Cinque Hommes Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cinque Hommes Creek |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Perry County, MO Approximately 518 ft (158 m) 37°41′32″N 89°53′00″W / 37.69222°N 89.88333°W |
| River mouth | Mississippi River Cape Cinque Hommes, MO 348 ft (106 m) 37°45′12″N 89°40′12″W / 37.75333°N 89.67000°W |
| Length | 17.1 mi (27.5 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 70.1 sq mi (182 km2) |
Cinque Hommes Creek is a small river in Missouri, USA. It flows through Perry County, Missouri and eventually joins the mighty Mississippi River. This creek is about 17 miles (27.5 km) long.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name "Cinque Hommes Creek" has an interesting story. In early French, the creek was sometimes called "à la viande," which means "with meat."
The name "Cinque Hommes" sounds like "five men" in French. However, it probably came from a Canadian Catholic missionary priest named Father Jean Francois Buisson de St. Cosme. In French, "St. Cosme" and "Cinque Hommes" sound very similar. So, early French explorers might have heard "St. Cosme" but thought it meant "Cinque Hommes."
Where Does the Creek Flow?
Cinque Hommes Creek starts in Cinque Hommes Township in Perry County, Missouri. It then winds its way through other areas like Central and Salem townships.
The creek finally empties into the Mississippi River near a town called Menfro, Missouri. This spot is close to a place on the Mississippi River known as Cape Cinque Hommes.
Caves and Springs
The area around Cinque Hommes Creek is home to several cool cave systems. These include Moore Cave, Crevice Cave, Mystery Cave, Rimstone River Cave, and Running Bull Cave. Many smaller streams and springs also flow into Cinque Hommes Creek, adding to its water. Some of these are:
- Ball Mill Spring
- Blue Spring
- Bois Brule Creek
- Doc White Spring
- Hog Pen Spring
- Keyhole Spring
- Sandy Branch
- Schawanes Springs Branch
- Spring Branch
- Sutterer Spring
- Tyler Branch
- Quarry Spring
Bridges Over the Creek
Over the years, several bridges have been built to cross Cinque Hommes Creek. These bridges help people and vehicles travel easily.
One old bridge, the Cinque Hommes Creek Route B Bridge, was built in 1888. It was a truss bridge, which is a type of bridge that uses a strong framework. Sadly, this bridge collapsed in 1962 after a very heavy truck tried to cross it. A new bridge was built in its place the next year.
Another important bridge was the Cinque Hommes US 61 Bridge. This truss bridge was built in 1930. It was replaced in 1996 with a newer type called a stringer bridge.
The creek flows into the Mississippi River south of Menfro, in an area called the Red Rock Landing Conservation Area. This area is important for nature and wildlife.
A Bit of History
The name "Cape St. Cosme" or "Cape Cinque Hommes" on the Mississippi River is linked to Father Jean Francois Buisson de Saint Cosme. He was a missionary priest from Quebec, Canada.
In 1698, Father St. Cosme visited this spot. He even put up a cross on a famous rock formation called Grand Tower. Father St. Cosme was born in France and became a priest when he was 23 years old. He worked in different places, including Tamaroa, Illinois, and with the Natchez Indians in Lower Louisiana.
Sadly, Father St. Cosme died in 1702 during a conflict with the Chitimacha Indians while traveling down the Mississippi River. His name lives on through the cape and the creek.
Gallery
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Flooded Cinque Hommes Creek at Menfro, Missouri
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Highway 61 Bridge south of Perryville, MO
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View north of Hwy 61 bridge
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View south of Hwy 61 bridge
