Louis Lorimier, downtown BirdieBall golf and more

If you're interested in Cape Girardeau's history, this is the month for you.

Take a look at James Baughn's blog at semissourian.com. This week's post provides wonderful background for learning more about Louis Lorimier, the French Canadian who is regarded as the founder of Cape Girardeau, even though the city is named for another French Canadian.

This month marks the 200th anniversary of Lorimier's death. He is buried, along with other family members and prominent citizens, in Lorimier Cemetery off Fountain Street on the north side of downtown.

A special event is scheduled for the afternoon of June 24 -- that's a Sunday -- at the cemetery. Local folks in period costumes will tell us a bit about Lorimier and others important to our history. If you want to visit the cemetery and learn more about our past, make plans now to attend.

Please keep in mind that the cemetery is a place where nature's hand has made for uneven walking. And bring along a lawn chair so you can be comfortable during this special bicentennial ceremony.

---

And because it's June, some of you have been asking about the downtown golf tournament.

Fear not. It's in the works, but the timing is a bit later in the summer. The date will probably be the last Sunday in September.

Why not? It should be cooler and less humid then, making the BirdieBall trek up and down the downtown streets and alleys a bit more pleasant.

The downtown golf tournament is a fundraiser for the Red House Interpretive Center. The Red House, a reconstruction of Lorimier's home and trading post, is next to the floodwall across the way from Old St. Vincent's Church, another of Cape Girardeau's historic beauties.

Yes, you too can enjoy an afternoon of actual downtown golf using what looks like a napkin ring as a ball. The BirdieBall behaves like a golf ball, but it doesn't break windows or ding cars. Which is why it is perfect for playing golf along city streets.

Please watch for more information about the First-ever Seventh Annual Louis J. Lorimier Downtown Golf Tournament and All-You-Can-Eat Catfish Buffet. You won't want to miss the fun.

---

Louis "J." Lorimier? That's been the official name of the downtown golf tournament from the get-go. But the plain fact is I made up the middle initial. Drew it right out of thin air.

I have no idea what Lorimier's middle name is, or if he even has a middle name. Maybe his French Canadian ancestors thought two names were enough.

Maybe that's something I'll learn about at the special event marking the bicentennial of Lorimier's death on June 24. And If I learn about it, so will you. If you go, that is.

Another thing.

Lorimier, the historians tell me, was partial to horse racing. What the historians don't tell me is his golf handicap. They even say it's highly likely Lorimier was not a golfer.

On the other hand, can they prove he wasn't?

---

Finally, a word about the floodwall murals between Broadway and Independence Street that provide a fascinating glimpse of Cape Girardeau's history in pictures.

Most of us took the time to read the plaques describing each of the mural scenes when the mural was first completed. But that's been several years now. Do you remember all the details?

If you're like me, you can go downtown and spend some time rereading about the murals and learn again. I'll bet you'll be surprised how much you had forgotten.

Mr. Lorimier is there. And a bunch of other folks too.

There are other murals around town. See how many you can spot.

My favorites are the tile murals on the side of the Southeast Missourian building on, appropriately, the Lorimier Street side of the building.

Take a look for yourself. It's just one of the many things you can do in downtown Cape Girardeau.

Joe Sullivan is the retired editor of the Southeast Missourian.