Driving past, the sign mentioned "Thebes Historic Courthouse" and it rang a loud bell in my mind…read morebut I could not remember why this courthouse was so important. And so I made the turn to check it out. Completed in 1848, the courthouse is in the Southern Greek Revival style and the view from the porch of the famous Thebes Bridge (reviewed separately) and the Mighty Mississippi River (also reviewed separately) is tremendous. Inside, this classic structure are two hundred years of history, artifacts, photographs and some very helpful and friendly ladies who are more than happy to talk. Abraham Lincoln visited the courthouse when he was a frontier lawyer. One of the more infamous Supreme Court cases began its journey here when fugitive slave Dred Scott was imprisoned in the courthouse dungeon. Yeah, that Dred Scott and the ruling from SCOTUS in 1857 was that the US Constitution did not extend American citizenship to people of black African descent. This was thankfully overturned by the Civil War and the Fourteenth Amendment. [Review 1247 of 2024 - 201 in Illinois - 22270 overall]

In Sept 2015, Noel, Tony and I started on a road trip with Sammi from Nashville TN to Skull, KS. On…read morethe way, we saw this sign for a Historical Courthouse overlooking the Mississippi River. So we had to stop. This courthouse is had something to do with the very important Dredd Scott trial. The courthouse was closed but I got some really great photos of the courthouse. It had a great location on the Mississippi River. There is nothing left of this important River Port Town..but I just wonder what it all looked like? Sitting high atop a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in Thebes, Illinois is the 1848 Courthouse. Standing 165 years, it is a testament to architect Henry Ernst Barkhausen, who was awarded the contract for designing and supervising the erection of the Thebes Courthouse in 1845. This landmark was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

They are very good at what they do!...;-) The wait time was less than I expected. The good lady…read morealmost read my mind in knowing what I was about to ask next. Give them a raise...;-) I am an old 69 year old who gets confused rather easily. Her patience was over the top. I renewed my plates for 2 years because I am optimistic in my longevity.

I've been to a lot worse. At least these people know what they are doing. This office was moved…read morefrom downtown and is a lot more spacious. I am sitting down instead of standing which is a great improvement! Plenty of parking. It's my fault I waited till the last day.

Useful county office. Seems like I'm always in a hurry when I come in. Bare bones Government style…read morebuilding. I think they keep employees a long time here. Staff are businesslike and efficient. It always amazes me how reasonable personal property taxes are. I have to wait this time because of my reporting error. They are working feverishly to fix the issue. Good folks here in this office.

Mounds Public Library has a wealth of historical artifacts from the region, including some visuals…read moreof Abe Lincoln in the genealogy room, which I found fascinating. There's a beautiful old roll top desk in the center of the building, among several other authentic antique tables and eclectic furnishings. The interior is spacious and divided into a children's area, stacks of fiction and a separate, walled-off space for the genealogy room. The circulation desk is very accessible and the bathrooms are clean and spacious. There is also a clean, spacious break room with a refrigerator and coffee maker. A group of people from Morris Library at SIUC in Carbondale has taken on the project of reorganizing the books to make the library functional again. The area residents who care for the library have wonderful, warm hearts, and care for the cultural legacy of their community. Once it opens up to the public again, this library will offer its valuable assets to the people of Mounds and all of southernmost Illinois. It seems like saving this library will make a big difference, especially for the children and others who live nearby. A team of volunteers will be visiting the area next weekend, November 23 and 24, 2013.

I am very impressed with Cape's new public library. I grew up going to this library, and it is…read moreunrecognizable! The children's section is awesome for my toddler, and me, who is able to relax on one of the comfy chairs. I can sit back and chillax, knowing he is safe. There are also so many programs offered for children and adults. All seem to be free of charge, I might add. Can't get better than that. In addition to the wide selection of books on the grounds, they offer ebooks, audio books, and e-magazines accessible on my home computer. I will always make sure before I spend money on an ebook, that I can't simply download it free. If I had to complain about one thing, it would be that the computers are too easy to get to. I come to the library hoping to get my son to love books. I find myself having to fight to keep him from wanting on the computer. Overall, I love this place, and am very grateful that the community of Cape Girardeau has this resource.

The wall's primary purpose is to hold back the flood waters of the mighty Mississippi River, which…read morefloods often. Most recently (Jan. 2016) the river crested over flood stage (32 feet) at 48.86 feet, which was pretty close to the top of the wall which is 53 feet high. The wall spans 500 feet and is covered with murals painted by various artists depicting the lives of 45 famous people who were born in Missouri or achieved fame while living there. Great way to take in some history as you stroll and so much better than a plan ole wall!

Great day to see the Missouri Wall Of Fame In Cape Girardeau, MO. Only 12 degrees and still worth…read morethe New Years Day drive! Ice on the Mississippi and the art on the wall to enjoy. Amazing artwork and history. Perfect for a nice long walk to enjoy!

I love love love cable-stayed bridges and the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge is an example of why…read more It's just beautiful. With two tall H-shaped piers similar to the Quincy Bayview Bridge (Illinois), the Great River Bridge (Iowa) and the Cochrane USA Bridge (Alabama). This one is named for a Missouri politician who served as a US Representative from 1981 to 1996, it was completed in 2003 and has 60 feet of clearance below to the Mississippi River. It carries four lanes of Route 34 and Route 74 and IL 146 between East Cape Girardeau Illinois and Cape Girardeau Missouri. The bridge replaced the old Cape Girardeau Bridge which was adjacent until it was demolished in 2004. There is no toll to cross the bridge. [Review 1249 of 2024 - 351 in Missouri - 22272 overall]

How does one review a bridge?…read more From Wikipedia: "The Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge connecting Missouri's Route 34 and Route 74 with Illinois Route 146 across the Mississippi River between Cape Girardeau, Missouri and East Cape Girardeau, Illinois." It seems Bill Emerson was a Missouri representative from the 80s and 90s. I'm not exactly sure what he did that earned him a commemorative bridge, but like all things, a rudimentary Google search will probably yield all the information you can handle or desire. At nearly 4000 feet long, and four lanes wide, this is a pretty big bridge, and certainly a feat of engineering. Perhaps more interesting for us SoCal folk was crossing the Mississippi River, which any third-grader can tell you is the largest river in North America. Also of note as far as we were concerned, the bridge signified that we were only 5 miles from our destination for the evening, Jackson Missouri... Where our air-conditioned hotel room provided a welcome respite from the Missouri summer of heat and humidity. If you like bridges, come check this one out. It's no Golden Gate in SF, it's no Yangpu bridge in Shanghai, heck, it's not even a Coronado Street bridge from San Diego, but when you consider the alternative methods of crossing the mighty Mississippi just 100 years ago, you come to appreciate little things like this, that so many of us take for granted.

Commanding a view over downtown Cape GIrardeau, this beautiful structure was completed in 1854 (and…read moresurvived the Civil War!) designed in the Federal style. It is two stories and includes a hipped roof and cupola. On a Sunday afternoon, the building was locked and secured so no opportunity to tour the inside. The outside, however, is stunning including the stairway down to the riverside neighborhood, the fabulous fountain (dedicated in 1911 in memory of the soldiers of the Civil War) and the bandstand. The bandstand had a couple of folks enjoying the power outlets and a nap. It's quite the structure and well worth a stop. [Review 1253 of 2024 - 355 in Missouri - 22276 overall]

Very efficient service here. You can go to either the Cape or Jackson location to get your tax…read morewaiver. This was my first time at the Cape office and was well served. When you move to Missouri, you are subject to an annual personal property tax. To register your car in Missouri, you obtain a waiver so that you are not subject to pay personal property fees until you have lived in the state through the calendar year. The Cape office is on Lorimer Street to the right of the courthouse. Very efficient and friendly staff.