The handball court located on the Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus is locally and nationally significant as a representation of early American recreation and social history in the United States of America. The handball court is quite possibly the oldest handball court remaining in the United States. Research shows that the oldest court was thought to be located in San Francisco, California, but that court dates from 1873. The first handball court on the campus of St. Vincent College in Cape Girardeau was built by the Vincentians around 1843 (now the site of the River Campus). Handball was a sport that has been historically linked to coming to America via Ireland and Catholic teaching orders. However, the National Register nomination for St. Vincent College found here: http://www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/nps-nr/05001092.pdf explains that hand-played ball games originated in ancient Egypt in 2000 BC. Alexander the Great introduced the game to the Greek colonies in Italy in 450 BC, from which it spread to Spain and France. Variations of the game are found throughout Europe by the sixteenth century and are often near church buildings to encourage play away from the church. In France, which is home to the Vincentian order, a version of the game invented by monks evolved into tennis. Because of its date of construction and associations with the Vincentians, it is possible that the structure's design has associations with the French antecedents. The handball court represents the work of local builder Joseph Lansman who has been lauded as the "Man that Built Cape Girardeau." Lansman's achievements are great and some of his most notable Cape Girardeau creations are St. Vincents College, Old St. Vincents Church, the Common Pleas Court House, the Bufordville Covered Bridge and many more not listed here. The importance of our past cannot be overlooked when making decisions for our future. By preserving the handball court, the University would show its commitment to the community and to our heritage. The handball court represents a simpler time in life and is the work of a man who helped shape the community in which we live today.