Portage des Sioux, Missouri: Miracle Flood Repelling Virgin Mary
Prayers to the Blessed Virgin averted damage to Portage des Sioux in a 1951 Mississippi River flood. Acknowledging the miraculous intercession of "Our Lady of the Rivers," in 1957 the citizens raised money and erected a 25 ft. tall fiberglass statue on a 20 ft. tall base. It's also visible from the Illinois side of the river.
Our Lady of the Rivers
- Address:
- Le Seurre St., Portage des Sioux, MO
- Directions:
- MO-94 to CR J for 1 mile into town. Right on Common Field St., 1/4 mile to Le Seurre St. to the shrine.
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Virgin Mary Stops a Flood From the Great River Road west of Alton, Illinois, we spotted a Virgin Mary statue in Missouri, across the Mississippi River -- which is about a half mile wide at this point, so the statue is huge.
The religious landmark is at the place where a miracle occurred, as witnessed by the citizens of Portage des Sioux. In 1951, the small farming town was about to be inundated by rising floodwaters. A week of fervent praying to "Our Lady of the Rivers" -- a novel new title for Mary -- spared the town as the waters finally receded. In 1957 they erected a statue on a large base -- the whole monument about 45 ft. tall.
She still stands as Portage des Sioux's first line of defense.
[RoadsideAmerica.com Team, 10/09/2012]Nearby Offbeat Places
- Fin Inn - Dine While Looking at Fish, Grafton, IL - 7 mi.
- The Piasa Bird, Alton, IL - 8 mi.
- Original Monster Truck, Hazelwood, MO - 11 mi.
- The Piasa: Monstrous Mascot, Piasa, IL - 17 mi.
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