history of st. louis
Although St. Louis continues to struggle with its identity, it still remains one of the greatest American cities to date. After 250 years, both turmoil and prosperity have shaped St. Louis into the city it is today. The history of St. Louis is remarkable; it is the location of one of the World’s Fairs, hosts several American sports teams, and is the home of the famous Gateway Arch. The beginning of the city starts all the way up to the colonial years during the days of the Revolutionary War.
Colonial Days, 1764 – 1820s: The first colonizers to set foot on the grounds of St. Louis were French fur traders from New Orleans. Pierre Laclede together with his partner Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxtent and a team of 20 men constructed a settlement along the Mississippi River. Laclede named the post St. Louis in honor of St. Louis IX, the patron saint of the current king at the time Louis XV. Early hardships ensued, including frequent raids by Native Americans, diseases, and malnourishment. France relinquished its land to Spain after losing Florida to Great Britain during the French and Indian war. Although it took Spain 6 years to take control of the city, strict trade rules and food taxes were implemented after Spain took over power. The French colonizers were made to swear allegiance to Spain if they were to live in the city. [1],[2]
The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 switched the authority of St. Louis over to American hands after Thomas Jefferson purchased a third of present day America from the French. The transition became known as “Three Flags Day” since Spain transferred its power to France which sold it to America. [1]
In August 1812, Louis Debourg was named Apostolic Administrator of Louisiana whose headquarters were centered in St. Louis. This event was a turning point in history because this Catholic presence helped solidify St. Louis as a town. Shortly after, Missouri entered into the Union in 1821 and thrived as one of the most prosperous locations in all of America. By 1830 it was occupied by over 5000 citizens, had a mayor, a hospital, and a military base , a courthouse, and St. Louis College which became St. Louis University.[1]
Colonial Days, 1764 – 1820s: The first colonizers to set foot on the grounds of St. Louis were French fur traders from New Orleans. Pierre Laclede together with his partner Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxtent and a team of 20 men constructed a settlement along the Mississippi River. Laclede named the post St. Louis in honor of St. Louis IX, the patron saint of the current king at the time Louis XV. Early hardships ensued, including frequent raids by Native Americans, diseases, and malnourishment. France relinquished its land to Spain after losing Florida to Great Britain during the French and Indian war. Although it took Spain 6 years to take control of the city, strict trade rules and food taxes were implemented after Spain took over power. The French colonizers were made to swear allegiance to Spain if they were to live in the city. [1],[2]
The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 switched the authority of St. Louis over to American hands after Thomas Jefferson purchased a third of present day America from the French. The transition became known as “Three Flags Day” since Spain transferred its power to France which sold it to America. [1]
In August 1812, Louis Debourg was named Apostolic Administrator of Louisiana whose headquarters were centered in St. Louis. This event was a turning point in history because this Catholic presence helped solidify St. Louis as a town. Shortly after, Missouri entered into the Union in 1821 and thrived as one of the most prosperous locations in all of America. By 1830 it was occupied by over 5000 citizens, had a mayor, a hospital, and a military base , a courthouse, and St. Louis College which became St. Louis University.[1]
Western Immigration, 1820s – 1840s: The city continued to rise economically, and became a powerhouse for fur-trading. The Missouri and Mississippi Rivers provided trade connections to the eastern markets and New Orleans. One of Missouri’s economic advantage points which ultimately sparked issues regarding slavery was having a mix of northern and southern cultures. The two cultures helped expand the city economically by offering their unique goods and services as more and more businesses sprung up along the riverfront. However, the rift between the anti-slavery north and the pro-slavery south began to form after several African-American persecution incidences two of which included the burning of Francis McIntosh for interfering with a patrol squad and the murder of Elijah Lovejoy after a pro-slavery mob invaded his printing press. [1],[3]
By 1841, St Louis had become the second largest port in the nation averaging 5 steamboat lands per day. The Great Irish Famine and a series of German rebellions fueled immigration from these countries into St. Louis which greatly increased the population and altered the city’s balanced culture.[1]
By 1841, St Louis had become the second largest port in the nation averaging 5 steamboat lands per day. The Great Irish Famine and a series of German rebellions fueled immigration from these countries into St. Louis which greatly increased the population and altered the city’s balanced culture.[1]
War, Fire, & Disease, 1840s - 1865: A tragic year for St. Louis occurred in 1849, after the steamboat White Cloud caught fire. “The Great Fire,” as it was named, spread onto 23 other steamers and engulfed the freight of supplies on the levee which eventually spread to the nearby town destroying more than 400 buildings and killing a firefighter. Before the city could recover from the wreckage, a devastating Cholera epidemic overtook its citizens. Immigrants from Germany and Holland brought the bacterial infection with them from New Orleans and unfortunately led to the deaths of at least 6% of the St. Louis population at the time which could have been about 5,000 victims.[1]
Despite these tragedies, the population of St. Louis remained constant at around 80,000 citizens. The building of several schools including a high school and Washington University helped St. Louis bounce back. Steamboats became outdated as the railroad made its way onto the scene around 1855 and helped link St. Louis to Jefferson City, over 130 miles away.[1]
The obvious northern and southern slavery rift sprung up again when Dred Scott sued for his freedom against the prestigious Blow family in St. Louis. He brought his case to the circuit court of St. Louis and initially won, but the decision was appealed by his owner, Irene Emerson. The case was then brought to the Missouri Supreme Court where the decision was reversed which led to Scott’s appeal to turn it over the United States Supreme Court. Dred Scott argued that his owner illegally owned him while they resided in Illinois, a free state. The U.S. Supreme court came to rule that black slaves were not U.S. citizens and had no rights and therefore could not sue. The nation was slowly dividing as this decision led both sides to the brink of civil war.[3]
St. Louis remained a military center for the Union although most of Missouri was still pro-Confederate. The port housed a huge military arsenal of weapons and was responsible for training three major Union generals including would-be president Ulysses S. Grant. Although the actual city never erupted into battle, the only incident St. Louis was involved with in the war became known as the Camp Jackson Affair. The Union forces invaded the Confederate camp which was positioned near present day grounds of St. Louis university. The army captured the camp without firing a single round until Union Captain Constantin Blandowski was shot down by an unknown perpetrator. The nervous Union army then began firing randomly into the crowd claiming more than 30 casualties. After this incident, St. Louis remained relatively passive during the war. [1]
Despite these tragedies, the population of St. Louis remained constant at around 80,000 citizens. The building of several schools including a high school and Washington University helped St. Louis bounce back. Steamboats became outdated as the railroad made its way onto the scene around 1855 and helped link St. Louis to Jefferson City, over 130 miles away.[1]
The obvious northern and southern slavery rift sprung up again when Dred Scott sued for his freedom against the prestigious Blow family in St. Louis. He brought his case to the circuit court of St. Louis and initially won, but the decision was appealed by his owner, Irene Emerson. The case was then brought to the Missouri Supreme Court where the decision was reversed which led to Scott’s appeal to turn it over the United States Supreme Court. Dred Scott argued that his owner illegally owned him while they resided in Illinois, a free state. The U.S. Supreme court came to rule that black slaves were not U.S. citizens and had no rights and therefore could not sue. The nation was slowly dividing as this decision led both sides to the brink of civil war.[3]
St. Louis remained a military center for the Union although most of Missouri was still pro-Confederate. The port housed a huge military arsenal of weapons and was responsible for training three major Union generals including would-be president Ulysses S. Grant. Although the actual city never erupted into battle, the only incident St. Louis was involved with in the war became known as the Camp Jackson Affair. The Union forces invaded the Confederate camp which was positioned near present day grounds of St. Louis university. The army captured the camp without firing a single round until Union Captain Constantin Blandowski was shot down by an unknown perpetrator. The nervous Union army then began firing randomly into the crowd claiming more than 30 casualties. After this incident, St. Louis remained relatively passive during the war. [1]
Development of the Future Great City of the World, 1865 - 1890: After the war, St. Louis began developing its infrastructure with a series of park openings and the construction of Compton Hill Reservoir. The Eads Bridge, which was the first bridge to ever cross the Mississippi River formally opened on the 4th of July, 1874 costing close to 11 million dollars. These new additions to the city fueled the confidence of many St. Louis patrons who now sought to make St. Louis into the greatest city of the west. It started by dividing the county of St. Louis from the actual city in 1876 so it could stop funding the 22,000 farmers spread uniformly across its land. The new city charter proposal which became known as “The Great Divorce” was passed to extend the city boundaries to 61 square miles which it still occupies today.[1],[2]
The Rising Fourth City, 1890 – 1904: Although the steam boat had largely contributed to St. Louis’ economic wealth, it was slowly becoming outdated in its use for transportation. St. Louis’ economy still continued to thrive on industries making food products and household commodities with the help of the steam locomotive. By 1890, major construction modifications were made to attend to the growing population. Skyscraper designs were set forth in the city that could no longer expand outward but rather upward. The stores and walls located on the levee were cramped and no longer useful. Adler and Sullivan’s architecture came up with design of the Wainwright Building, the first skyscraper in St. Louis to be built. In 1894 another trademark St. Louis structure, Union Station, was finished boasting the largest train shed in the world costing $6.5 million.[1]
Figure 4 – The Wainwright Building |Source: Missouri History Museum [4]
Figure 4 – The Wainwright Building |Source: Missouri History Museum [4]
On May 27,1896, a tornado demolished the entire south side of St. Louis killing at least 140 people and destroying 8000 buildings. The damage was estimated at $10 million. At the turn of the century, St. Louis reached 575,000 inhabitants, 19% of which were foreign born and 41% of which had foreign born parents. The city had become polluted and congested but was still considered in high standing at the time. A mixture of different cultures occupied the south side, mostly Chinese and Eastern European immigrants. The wealthier citizens owned private places on the edge of the developed city to get away from the congestion. Some of these places included Vandeventer Place and Compton Heights.[1]
The World’s Fair and the Olympic Games, 1904 - 1915: In 1904, St. Louis was chosen to host the World's Fair in Forest Park, a 1200 acre site on the present day campus of Washington University. The fair had over 200,000 attendees on opening day and 1500 buildings erected including twelve grand palaces, the Festival Hall and Grand Cascade, 43 foreign nations' buildings and 45 U.S. state and territorial pavilions. The 1904 Olympic games were held simultaneously with the World's Fair. This was the 3rd modern day Olympics and the first to be held in the U.S. The location was held at Francis Field which is still used as the athletic field at Washington University. It is estimated that at least 20 million people visited the two events in that year. The symbol of St. Louis still used today is the Apotheosis of St. Louis which was originally made of staff but was enlarged and set in bronze because it was so admired by all patrons passing through.[4]
The Pageant and Masque celebration in 1914 honored the 150th anniversary of St. Louis’ 1764 founding. A theatrical event with a cast of 7700 actors was held on the natural amphitheater of Art Hill. The Pageant and Masque had over 455,000 spectators over 5 nights. After the World's Fair, the City Plan Commission was established in 1912 created to improve urban planning and land use practices. In 1918, the CPC made St. Louis the second city in America to adopt city-wide zoning of land uses. In 1913, The Jefferson Memorial Building was built to hold the artifacts and papers from the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.[1],[5]
The Pageant and Masque celebration in 1914 honored the 150th anniversary of St. Louis’ 1764 founding. A theatrical event with a cast of 7700 actors was held on the natural amphitheater of Art Hill. The Pageant and Masque had over 455,000 spectators over 5 nights. After the World's Fair, the City Plan Commission was established in 1912 created to improve urban planning and land use practices. In 1918, the CPC made St. Louis the second city in America to adopt city-wide zoning of land uses. In 1913, The Jefferson Memorial Building was built to hold the artifacts and papers from the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.[1],[5]
World War I and the Prohibition, 1915 - 1930: After World War I erupted, German citizens in St. Louis were stuck on the fence between defending the German motherland or staying true to America. German was no longer taught in schools and German books were removed from the St. Louis Public Library. German street names were re-named; even German music was banned.[1]
The deadliest race riot occurred in history in 1917 after white workers went on strike from the Aluminum Ore Company and were replaced by black workers. The original tension had been due to corruption of high officials within the company but became more pronounced due to racial hatred. Whites began rioting in the black districts of St. Louis which ultimately led to several casualties including 39 blacks, 8 whites and 300 houses burned.[1]
The prohibition of 1919 hit St. Louis hard. Known for its great industry in brewing, many breweries had to let go of many workers. The sale of bootleg alcohol operations bred organize crime most prominently in Old North St. Louis here in 1923, the Egan's Rats made off with over $260,000 in a robbery of an armored truck. St. Louis was determined to bounce back from these troubled years by imposing a new beautiful image. St. Louis Mayor Henry Kiel passed 20 beautification bond proposals totaling $87.4 million. Among the projects were a $12 million waterworks extension, $11 million for the enclosing of River Des Peres underground, $14 million for paving streets, and $8 million for new public parks and playgrounds. It also funded the civil courts building, a war memorial, and the Kiel Opera House.[1]
Albert Bond Lambert, a young entrepreneur who bought the local airport Kinloch Field, helped finance Charles Lindbergh’s competition flight from New York to Paris. Together they helped fund the Spirit of St. Louis, Lindbergh’s plane, which was built in San Diego. Lindbergh flew the plane from San Diego to St. Louis to New York and then all the way to France to a crowd of 100,000 Parisians winning the $25,000 competition. Lambert sold Kinloch Field to St. Louis, and it is now known as Lambert – St. Louis International Airport.[1],[2]
The deadliest race riot occurred in history in 1917 after white workers went on strike from the Aluminum Ore Company and were replaced by black workers. The original tension had been due to corruption of high officials within the company but became more pronounced due to racial hatred. Whites began rioting in the black districts of St. Louis which ultimately led to several casualties including 39 blacks, 8 whites and 300 houses burned.[1]
The prohibition of 1919 hit St. Louis hard. Known for its great industry in brewing, many breweries had to let go of many workers. The sale of bootleg alcohol operations bred organize crime most prominently in Old North St. Louis here in 1923, the Egan's Rats made off with over $260,000 in a robbery of an armored truck. St. Louis was determined to bounce back from these troubled years by imposing a new beautiful image. St. Louis Mayor Henry Kiel passed 20 beautification bond proposals totaling $87.4 million. Among the projects were a $12 million waterworks extension, $11 million for the enclosing of River Des Peres underground, $14 million for paving streets, and $8 million for new public parks and playgrounds. It also funded the civil courts building, a war memorial, and the Kiel Opera House.[1]
Albert Bond Lambert, a young entrepreneur who bought the local airport Kinloch Field, helped finance Charles Lindbergh’s competition flight from New York to Paris. Together they helped fund the Spirit of St. Louis, Lindbergh’s plane, which was built in San Diego. Lindbergh flew the plane from San Diego to St. Louis to New York and then all the way to France to a crowd of 100,000 Parisians winning the $25,000 competition. Lambert sold Kinloch Field to St. Louis, and it is now known as Lambert – St. Louis International Airport.[1],[2]
The Great Depression and World War II, 1930s – 1950s: By 1933, St. Louis had lost half of its manufacturing production output and more than 30% of workers were unemployed due to the Great Depression. The Works Progress Administration helped fund new city modifications like the Jewel Box, a greenhhouse in Forest Park, Homer G. Philips Hospital, the Kingshighway viaduct, and the paving of Lambert Field runways. The Homer G. Philips Hospital was one of the greatest accomplishments for the St. Louis black community. Philips was a civil rights attorney who bargained for a black hospital with the local politicians in exchange for black voter support on new public projects. Unfortunately before the hospital was cleared for construction, he was assassinated while waiting for a taxi. The hospital was ultimately finished and named after him. [1]
During World War II, St. Louis soared as major military production center. Weldon Goodfellow and Bircher produced more than one billion rounds of ammunition each year. In 1940 the government issued a money order of $16 million for Curtis Wright aircraft company and $14 million for the Atlas Powder Company specializing in high explosives. The uranium used in the Manhattan Project was refined by the Mallinckrodt Chemical Company in St. Louis. Chevrolet, based in St. Louis, also made invasion vehicles for the army.[1]
The American Housing Act of 1949 part of President Truman’s Fair Deal called for an expansion of the federal government’s role in the construction of public housing . The legislation provided funds for the clearing of slums, 800,000 new public housing units, and research for new forms of modern housing. Within 5 years, 5 major housing projects were underway in St. Louis including the Plaza Square projects near the Civic Center, Cochran Gardens, Darst- Webbe at Lafayette and tucker, the Vaughn Apartments near Old North St. Louis, and the Pruitt and Igoe Apartments.[1],[2]
During World War II, St. Louis soared as major military production center. Weldon Goodfellow and Bircher produced more than one billion rounds of ammunition each year. In 1940 the government issued a money order of $16 million for Curtis Wright aircraft company and $14 million for the Atlas Powder Company specializing in high explosives. The uranium used in the Manhattan Project was refined by the Mallinckrodt Chemical Company in St. Louis. Chevrolet, based in St. Louis, also made invasion vehicles for the army.[1]
The American Housing Act of 1949 part of President Truman’s Fair Deal called for an expansion of the federal government’s role in the construction of public housing . The legislation provided funds for the clearing of slums, 800,000 new public housing units, and research for new forms of modern housing. Within 5 years, 5 major housing projects were underway in St. Louis including the Plaza Square projects near the Civic Center, Cochran Gardens, Darst- Webbe at Lafayette and tucker, the Vaughn Apartments near Old North St. Louis, and the Pruitt and Igoe Apartments.[1],[2]
Suburban Expansion, 1950s – 1970s: In May 1955, Mayor Joseph Darst passed 23 propositions totaling $110.6 million to build three freeways to alleviate traffic problems. These included the Daniel Boone(U.S. 40), Mark Twain(U.S. 40 and later I-70) and Ozark(U.S. 66 and later I-44).[2]
Besides transportation modifications, a new city project was under way that would brand the city forever. The Gateway Arch was a long and planned out construction project spanned over a period of 40 years. Luther Ely Smith, a lawyer involved in previous city developments, pushed for a river rehabilitation project early in the 1910s. Not until 1933 did Mayor Bernard Dickmann successfully convince Congress to form a commission to plan the project. Luther Ely Smith led the project in 1945 together with Eero Saarinen in a design for a simple, giant, smooth, steel arch. The Arch did not begin construction until 1954 with a $5 million appropriation from Congress. Finished in 1965, it still stands as the tallest memorial in the U.S. at 630 ft. In 1976, the Museum of Westward Expansion was opened underneath the archgrounds, the largest museum in the National Parks system at 42,000 square feet. [5]
Besides transportation modifications, a new city project was under way that would brand the city forever. The Gateway Arch was a long and planned out construction project spanned over a period of 40 years. Luther Ely Smith, a lawyer involved in previous city developments, pushed for a river rehabilitation project early in the 1910s. Not until 1933 did Mayor Bernard Dickmann successfully convince Congress to form a commission to plan the project. Luther Ely Smith led the project in 1945 together with Eero Saarinen in a design for a simple, giant, smooth, steel arch. The Arch did not begin construction until 1954 with a $5 million appropriation from Congress. Finished in 1965, it still stands as the tallest memorial in the U.S. at 630 ft. In 1976, the Museum of Westward Expansion was opened underneath the archgrounds, the largest museum in the National Parks system at 42,000 square feet. [5]
Tough Years, 1970s - Present: In the decade from 1970-1980, St. Louis lost 170,000 residents, nearly 30% of its population . Mayor Vincent Schoemehl responded with Operation Brightside and Operation Safestreet designated for planting trees and providing low cost security measures, respectively. Downtown saw a great growth in construction as well such as One Metropolitan Square, Union Station which reopened in 1985, and the St. Louis Centre Shopping Mall.[2]
In 1993, The Metrolink connecting North Hanley Station to the 5th and Missouri Station in East St. Louis was completed costing over $465 million. The new train module helped connect St. Louis citizens to the growing Downtown business.
Major sports stadiums sprung up in downtown St. Louis now hosting hockey, baseball, and football teams. The St. Louis Blues moved from the Arena at Forest Park to the Kiel Center (now the Scottrade Center) in 1994. In 1995, The Trans World Dome (now Edward Jones Dome) spurred the movement of the Los Angeles Rams to St. Louis.
In 1993, more than 30,000 square miles were covered in water from the Mississippi River when St. Louis was struck by one of the most damaging floods in U.S. history. The flood destroyed about 1,000 homes and cost over $15 billion in damages. Fall and winter rains had allowed the river to expand and by summer the 52-foot high flood wall was breached.
Since 2000- 2010, downtown St. Louis has seen a great number of rehabilitation and construction projects and has more than doubled its population. St. Louis neighborhoods continue to remain strong with committed residents. Towns with past signs of urban decay, like Forest Park Southeast and Old North St. Louis are undergoing beautiful transformations and setting the trend for others to follow. Now after 250 years, St. Louis continues to strive on through the good and bad. Although St. Louis continues to struggle with its identity , it still remains one of the greatest American cities to date.
In 1993, The Metrolink connecting North Hanley Station to the 5th and Missouri Station in East St. Louis was completed costing over $465 million. The new train module helped connect St. Louis citizens to the growing Downtown business.
Major sports stadiums sprung up in downtown St. Louis now hosting hockey, baseball, and football teams. The St. Louis Blues moved from the Arena at Forest Park to the Kiel Center (now the Scottrade Center) in 1994. In 1995, The Trans World Dome (now Edward Jones Dome) spurred the movement of the Los Angeles Rams to St. Louis.
In 1993, more than 30,000 square miles were covered in water from the Mississippi River when St. Louis was struck by one of the most damaging floods in U.S. history. The flood destroyed about 1,000 homes and cost over $15 billion in damages. Fall and winter rains had allowed the river to expand and by summer the 52-foot high flood wall was breached.
Since 2000- 2010, downtown St. Louis has seen a great number of rehabilitation and construction projects and has more than doubled its population. St. Louis neighborhoods continue to remain strong with committed residents. Towns with past signs of urban decay, like Forest Park Southeast and Old North St. Louis are undergoing beautiful transformations and setting the trend for others to follow. Now after 250 years, St. Louis continues to strive on through the good and bad. Although St. Louis continues to struggle with its identity , it still remains one of the greatest American cities to date.
[1] Discover St. Louis History. The Net Impact, 2010. Web. 16 August 2014.
[2] Images of America. Alexander Street Press LCC, 2014. Web. 17 August 2014.
[3] BlackPast.org. Humanities Washington, 2011. Web. 17 August 2014.
[4] Missouri Historical. American Charitable Trust, 2004. Web. 18 August 2014.
[5] National Park Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 2014. Web. 18 August 2014.
[2] Images of America. Alexander Street Press LCC, 2014. Web. 17 August 2014.
[3] BlackPast.org. Humanities Washington, 2011. Web. 17 August 2014.
[4] Missouri Historical. American Charitable Trust, 2004. Web. 18 August 2014.
[5] National Park Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 2014. Web. 18 August 2014.