jeradeau" and its commandant, Louis Lorimier. The town at the time of their visit Nov. 23, 1803, had a population of 1,100.

Lewis attended a horse race and ate a fine dinner with Lorimier at his combination home and trading post known as the Red House. Clark stayed at the trading-post settlement near Cape Rock.

A group of local history buffs would like the city to jump on the Lewis- and-Clark bandwagon. They'd like to see Lorimier's Red House rebuilt in downtown Cape Girardeau.

It's one thing to talk about tourism. It's another to build tourist attractions with big potential. There's much to offer in Cape Girardeau and the entire region for history buffs, but such a house could provide a focal point for tourism efforts.

Of course, there would be many details to explore. Who would pay for the structure? Who would maintain it? Could it be manned on weekends during prime tourism hours?

Perhaps a joint project between local historical groups, the city and Southeast Missouri State University could provide a useful partnership. The university operates a strong historic-preservation program and is home to the Regional History Center.

There are also a number of experts in the community familiar with this time period. Praise should go to Dr. Frank Nickell, Linda Nash and Jane Jackson, who have come up with some great ideas.

A bicentennial commission is planning a statewide and nationwide celebration. Wouldn't it be fascinating to re-enact Lewis and Clark's stay in Cape Girardeau? The region has three years to finalize its plans for the local observance.

It takes vision to see things not as they are, but how they could be. Communities with vision and leadership move to the head of the pack when it comes to tourism opportunities.