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Common Pleas CourthouseCape GirardeauThe 1854 Common Pleas Courthouse, which once hosted Indian councils and held captive Confederate soldiers, overlooks the Mississippi River and downtown Cape Girardeau.View Destination |
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LiteratureMark Twain Laura Ingalls Wilder T.S. Elliot Langston Hughes Tennessee Williams Harold Bell Wright Mark Twain, Hannibal Samuel Clemens, better known to the world as Mark Twain, was an American humorist, author and lecturer. After being born in Florida, Mo., his family moved to Hannibal, where he grew up. The town is known for providing the colorful characters and stories in “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Twain began writing for his brother’s local newspaper, but he soon began traveling to cover stories on his own. One of the greatest American literary figures, Mark Twain died in 1910. About Hannibal – Located by the Mississippi River in northeast Missouri, Hannibal is best known as the boyhood home of Mark Twain. In fact, Twain’s beloved novels were inspired by stories from his childhood in Hannibal and his love of the river. Visit the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum and other area attractions to learn about one of the country’s most famous authors. Art lovers will enjoy a trip down the “50 Miles of Art.” Linking from Clarksville to Hannibal to Louisiana fine artists, craftspeople and artisans create hand-made masterpieces. For more information about Hannibal, please log on to the Hannibal Convention and Visitors Bureau . Laura Ingalls Wilder, Mansfield One of the country’s most famous children’s literary writers, Laura Ingalls> Wilder based her series of “Little House on the Prairie” books on her own family life. Wilder and her young family moved to Mansfield in 1894, and bought the Rocky Ridge Farm, transforming it from a 40-acre plot to a 200-acre working farm. Laura Ingalls Wilder lived in Mansfield until her death in the 1950s. About Mansfield - Mansfield, with its beautiful rolling hills and views, is nestled in the scenic Ozark Mountains. Just a quick drive from Springfield or Branson, the town is the perfect getaway for relaxation in southwest Missouri. Visitors may stop in at a local bed and breakfast for unparalleled Show-Me State hospitality and discover the natural beauty that helped inspire author Laura Ingalls Wilder. For more information, please visit the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce . Maya Angelou, St. Louis Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis on April 4, 1928. A multi-talented artist, she is an author, poet, historian, songwriter, playwright, dancer, stage and screen producer, director, performer, singer, and civil rights activist. She is best known for her autobiographical books, particularly “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” (1969), which was nominated for the National Book Award. Angelou also is well-known for her civil rights activism, having worked with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Additionally, Maya Angelou became the first female African-American film director in Hollywood with her movie “Down in the Delta.” About St. Louis – St. Louis truly is the Gateway to the West, combining history and culture from different heritages to create this modern metropolis. Home of many legendary places and events, St. Louis offers professional sports, arts, entertainment, shopping and fine dining for every visitor. Take a trip to St. Louis’s different neighborhoods for an escape to rich history, from Soulard to Laclede’s Landing, the Loop to the Hill and Kirkwood to Clayton; each one has something different to offer. For more information, please visit the Convention and Visitors Bureau of St. Louis. T.S. Eliot, St. Louis Thomas Stearns Eliot, one of the most daring innovators of 20th-century poetry, was born in St. Louis. He was educated at Harvard and eventually settled in England. In 1922, he founded the exclusive and influential literary journal, Criterion. Eliot also edited the publication during its 17-year run. Eliot's masterful poetry includes “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” (1917), “The Waste Land” (1922), “Ash Wednesday” (1930) and the “Four Quartets” (1943). T.S. Eliot died on Jan. 4, 1965. About St. Louis – St. Louis truly is the Gateway to the West, combining history and culture from different heritages to create this modern metropolis. Home of many legendary places and events, St. Louis offers professional sports, arts, entertainment, shopping and fine dining for every visitor. Take a trip to St. Louis’s different neighborhoods for an escape to rich history, from Soulard to Laclede’s Landing, the Loop to the Hill and Kirkwood to Clayton; each one has something different to offer. For more information, please visit the Convention and Visitors Bureau of St. Louis. Langston Hughes, Joplin Born in Joplin in 1902, poet James Langston Hughes was a member of an abolitionist family. He began writing poetry in the eighth grade and was then selected Class Poet. His first published poem, which was also one of his most famous, was “The Negro Speaks of Rivers.” Later, his poems, short plays, essays and short stories appeared in the NAACP publication Crisis Magazine, in Opportunity Magazine and in other noted publications. In the 41 years between his first book in 1926 and his death in 1967, he devoted his life to writing and lecturing. He wrote 16 books of poems, two novels, three collections of short stories, four volumes of “editorial” and “documentary” fiction, 20 plays, children's poetry, musicals and operas, three autobiographies, a dozen radio and television scripts and dozens of magazine articles. About Joplin – Located in southwest Missouri, Joplin welcomes visitor with a unique blend of the wholesome, rural charm and amenities generally characterized by much larger cities. The fourth largest metro area in Missouri, Joplin routinely ranks high as one of the best places in the United States in which to live, work and raise a family. Joplin has successfully merged a rich history with a modern, progressive economical, education and cultural environment resulting in meaningful and dynamic opportunities for residents and visitors alike. For more information about visiting Joplin, please log on to the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau . Tennessee Williams, St. Louis Thomas Lanier Williams was born in Columbus, Miss., on March 26, 1911, and moved to St. Louis with his family in 1918. Near the end of World War II in 1944, what many consider to be his finest play, “The Glass Menagerie”, had a very successful run in Chicago and a year later burst its way onto Broadway. Containing autobiographical elements from both his days in St. Louis as well as from his family’s past in Mississippi, the play won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle award as the best play of the season. Williams won two Pulitzer Prizes (for “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”). His other plays include “A Rose Tattoo,” “Night of the Iguana” and “Suddenly Last Summer.” Williams died on Feb. 24, 1983. About St. Louis – St. Louis truly is the Gateway to the West, combining history and culture from different heritages to create this modern metropolis. Home of many legendary places and events, St. Louis offers professional sports, arts, entertainment, shopping and fine dining for every visitor. Take a trip to St. Louis’s different neighborhoods for an escape to rich history, from Soulard to Laclede’s Landing, the Loop to the Hill and Kirkwood to Clayton; each one has something different to offer. For more information, please visit the Convention and Visitors Bureau of St. Louis . Harold Bell Wright, Branson Harold Bell Wright was a minister-author whose most famous book, “The Shepherd of the Hills,” sparked the first wave of tourism into the Missouri Ozarks. Wright traveled to the Ozarks from New York hoping to recover from his ailing health, but he discovered much more than he sought in the hill country. In 1904, Wright began writing down his impressions of the settlers and the events that shaped their lives at his campsite. These observations became a novel, which until one of Wright's friends insisted on backing its publication in 1907. “The Shepherd of the Hills” marked a spectacular turning point in Wright's literary career. The book's success was almost immediate. Millions of copies were sold in several languages, and four movies versions were filmed. Wright's 40-year career as a writer resulted in 19 books, many scripts for stage plays, and a number of magazine articles before his death in 1944. About Branson – As America’s new entertainment capital, Branson draws audiences and nationally renowned performers to its dozens of live theaters. This year, Branson offers more than 100 shows, and Branson's stars can be spotted each morning, afternoon and evening in almost every type of theatrical performance imaginable. After you’ve had a taste of Branson’s world-famous live entertainment, check out the various other attractions, including Silver Dollar City, Celebration City, Table Rock Lake, Ride the Ducks and more. For more information, call 800-397-9339 or visit the Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau . |
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