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.
Visitor Tips and News About Miracle Flood Repelling Virgin Mary
Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.
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
The Piasa Bird, Alton, IL - 8 mi.
Ruins of Civil War Military Prison, Alton, IL - 8 mi.
Miles Davis Statue, Alton, IL - 9 mi.Latest Tips Across Roadside America
Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.
Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!
Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.
