Cape Girardeau, MO: Fort D: Dark of the Sun–Fort D and the Eclipse.
Company E and Civilians hosted in an eclipse-watching and living history event at Fort D in Cape Girardeau, MO, Monday, April 8, 2024. Over 700 visitors, almost all from outside of Cape Girardeau, representing 38 states and eight foreign countries, came to Fort D to see the eclipse and learn about the fort’s history. Visitors told the hosts that they had specifically chosen Fort D as their viewing area because it offered other things to do while waiting for the eclipse. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Alabama, and Tennessee were particularly well-represented. A school in Mississippi sent a busload of middle and high schoolers.
Hundreds of spectators from around the country gathered to watch the total eclipse of the sun at the Fort D Dark of the Sun living history in Cape Girardeau, MO, on April 8, 2024.
Turners hosting the eclipse-watching event check the advance of the moon’s shadow across the sun at the Fort D Dark of the Sun living history in Cape Girardeau, MO, on April 8, 2024.
While spectators waited for the eclipse, a Turner crew fired the fort’s Ordnance rifle several times during the day at the Fort D Dark of the Sun living history in Cape Girardeau, MO, on April 8, 2024.
Spectators watch as the eclipse of the sun approaches totality at the Fort D Dark of the Sun living history in Cape Girardeau, MO, on April 8, 2024.
Spectators watch as the eclipse of the sun approaches totality at the Fort D Dark of the Sun living history in Cape Girardeau, MO, on April 8, 2024.
Dennis Drum, Scott House, Randy Baehr, Bill Eddleman, and Mark Jones comprised the artillery crew at the Fort D Dark of the Sun living history in Cape Girardeau, MO, on April 8, 2024.