The Heritage of the Sikeston and Miner Area!

     The history of the Sikeston - Miner area is as rich as its soil. In fact, one of the most fascinating aspects of our heritage is the story of the land upon which the communities stand. You will find this noted on the community monument on the corner of Scott and North streets in the historic district of downtown Sikeston.

     When the first settlers came to the region, they were welcomed by a wild and varied landscape. It was here that oceans and rivers once ran free, and cypress swamps, marshes and bayous covered the ground. Bottomland forests of oak, hickory, gum, cottonwood, and sycamore grew wild, and prairies stretched as far as the eye could see. The Sikeston - Miner area, then known as the "Big Prairie", was described as "a delightful spot interspersed with beautiful groves resembling small islands in a lake."

     At the beginning of the 20th century, the Little River Drainage District was formed to reclaim the land. An engineering feat, it is the largest drainage district in the nation. Today, seemingly endless fields of cotton, corn, wheat, soybeans and vegetables proclaim the richness of the legacy left by the rivers and swampland. These bountiful lands welcome visitors to the Sikeston - Miner area where, amidst the nation's most diverse agricultural region, two modern-day communities offer visitors all the amenities they need and enjoy — restaurants, hotels, shopping and service businesses.

     In 1789, by order of the King of Spain, an overland route was laid out to connect the cities of St. Louis and New Orleans. It was along this early frontier route, know as El Camino Real or King's Highway, that the City of Sikeston was founded in 1860 by a determined John Sikes. Now known as U. S. Highway 61, the Spanish King's Highway serves as Sikeston's Main Street. U. S. Highway 61 bisects the city and runs parallel with the original route, Kingshighway.

     Kingshighway remains a major artery in the Sikeston - Miner area and visitors are encouraged to take a drive along this historic avenue. Here you'll find several fine antique shops, a Bed and Breakfast Inn, the Victorian Café, and a number of the area's beautiful and historic homes, as well as an El Camino Real Historic Marker identifying the city's link to Spain.

     A drive along Kingshighway will also take you to the heart of Sikeston's historic downtown. Along the cobble stoned Front Street, visitors can enjoy the shade and historic ambiance of American Legion Park and tour Sikeston's Historic Depot, which houses a historic museum, an art gallery featuring local artists' work, and a cultural center displaying traveling exhibits from national museums.

     In historic downtown Sikeston, you will find century old structures which house a variety of retail shops, restaurants and service businesses. It is also home to the city's oldest park, Malone Park, and the historic Methodist Church Columns. These six majestic pillars are a stately reminder of the city's religious heritage and the beautiful First Methodist Church which was erected in 1879 and tragically destroyed by fire in 1968.

     As you explore the area's rich heritage, you may forget that things weren't always this peaceful and "still" in Southeast Missouri. From December 16, 1811 to February 4, 1812, the area and the nation were rocked by a series of more than 2,000 earthquakes, the New Madrid Earthquakes. These great shock waves were the greatest earthquakes in North American history. Today, more than 200 small earthquakes are recorded in the New Madrid Seismic Zone each year.

     The turbulence in the region felt during the Earthquake of 1811 & 1812 was relived during the Civil War. Situated near and/or on the Mason-Dixon line, our area was - like the rest of the country - divided in its politics and allegiance.

     Although Sikeston was only a small village during the Civil War, her position on the railroad and the King's Highway gave it importance. Late in February, 1862, Union Brig. General John Pope marched into Sikeston, where the head of his column fell into a skirmish with 20 or more rebels headed by General Jeff Thompson. At one point, Thompson robbed a bank in Charleston to pay men and buy arms and supplies. Legend has it he hid part of his money under one of the oak trees at the corner of New Madrid Street and Kingshighway.

     The Sikeston - Miner area was again touched by the war during World War II when the Harvey Parks Airport, now the Sikeston Municipal Airport, served as a flight training school for pilots entering the U. S. Army Air Corps. The original gated entrance to Harvey Parks Airport now serves as the entrance to the city's Veterans' Park. The park, with a brick walkway and monument, pays homage to the brave men and women who sacrificed life and limb to make our country great. Other features in the park include the display of a 50-ton M60 battle tank and an F-4 Phantom jet fighter plane and a 105mm Howitzer cannon.

     Following WWII, the City of Miner was born. Originally known as Minner in honor of one of the original landowners residing there, the railroad, when erecting a sign to mark their switching station, inadvertently left out the "n" in the town's name and Minner became Miner Switch. In 1951, thanks to modern day pioneer William Howard McGill, the City of Miner was incorporated.

     The fabric of life in Miner and Sikeston has been woven by many cultures, races and religions. Today the residents of the region proudly preserve and share their past with visitors.