Sikeston

    In my travels, Sikeston Missouri has never been a true destination.  I usually zip pass the town on my way to Cape Girardeau, or stop briefly at a gas station or restaurant near the exit for Highway 60 East.  My excuse for passing the town has always been that Cape Girardeau has culture, history, and a beautiful downtown while Sikeston has box stores, outlet malls, and factories.  I was right about the box stores and factories, but I was wrong in thinking that was all Sikeston had to offer a traveler.  While it lacks the river culture of Cape Girardeau, it certainly has a charming downtown, historic buildings, and it's unique brand of culture.

     The city has done a lot of beautification in the downtown area by widening sidewalks, adding attractive street lamps, and encouraging public murals on old brick buildings.   There is also a movement to add real business to the downtown area, something that is not strong in any downtown except Cape Girardeau.   It is refreshing to see "mom and pop" stores lining sidewalks and not major highways.  These stores represent real Americana at it's absolute finest because they are owned by ordinary people.  Besides, I did not see any big box retail stores near such beautiful murals.

     There are three murals in the downtown area and all are practically on the same street.  The biggest mural represents the history and culture of the greater Sikeston area, from rodeos to swamplands and air force bases to throwed rolls.  It is amazing that a public mural can say so much about a town without using a single word.  In one glance, a person can see some of the fabric that makes up Sikeston, Missouri. 

Then there are the ionic Greek style columns that once belonged to a church.  Maybe it's silly, but I really enjoy looking at Greek style architecture and will travel long distances just to see regal looking columns.  I struggled to find these columns at first but an older lady gave me really good directions by saying " just take that street over yonder and go all the way down.....if you keep going, you'll smack 'em".