
Where was the first settlement in Missouri?
The first permanent European settlement in Missouri, it was founded by French Canadians possibly as early as 1735 in what was then the Territory of Louisiana. The original settlement, called LeVieux (“the Old”) Village, was located in Le Grand Champ (“Big Field”), but, following a flood in 1785, it was moved to its present site on higher ground.
What happened to the French settlers in Missouri?
During the 1730s and 1740s, French control over Missouri remained weak, and no permanent settlements existed on the western bank of the Mississippi River. French settlers remained on the east bank of the Mississippi at Kaskaskia and Fort de Chartres until 1750, when the new settlement of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri was constructed.
What is Missouri’s oldest town?
The beautiful Ste. Genevieve is Missouri’s oldest town. It was founded by French Canadian colonists and settlers from the east in 1735, and was the first organized European settlement west of the Mississippi River. Located on Second & Merchant Streets in Ste. Geneviève, this Indian Trading Post was built by French Traders in 1784.
Who lived in Missouri before European settlers?
Indigenous peoples inhabited Missouri for thousands of years before European exploration and settlement. Archaeological excavations along the rivers have shown continuous habitation for more than 7,000 years.

What Europeans settled in Missouri in 1700s?
Early Settlers In the early 1700s, French fur traders and missionaries began to move into Missouri. Small missions and settlements were built including Fort Orleans which was built on the banks of the Missouri River in 1724. In 1764, the city of St. Louis was established by French merchant Pierre Laclede.
What European power was the first to settle the region where Missouri is located in now?
New France set up small settlements, and in 1803, Napoleonic France sold the area to the U.S. as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Statehood for Missouri came following the Missouri Compromise in 1820 that allowed slavery....Spanish settlement and government.SettlementFoundingSaint Michel1799, now part of Fredericktown11 more rows
When was Missouri settled?
July 4, 1776Missouri / Date settled
Was Missouri part of Spain?
As part of the Louisiana Purchase territory, Missouri has belonged to three nations: France, Spain and the United States. First claimed for France by LaSalle in 1682, Missouri was ceded to Spain in 1762. Although Spain held the country for 40 years, its influence was slight.
What was St. Louis known for?
St. Louis is a vibrant metropolis in the heartland of the USA, with its fiercely independent frontier-town roots, layered with Midwest modesty. Commonly referred to as the 'Gateway to the West', this eclectic city is famous for its iconic Gateway Arch, fiercely loyal sports fans, and blues music scene.
Where did settlers of Missouri come from?
Following the American purchase of Louisiana in 1803, the frontier of settlement began its movement through, or perhaps around the Ozarks. The settlers coming to Missouri after 1803 were mostly native born Americans.
Who were the first European settlers in Missouri?
Jesuit missionaries established the first European settlement in modern Missouri at the Mission of St. Francis Xavier (near modern Des Peres) in 1700.
Who named Missouri?
Missouri gets its name from a tribe of Sioux Indians of the state called the Missouris.
When did Spain own Missouri?
The British won and France lost all of its holdings. France gave Spain control of Louisiana in November 1762 in the Treaty of Fontainebleau....Spanish period 1762–1803.SettlementFoundingCarondelet1767, St. Louis annex 1870St. Charles1769Mine à Breton1770, 1760-1780New Madrid1783, 17897 more rows
Why is it called Dogtown?
Having no other affordable housing options, the miners built their own dwellings in a less desirable area near the mine and railroad. Areas near railroads were vulnerable to being robbed by transients riding the rails, so watch dogs were popular and plentiful in the area, hence “Dogtown.”
What is the oldest town in Mo?
GenevieveGenevieve is Missouri's oldest town. It was founded by French Canadian colonists and settlers from the east in 1735, and was the first organized European settlement west of the Mississippi River. Located on Second & Merchant Streets in Ste. Geneviève, this Indian Trading Post was built by French Traders in 1784.
What is the oldest place in Missouri?
History. Founded around 1740 by Canadian settlers and migrants from settlements in the Illinois Country just east of the Mississippi River, Ste. Geneviève is the oldest permanent European settlement in Missouri.
Who were the first European settlers in Missouri?
Jesuit missionaries established the first European settlement in modern Missouri at the Mission of St. Francis Xavier (near modern Des Peres) in 1700.
Did French colonize Missouri?
the French worked the area's lead mines and made numerous trips through Missouri in search of furs. Trade down the Mississippi prompted the settlement of Ste. Geneviève about 1735 and the founding of St. Louis in 1764 by Pierre Laclede and René Auguste Chouteau, who were both in the fur-trading business.
Who were the first white settlers and explorers of St. Louis Missouri?
Explorer Louis Joliet and Jesuit priest Jacques Marquette traveled south on the Mississippi River in June 1673, passed the future site of St.
Who owned Missouri territory?
The United States surrendered a significant portion of the Missouri Territory to Spain in exchange for Spanish Florida.
Where did the French settle in Missouri?
French settlers remained on the east bank of the Mississippi at Kaskaskia and Fort de Chartres until 1750, when the new settlement of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri was begun, During its early years, Ste. Genevieve grew slowly due to its location on a muddy, flat, floodplain, and in 1752, the town had only 23 full-time residents. Despite its proximity to lead mines and salt springs, the majority of its population came as farmers during the 1750s and 1760s, and they primarily grew wheat, corn and tobacco.
What is the history of Missouri?
The Colonial history of Missouri covers the French and Spanish exploration and colonization: 1673–1803, and ends with the American takeover through the Louisiana Purchase.
What led French settlers to decamp for Missouri?
Concern about living under British rule led many French settlers to decamp for Missouri, especially with encouragement from Laclede; upon the arrival of the British at Fort de Chartres in October 1765,. St. Ange was the interim commander of the entire upper Louisiana region until 1767. Early settlements in Missouri.
How did the Missourians travel?
Most Missourians traveled longer distances by water, and large cargo was transported by bateaux (shown above). By 1800, the population of Upper Louisiana was primarily concentrated in a few settlements along the Mississippi in present-day Missouri. Travel between towns was by the river.
How did the Spanish influence the Missouri colony?
With little return on their investment of time and money in the colony, the Spanish negotiated the return of Louisiana, including Missouri, to France in 1800, which was codified in the Treaty of San Ildefonso.
Why did Spain decamp from Illinois to Missouri?
To reduce the influence of British traders, Spain renewed efforts to encourage French settlers to decamp from Illinois to Missouri, and in 1778, the Spanish granted land and basic supplies to Catholic immigrants to Missouri; however, few settlers actually took up the offers to move to the region.
Where did the Osage live?
The Osage for their part became a more significant player in the development of Missouri history; they lived along the Osage River in Vernon County, Missouri and near the Missouri village in Saline County . Like the Missouri, the Osage lived in semi-permanent villages, and they also both had acquired horses.
What is the history of Missouri?
The history of Missouri begins with settlement of the region by indigenous people during the Paleo-Indian period beginning in about 12,000 BC. Subsequent periods of native life emerged until the 17th century. New France set up small settlements, and in 1803 Napoleonic France sold the area to the U.S. as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Statehood for Missouri came following a compromise in 1820 that allowed slavery. Settlement was rapid after 1820, aided by a network of rivers navigable by steamboats, centered in the dominant city St. Louis. It attracted European immigrants, especially Germans; the business community had a large Yankee element as well. The Civil War saw numerous small battles and control by the Union. After the war, its economy became more diverse, and railroads, centered in Kansas City, opened up new farmlands in the west. In the early 20th century Progressive reforms sought to modernize state and local government and minimize political corruption. During the 20th century, Missouri's economy diversified further, and it developed a balanced agricultural and economic sector. By the 21st century manufacturing was fading, as service industries grew, especially in medicine, education and tourism. Agriculture remained profitable, as the farms grew larger and fewer people lived on them.
Who was the first American to establish a semi-autonomous colony in Missouri?
As part of this effort, in 1789 Spanish diplomats in Philadelphia encouraged George Morgan, an American military officer, to set up a semi-autonomous colony in southern Missouri across from the mouth of the Ohio River.
How did Missouri's economy change?
The Missouri economy grew steadily from the end of the war to the early 20th century. Railroads replaced the rivers, trains supplanted steamboats. From 817 miles of track in 1860, there were 2000 miles in 1870 and 8000 by 1909. Railroads built new towns as needed to provide repair and service facilities; the old river towns decline. Kansas City lacking a navigable river, became the rail center of the West, exploding from 4400 population 1860 to 133,000 by 1890. Cities of all sizes grew, as the proportion of Missourians living in communities over 2000 population jumped from 17 percent in 1860, to 38 percent in 1900. Coal mining providing the locomotives, factories, Stores and homes with fuel, grew rapidly, as did the lumbering industry in the Ozarks which provided the timber for cross ties and smaller bridges. St. Louis remained the number one railroad center, unloading 21,000 carloads of merchandise in 1870, 324,000 in 1890, and 710,000 in 1910. The total tonnage of freight carried on all Missouri railroads doubled and redoubled again from 20 million tons in 1881 to 130 million in 1904.
How did the Great Depression affect Missouri?
The Great Depression affected nearly every aspect of Missouri's economy, particularly mining, railroading, and retailing. In 1933, the Missouri Pacific railroad declared bankruptcy; retail sales declined statewide by 50 percent, and more than 300 Missouri banks failed in the early 1930s. St. Louis manufacturing declined in value from more than $600 million in 1929 to $339 million in 1935; despite industrial diversification in the city, output fell more and unemployment was greater than the rest of country by the mid-1930s. The brick and tile industry of St. Louis virtually collapsed, dramatically altering the economic conditions of neighborhoods such as The Hill. In response to rising discontent with the economy, the St. Louis police surveilled and harassed unemployed leftist workers, and in July 1932, a protest by the unemployed was violently broken up by police. The Depression also threatened Missouri cultural institutions such as the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, which nearly folded in 1933. Kansas City suffered from the Depression as well, although not as severely as St. Louis. Manufacturing fell in value from $220 million in 1929 to $122 million in 1935; charities were feeding 10 percent of the population by late 1932. Unlike St. Louis, Kansas City was able to supply work to many of its unemployed citizens via a $50 million bond issue that allowed for several large public works projects.
What was Louisiana's territory called?
The land south of the thirty-third parallel, then-known as the Territory of Orleans, became the state of Louisiana in 1812, and the Louisiana Territory was renamed the Missouri Territory.
How many troops did Missouri have in the Civil War?
By the end of the war, Missouri had supplied 110,000 troops for the Union Army and 40,000 troops for the Confederate Army. During the Civil War, Charles D. Drake a former Democrat, became a fierce opponent of slavery, and a leader of the Radical Republicans.
How many people lived in St Louis in 1860?
The population of the Mississippi River region served by St Louis increased rapidly to about 4 million people in 1860. With railroads just beginning to be important in the late 1850s, the riverboat traffic dominated the transportation and trade worlds, and St. Louis flourished at the center, with connections east along the Ohio, Illinois, Cumberland and Tennessee rivers, west along the Missouri River, and north and south along the Mississippi.
What was the first capital of Missouri?
St. Charles served as the first Missouri capital from 1821 to 1826, while the new city and capital (Jefferson City) was being built. It received the honor by beating out eight other cities. The first capitol building is located about a block from the Missouri River on Main Street.
What is the oldest town in Missouri?
The beautiful Ste. Genevieve is Missouri’s oldest town. It was founded by French Canadian colonists and settlers from the east in 1735, and was the first organized European settlement west of the Mississippi River.
What was the first non-European city to host the Olympics?
Two of the biggest events St. Louis history both happened in 1904. The city concurrently hosted the World's Fair and the Summer Olympics, and became the first non-European city to host the Olympics. Several permanent facilities and structures still remain in Forest Park, where the fair took place, such as the St. Louis Art Museum, the St. Louis Zoo and the Missouri History Museum.
What river was Missouri on?
The city was developed along the western bank of the Mississippi River and claimed first by the French but later lost to Spain. Missouri was part of Spanish Louisiana from 1762 until 1803, and acquired by the United States in the Louisiana Purchase.
What is the oldest Catholic church in Louisiana?
The Old St. Ferdinand Shrine is the oldest Catholic Church building in the Louisiana Purchase Territory. The convent wing was built in 1819, and the corner stone of the current church was laid in 1821, by Mother Duchesne and the Sacred Heart Nuns.
When was the first cemetery in Missouri opened?
Established in 1787, the Memorial Cemetery in Ste. Genevieve is Missouri’s oldest cemetery. Over 3,500 people were buried here before it was closed in 1880, including the tombs and grave markers of the area’s earliest French pioneers.
When did France sell Louisiana?
After being traded to France in 1800, France promptly sold it to the United States in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Wikimedia/ By Mariano Salvador Maella - http://www.bernardodegalvez.eu/retrato-de-bernardo-de-galvez/, Public Domain. Governor Bernardo de Gálvez.
