History of St. Louis Missouri

Histories

The Mississippian culture was rooted in this area. French explorers visited the area during their 1673 exploration of Mississippi. Pierre Laclede Liguest from New Orleans, a fur-trader and explorer, established a post on the spot in 1764. It was Spanish territory at the time. Auguste Chouteau laid the foundation and named it Louis IX (the French Canonized King). St. Louis (1800), was later retroceded back to France and made an American territory after the Louisiana Purchase (1803). In 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition embarked on an epic expedition to explore the Pacific Northwest. It was also the capital city of Missouri (1812), as well as Louisiana (1805).

St. Louis was a major river port after the 1817 arrival of steamboats. During the 19th century, many immigrants from Germany and Ireland arrived in St. Louis. This is the Missouri Constitution Convention (1820). After Kansas became a state (1821), the capital was moved to Kansas. It was America’s central point for westward expansion. It was used by exploration groups, fur-trading expeditions, and pioneers who traveled across the state beginning in Independence. Many were killed when a steamboat carrying cholera was set ablaze at the riverfront. Railroads were built in the 1850s. In the 1870s, they were replacing steamboats. St. Louis was once a Union base. However, it was taken under martial laws during the American Civil War.

Up until the mid-1800s, fur trading was still very important. St. Louis was transformed into an industrial hub for brewing, including shoe manufacturing, in the second half of 19th century. The bridge linking the Mississippi railroads was called the Eads Bridge (1874). It is now a National Historic Landmark. This made St. Louis an important transportation hub. The Louisiana Purchase Exposition was held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase. Also known as the St. Louis World’s Fair, it marked the occasion. It was held in Forest Park west of St. Louis. It was held alongside the 1904 Olympic Games. It attracted international attention. Charles A. Lindbergh flew alone across the Atlantic Ocean with financial support from St. Louis businessmen.

In the second half of 19th century, St. Louis saw steady growth. Despite the slow growth during the Great Depression of 1930s, it rose steadily during World War II and reached an all-time high in 1950 at 850,000. This was the time when more African Americans were among the newcomers. The city’s population decreased rapidly over the next few decades. It was approximately equivalent to 1880 in 2000. This is roughly two-fifths of its 1950 level. The majority of those who moved out of the city were European-born. They moved to the suburbs which saw rapid growth. But, St. Louis’s African Americans population declined faster and by 2000, more than half its residents were black.

Modern City

St. Louis remains a major transportation and distribution hub. It is the country’s second-largest inland port, and an important part of the Inland Waterway Systems. It is Mississippi’s northernmost point, and it remains ice-free all year. It houses a wide range of cargoes including grain, petroleum products, and chemicals. St. Louis is home to an international airport and a network interstate highways. It is the country’s largest rail hub. The city is home to many large corporations. Services dominate the economy. These services include financial, banking, health care, telecommunications, as well as airline operations. Education is another key contributor. Manufacturing is the mainstay of the economy. Many products make up the economy, including beer and metal products as well as missiles. Another important source of high-tech industries is the Illinois Air Force Base.

The metro area is home to many higher education institutions. Microfilms of Vatican Library treasures are available at the Pius XII Memorial Library (1818), St. Louis University. William Greenleaf Eliot (1853), greatgrandfather to T.S. Washington University was founded by Eliot. Eliot and St. Louis College of Pharmacy dates back to 1864. University of Missouri-St. Just northwest of University of Missouri-St. Louis (1963). Other schools include Lindenwood University of St. Charles (1861), Harris-Stowe State College (1861), Maryville University of St. Louis (2722) or Webster University of St. Louis (225). Fontbonne University1923 may also be an option. St. Louis Community College (62).

Read More Here:

http://thedailyjournalonline.com/how-dangerous-is-st-louis/

http://www.accelacomm.com/st-louis-style-pizza/

http://www.regionalvoices.org/where-is-dogtown-st-louis/

http://compoundthinking.com/what-to-do-in-st-louis-in-the-winter/

http://pressunion.org/st-louis-mardi-gras-history/

http://stnews.org/28-free-things-to-do-in-st-louis/

https://only-the-news.com/spanish-lake-missouri-history/

https://only-the-news.com/the-history-of-florissant-missouri/

https://www.localbiznetwork.com/articles/st-louis-missouri-history/