1764:
St. Louis
founded
1803:
Louisiana Purchase
St. Louis becomes part of the U.S. when the Louisiana Territory is purchased from France for $15 million dollars.
1817: First steamboat
The Zebulon
M. Pike, the first steamboat to make it up the Mississippi,
arrives in St. Louis,
ushering in a new era of trade and travel.
1849:
Great Fire
The Great Fire of 1849 starts on the steamer White Cloud, spreads to 15 city blocks along the riverfront and destroys 23
steamboats.
steamboats.
1850s:
Construction of railroads begins
In 1852, construction begins on the Pacific
Railroad, the first railroad west of the Mississippi.
By 1855, the first train of the Pacific Railroad departs for the West.
Railroad, the first railroad west of the Mississippi.
By 1855, the first train of the Pacific Railroad departs for the West.
1855:
St. Louis
Agricultural & Mechanical Fair
Established in what is now Fairground Park,
what began as a small county fair grew into a large exposition on more than 100
acres.
what began as a small county fair grew into a large exposition on more than 100
acres.
1867:
Eads Bridge
Construction of the first large bridge spanning the Mississippi begins.
Completed in 1874, it makes St. Louis
less dependent on steamboats and ferries to transport manufactured goods.
Completed in 1874, it makes St. Louis
less dependent on steamboats and ferries to transport manufactured goods.
1904:
Lousiana Purchase Exposition
The St.
Louis World’s Fair attracts 20 million visitors who
sample new culinary delights like the ice cream cone, iced tea and cotton
candy.
Louis World’s Fair attracts 20 million visitors who
sample new culinary delights like the ice cream cone, iced tea and cotton
candy.
1963:
Gateway Arch
Standing 630 feet high and spanning 630 feet across
at ground level, the Arch celebrates the Louisiana Purchase and St. Louis’ title as
“Gateway to the West.”
Read more about St. Louis from this issue:
Dazey Butter Churn of St. Louis
The Remarkable St. Louis Wagon Builders
Farm Equipment Manufacturers in St. Louis
Whitman Agricultural Co. at the World’s Fair
