Snake Hill curves are part of Cape's good memories

To the editor:

I'd like to address the alteration of Snake Hill. Why, after all these years, is it necessary to alter those familiar old curves? I fondly remember going up and down Snake Hill on hay rides back in the 1950s when life was simpler and cruising down the hill in my 1937 Plymouth and praying the brakes would hold so I could safely reach the bottom where I would give the car a bath in the creek near the mattress factory.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has fond memories of old Snake Hill, and I sure hate to see it go, not to mention the trees sacrificed in the name of progress. What's next to go?

Progress in nice, but I sure miss the old haunts like Toll Gate Hill on South Sprigg Street, Wimpy's Drive-in, the Blue Hole Bar B Q on Sprigg south of Smelterville and of course old Central High School on Pacific Street. Call me an old fogy if you will, but I'll really miss those special places that make Cape Girardeau my hometown and a great place to grow up. Fortunately someone had the foresight to save the Marquette Hotel for everyone to enjoy for many years to come.

LARRY D. SWANN

Kimberling City, Mo.