Explore the history and resilience of downtown St. Louis, challenging negative perceptions and celebrating the city’s rich heritage and vibrant communities.
Based on historical records, just before the spectacular 1904 World’s Fair at Forest Park, St. Louis was a burgeoning city with a thriving riverfront trade and a growing population. At that time, the city’s residents of the past often viewed the rural areas of St. Louis County with disdain, preferring to distance themselves from the countryside. This attitude culminated in the separation known as the Great Divorce, which occurred in 1876, when the city of St. Louis officially broke away from the surrounding county.
History:
The City of St. Louis officially separated from St. Louis County in 1876 (becoming fully finalized in early 1877) after a contentious vote and recount. Known locally as the “Great Divorce,” this split made St. Louis an independent city entirely separate from any county jurisdiction.
Metropolitan St. Louis:
St. Louis, Missouri, is a city with a remarkable history and a personality all its own. Founded in 1764 by French fur traders Pierre Laclède and Auguste Chouteau, St. Louis grew from a small settlement along the Mississippi River into a major center of transportation, commerce, manufacturing and culture.
Known as the “Gateway to the West,” St. Louis played an important role in the westward expansion of the United States. Today, that legacy is symbolized by the world-famous Gateway Arch, which rises 630 feet above the Mississippi River and welcomes visitors from around the world…