Remnant of Island Number 14

USA / Missouri / Caruthersville /
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Now merged with the Missouri shore.
As for its name, Island number 14 dates from 1801 when Z Cramer published his book of navigational charts of the Lower Mississippi (downstream from Cairo, IL). Instead of using names for the river's many sandy islands, which frequently have many conflicting local names, he opted to use numbers starting with Island Number 1 some five miles south of Cairo, IL. Island number 14 was the 14th island on the river as boats proceed south. Many islands have since disappeared due to the Mississippi's changing course, thus Island Number 14 is no longer the 14th island, yet the original name persisted.
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Coordinates:   36°8'4"N   89°37'19"W
This article was last modified 7 years ago