Histories
This area was home to the Mississippian culture. The area was visited by French explorers during the 1673 exploration of Mississippi. Pierre Laclede Liguest, a New Orleans fur-trader, established a post at the spot in 1764. At the time, it was Spanish territory. Auguste Chouteau laid its foundation and named it Louis IX (the French canonized King). St. Louis (1800) was later retroceded to France and became an American territory following the Louisiana Purchase (1803). The Lewis and Clark Expedition set out on an epic exploration trip in 1804, to discover the Pacific Northwest. It was also the capital of Missouri (1812), and Louisiana (1805).
After the arrival steamboats in 1817, St. Louis became a major river port. Many immigrants arrived from Germany and Ireland during the 19th century. Here was the Missouri Constitution Convention (1820). The capital was moved to Kansas after it became a state (1821). It was America's center for westward expansion. It was used to outfit exploration groups, fur-trading expeditions and pioneers who traveled across the state starting in Independence. A steamboat that had been carrying cholera was set on fire at the riverfront, killing many. In 1850s, railroads were constructed. They were replacing steamboats by the 1870s. St. Louis was once an Union base, but it was taken under martial law during the American Civil War.
The fur trade was still important up to the mid-1800s. However, St. Louis became an industrial hub for brewing (including shoe manufacturing) during the second half of the 19th century. The bridge connecting the Mississippi railroads was known as the Eads Bridge (1874), which is now a National Historic Landmark. This made St. Louis a major transportation hub. The 100th anniversary celebration of the Louisiana Purchase was marked by the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, also known as the St. Louis World's Fair. It was held in Forest Park, west of St. Louis. It was held in conjunction with the 1904 Olympic Games. It attracted international attention. Charles A. Lindbergh flew solo across the Atlantic Ocean, with financial support from St. Louis businessmen.
St. Louis' population increased steadily in the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century. Despite slow growth in the Great Depression of 1930s it recovered during World War II to reach an all-time high of 850,000 in 1950. This was a time when there were more African Americans among the newcomers. Over the next few years, the city's population declined rapidly. It was roughly equivalent to 1880 in 2000, which is approximately two-fifths its 1950 level. Most of the people who moved from the city were European-born. They moved to the suburbs, which experienced rapid growth. However, St. Louis's African Americans population declined slower and, by 2000, more that half of its residents were black.
Modern city
St. Louis is still a major distribution and transportation hub. It is the country’s second-largest inland port and an important component of the Inland Waterway Systems. It is Mississippi's northernmost point and remains ice-free throughout the year. It is home to a variety of cargoes, including grains, petroleum products and chemicals. St. Louis has an international airport as well as a network of interstate highways. It is the largest national rail hub. Many large corporations call the city home. The economy is dominated by services. These services include financial and banking, health care and telecommunications as well as airline operations and flight operations. Education is another important contributor. The economy's mainstay is still manufacturing. The economy is made up of many products, including beer, chemicals, metal products, and missiles. The Illinois Air Force Base is another important source for high-tech industries.
Many higher education institutions are located in the metro area. The Pius XII Memorial Library (1818) at St. Louis University contains microfilms of Vatican Library treasures. William Greenleaf Eliot (1853), greatgrandfather of T.S. Eliot founded Washington University. Eliot and St. Louis College of Pharmacy date back to 1864. University of Missouri - St. Just northwest of the University of Missouri - St. Louis (1963). Other schools include Lindenwood University of St. Charles (1860), Harris-Stowe State College, 1860, Maryville University of St. Louis (2722) and Webster University of St. Louis (215). Fontbonne University1923 is another option. St. Louis Community College (62).
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