Through the Years

“There’s no place like home.” It was true in The Wizard of Oz, and it’s true for the people who have, for over 150 years, called Sikeston their home town. Sikeston has never been a sprawling metropolis or an industrial powerhouse. But from the most humble of beginnings, it has made its mark.

It started with a ridge of high ground surrounded by mile after mile of swamp. First came the Mississippian Indians, then the Spanish, the French, and Lewis and Clark. The railroad finally began the arduous journey into Missouri’s interior. It was the railroad that brought our founder to this spot.

“I, John Sikes, am going to start me a town and I am going to call it the Town of Sikeston.” His simple statement made in 1860 started it all.

Over the years, timber was cut, the swamps were drained, and rich farmland was created. Sikeston grew into an agricultural and commercial center for the region. By the 1940s, Sikeston had more millionaires per capita than any other city in the United States.

Contained in the pages of this book are images and stories of our unique community. Sikeston’s contributions in World War II … the one-of-a-kind Red Peppers … the remarkable success of the football Bulldogs … the nationally-known Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo … the legendary Lambert’s Café.

Thumb through the pages and enjoy our hometown with us.

To Order Contact:

Sikeston Cultural Development Corp.
PO Box 182
Sikeston, MO 63801

Book Committee

One of the wonderful things about living in a small town is that sense of community we get from knowing generations of families – children, parents, and grandparents. This same sense also comes to us as we remember our past in the streets and buildings that surround us. This pictorial history is only a slice of life from our past and present, not the whole story.

We have worked diligently to be accurate concerning dates, photos, names, and places – captions were prepared with information available at the time of publication. Because we are only human, there will be errors, and we apologize for this in advance. The saying, “Authors/writers never feel their book is complete” is certainly true for us.

That said, preserving the past, present and future for generations to come will always be the mission of the Sikeston Depot Museum.

The Book Committee

• Betty Johns
• Dottie Limbaugh
• Janice Matthews
• Mike Marsh