Mark Twain Views Cape Girardeau

     In his book Life on the Mississippi , author Mark Twain recorded his visual encounter with Cape Girardeau through his description of two grand educational institutions. Says Twain, " Cape Girardeau is situated on a hillside, and makes a handsome appearance."  There is a great Jesuit school for boys at the foot of the town by the river. Uncle Mumford said it had as high a reputation for thoroughness as any similar institution in Missouri. There was another college higher up on an airy summit - a bright new edifice, picturesquely and peculiarly towered and pinnacled -a sort of gigantic casters, with the cruets all complete."

      “The Jesuit School for Boys referred to by Twain was in fact a Vincentian School known as St. Vincent’s Seminary.  The Vincentian fathers operated the seminary until it’s closure in 1979.  Today, the property is still a center of learning as it is home to Southeast Missouri State University’s Earl and Margie Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts.”

     The "towered and pinnacled" college, (the Normal School) was a grand Victorian building. Since removed from the site due to a devastating fire, the original location has grown to be the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

     In keeping with the visions of Mark Twain, the two properties are bound together once again.