St. Louis

St. Louis, Missouri

History of St. Louis, Missouri – The Most Comprehensive Historical Timeline

St. Louis, Missouri (STL) – one of America’s most cherished cities situated along the Mississippi River, St. Louis’ history extends back to its founding in 1764.  Incorporated in 1822, STL is an independent city and a major port built into a strategic location along the western bank of the Mississippi River.  Founded by French fur traders Pierre Laclede and Auguste Chouteau, the city was named after Louis IX of France.

STL shares a border with Illinois today.  As of 2016, it was estimated that the city has a population of 311,404.  The greater St. Louis region is home to 3 million people and relies on the city as its cultural and economic epicenter.  According to population statistics, St. Louis is the largest metropolitan area in Missouri, and as of 2016, the 19th largest in the United States.

Nicknames given to St. Louis include Gateway to the West, the Gateway City, The Lou, Rome of the West, and River City.

In total, STL covers 66-square-miles, with 61.9-square miles of land, 4.1-square miles of water, and an elevation of 466 feet.  It resides within the Central Standard Time Zone.

St. Louis Mayor: Tishaura Jones was elected on November 4, 2020, preceding Lyda Krewson.

Background

Before the French settling of the city, STL was part of a major regional center of Native American Mississippian culture.  Crops like corn, squash, fish, and beans were traded among local tribes for furs, games, and other items scavenged in local environments.

However, all of that came to an end in 1764, following France’s defeat in the Seven Years’ War.  The area was given to Spain, but amazingly, given back to France in 1800. Then, in 1803, following the formation of the United States, the nation acquired the territory in part of the infamous Louisiana Purchase, which Thomas Jefferson oversaw.  After being acquired by the United States, STL developed as a major port on the Mississippi River, helping merchants ship products between the northern and southern portions of the newly acquired nation.

By 1870, St. Louis was ranked as the 4th largest city in the United States.  It elected to separate from St. Louis County in 1877 and became its own independent city with its own political boundaries.  In 1904, the city played host to the Summer Olympics and was the site of the Louisiana Exposition.

Comprehensive Historical Timeline of St. Louis, Missouri

  • 1673 – European explorers, Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette traveled through the Mississippi Valley according to Wikipedia
  • 1763 – (fall) Trading business between Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent and Pierre Laclede
  • 1764 – St. Louis was founded as a fur trading post
  • 1770 – St. Louis was transferred from France to Spain
  • 1772 – Population estimated at approximately 600
  • 1779 – open-air market began
  • 1780 – Indian attack
  • 1780 – Laclede’s Landing was built
  • 1800 – Transferred to the French First Republic
  • 1803 – St. Louis was sold to the US by the French as part of the Louisiana Purchase
  • 1804 – President Thomas Jefferson commissioned Lewis and Clark Expedition
  • 1805 – St Louis becomes the capital of the US Louisiana Territory
  • 1806 – Lewis and Clark returned to St. Louis on September 23, 1806
  • 1807 – Jewish immigrants date back to at least this date
  • 1808 – City elected its first municipal legislators (trustees)
  • 1808 – St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department was created on August 7th
  • 1809 – Missouri Fur Company was founded on February 24th
  • 1811 – New Madrid earthquake on December 16th
  • 1816 – Judge Baptiste Charles Lucas and Auguste Chousteau donated land for the Old Courthouse
  • 1817 – First steamboats arrived in St. Louis – Zebulon M. Pike
  • 1818 – St. Louis University was founded on November 16th
  • 1821 – Missouri admitted as a state
  • 1821 – St. Louis becomes part of the news US state of Missouri
  • 1821 – First Missouri State Capital State Historic Site located in St Charles until 1826
  • 1822 – St Louis City was incorporated
  • 1823 – William Carr Lane, an independent candidate, took office as St. Louis Mayor on April 14, 1823, for 6 terms
  • 1828 – Old Courthouse opened
  • 1829 – Daniel Page, an independent candidate, took office as St. Louis Mayor on April 14, 1829, for 4.5 terms
  • 1830 – Missouri Fur Company closed on June 1st
  • 1831 – Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, construction began
  • 1833 – John W. Johnson, Whig Party, took office as St. Louis Mayor on November 11, 1833, for 1.5 terms
  • 1834 – Completed construction of Basilica of St. Louis
  • 1835 – John Fletcher Darby, Whig Party, took office as St. Louis Mayor on April 14, 1835, for 2.5 terms
  • 1836 – St. Louis Chamber of Commerce was established
  • 1836 – St. Francis Xavier College Church was established
  • 1836 – First Jewish religious services were held
  • 1837 – Wilson Primm, Whig Party, took office as St. Louis Mayor on October 31, 1837, but the term ended on November 15, 1837 (citations needed)
  • 1837 – William Carr Lane, Whig Party, was re-elected on November 15, 1837, as St. Louis Mayor for 2.5 terms
  • 1837 – First Jewish Congregation was organized; United Hebrew Congregation (still exists)
  • 1838 – Soulard Market was founded at its current location
  • 1840 – John Fletcher Darby, Whig Party, was elected on April 14, 1840, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1841 – John D. Daggett, Whig Party, was elected on April 13, 1841, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1842 – George Maguire, a democrat, was elected on April 12, 1842, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1843 – John Wimer, democratic/Workingmen’s Party, was elected on April 11, 1843, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1844 – Bernard Pratte, Whig Party, was elected on April 9, 1844, as St. Louis Mayor for 2 terms
  • 1846 – Scott v. Sandford case tried at the courthouse
  • 1846 – Dred Scott visited St. Louis – known for a lawsuit for freedom from slavery
  • 1846 – Peter G. Camden was elected on April 14, 1846, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1847 – Bryan Mullanphy, a democratic candidate, was elected on April 13, 1847, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1849 – St Louis Fire of 1849 devastated the community on May 17th – killing the first firefighter in the line of duty in the US
  • 1849 – Bellefontaine Cemetery was established, covering 314 acres
  • 1849 – John Krum, Democratic Party, was elected on April 10, 1849, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term – questionable data (citations needed)
  • 1849 – James G. Barry, Democratic Party, was elected on April 10, 1849, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term – questionable data (citations needed)
  • 1850 – Luther Martin Kennett, Whig Party, was elected on April 9, 1850, as St. Louis Mayor for 3 terms
  • 1852 – Anheuser-Busch was founded named Bavarian Brewery – named changed to E. Anheuser & Co. in 1860, E. Anheuser Company’s Brewing Association in 1875
  • 1853 – Washington University was founded on February 22nd – opened for classes as Eliot Seminary
  • 1853 – John How democratic part was elected on April 12, 1853, as St. Louis Mayor for 2 terms
  • 1854 – Hyde Park was created
  • 1855 – Washington King was elected on April 10, 1855, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1856 – John How democratic party was elected on April 15, 1856, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1857 – Merchants Exchange Building opened the first location, opening the second location in 1875
  • 1857 – St Louis Fire Department was created on September 14th – 2nd oldest fire department in the US
  • 1857 – John Wimer was elected on April 14, 1857, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1858 – Oliver Filley, Republican Party, was elected on April 13, 1858, as St. Louis Mayor for 2 terms
  • 1859 – Streetcars began operating in St. Louis
  • 1859 – Missouri Botanical Garden was founded
  • 1859 – Christ Church Cathedral was built
  • 1861 – 28 civilians were killed in a clash with Union troops
  • 1861 – Daniel G. Taylor, Republican Party, was elected on April 9, 1861, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1863 – Chauncey Filley, Republican Party, was elected on April 14, 1863, as St. Louis Mayor for 1/2 term
  • 1864 – James Thomas, Republican Party, was elected on April 11, 1864, as St. Louis Mayor for 2.5 terms
  • 1866 – Missouri History Museum was founded
  • 1866 – St. Louis was recognized as the fourth largest city in the nation, with New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago taking first thru third.  This lasted until 1904, and due to lack of leadership, the city has declined in population with an increased crime over recent years.
  • 1867 – St. Louis County was given the power to assess and collect property tax from St. Louis city property, accelerating the county government while depriving the city government of revenues
  • 1868 – Henry Shaw donated land to the city to build Tower Grove Park
  • 1869 – Nathan Cole, Republican Party, was elected on April 13, 1869, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1870 – Became a major port on the Mississippi
  • 1871 – Joseph Brown was elected on April 11, 1871, as St. Louis Mayor for 2 terms
  • 1871 – March 8th tornado – F3 – 9 fatalities, 60 injured
  • 1872 – March 29th tornado – F1 – 2 fatalities (possibly), 8 injuries
  • 1873 – US Customshouse and Post Office began construction, completed in 1884
  • 1874 – Completion of the Eads Bridge
  • 1875 – Arthur Barret, Democratic Party, was elected on April 13, 1875, as St. Louis Mayor for 1/3 term (citations needed)
  • 1875 – James H. Britton, Democratic Party, was elected on May 29, 1875, as St. Louis Mayor for 1/3 term (citations needed)
  • 1875 – Merchants Exchange Building opened as the second facility, operating until 1958
  • 1875 – Carondelet Park was established containing 180 acres, making it the third-largest park in St Louis
  • 1875 – Anheuser-Busch built a brewery facility
  • 1876 – Henry Overstolz, Independent Party, was elected on February 9, 1876, as St. Louis Mayor for a 1.33 term
  • 1876 – St. Louis’ current boundaries were established
  • 1876 – St. Louis was notified that it was selected for the Democratic National Convention in February
  • 1876 – On August 22nd, the city voted to secede from St. Louis County
  • 1876 – Forest Park opened
  • 1876 – Democratic National Convention hosted at the St. Louis Merchants Exchange building
  • 1877 – St. Louis Real Estate Exchange was founded, now referred to as St. Louis REALTORS®
  • 1877 – City separated from County
  • 1877 – Clayton was organized, named after Ralph Clayton, who donated the land
  • 1878 – St Louis Post Dispatch publication was created
  • 1879 – St. Louis Art Museum was founded
  • 1879 – St. Louis Children’s Hospital admitted its first two patients
  • 1880 – St Louis Symphony Orchestra was founded and is the second oldest symphony in the US
  • 1881 – William L. Ewing, Republican Party, was elected on April 12, 1881, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1882 – St Louis Cardinals was founded
  • 1884 – Completed construction of the US Customshouse and Post Office
  • 1885 – David R. Francis, Democratic Party, was elected on April 14, 1885, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1887 – St. Louis Car Company was formed in April 1887 to manufacture and sell streetcars and other kinds of rolling stock of street and steam railways supporting the traction industry
  • 1888 – Union Station built
  • 1889 – Edward A. Noonan, Democratic Party, was elected on April 6, 1889, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1889 – Tower Grove Park built
  • 1890 – January 12th tornado – F2 – 4 fatalities, 15 injuries
  • 1890 – Altheimer and Rawlings Investment Company was created, changing its name in July 1983, listing its stock on NYSE on November 24, 1986
  • 1890 – Lemp Mansion completed construction
  • 1890 – The US Census declared that the frontier had closed and America held no unexplored or undiscovered lands
  • 1890 – Benjamin Altheimer and Edward Rawlings formed the Altheimer & Rawlings Investment Co., now known as Stifel
  • 1892 – City Hall designed by Harvey Ellis
  • 1892 – Wainwright Building was designed
  • 1893 – Cyrus Walbridge, Republican Party, was elected on April 8, 1893, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1894 – Union Station opened
  • 1896 – May 27th tornado – F4 – 255 fatalities, 1000 injuries
  • 1897 – Henry Ziegenhein, Republican Party, was elected on April 10, 1897, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1899 – St. Louis Stock Exchange opened
  • 1901 – Rolla Wells, Democratic Party, was elected on April 9, 1901, as St. Louis Mayor for 2 terms
  • 1903 – a district known as “The Hill” was founded
  • 1903 – Women’s Magazine Building was built, now University City, City Hall
  • 1904 – August 19th tornado – F2 – 3 fatalities, 10 injuries
  • 1904 – St. Louis Art Museum was built
  • 1904 – Hosted Louisiana Purchase Expedition, World’s Fair, and Summer Olympics
  • 1906 – Erected the Apotheosis of St. Louis, making it the principal symbol of the city – located at St. Louis Art Museum in Forest Park
  • 1907 – Cathedral Basilica began cleaning ground on May 1st
  • 1908 – The first International Balloon Race was held in St. Louis
  • 1908 – created Fairground Park (functioned as fairgrounds in 1856)
  • 1909 – Frederick Kreismann, Republican Party, was elected on April 13, 1909, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1910 – Saint Louis Zoo opened
  • 1912 – Barnes Hospital, now Barnes-Jewish Hospital, opened
  • 1912 – The Sheldon was built as the home of the Ethical Society of St. Louis
  • 1913 – Clayton was incorporated
  • 1913 – Henry Kiel, Republican Party, was elected on April 12, 1913, as St. Louis Mayor for 3 terms
  • 1914 – Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis was founded (on May 18th)
  • 1914 – Railway Exchange Building opened, which was the city’s tallest building at the time
  • 1914 – Dedication of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
  • 1914 – Cathedral Basilica held its first mass on October 18th
  • 1916 – Residential segregation ordinance was passed (Jim Crow Era)
  • 1917 – Orpheum Theater was built, opening on Labor Day
  • 1917 – East St. Louis Riot
  • 1918 – Influenza Pandemic: Health Commissioner Dr. Max C. Starkloff closed all public venues and prohibited public gatherings of more than 20 people.  These actions are credited as an early instance of modern medicine of social distancing, resulting in St. Louis having half the per capita death rate compared to cities that took no measure.  Sound familiar?
  • 1919 – The St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre, named The Muny with the first show “Robin Hood” on June 16th
  • 1919 – Prohibition of alcohol brought heavy losses to the St. Louis brewing industry
  • 1920 – In June, the Aero Club of St. Louis leased 170 acres of cornfield, now home to Lambert Airport
  • 1922 – Edward D. Jones founded Edward Jones
  • 1923 – Fontbonne University was organized with more than 3,000 students today
  • 1923 – The field was officially dedicated as Lambert-st. Louis Flying field
  • 1923 – $87 million voter ratified bond issue to build the Civil Courts Building
  • 1924 – Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis building on Locust Street was designed by Russell & Crowell
  • 1925 – Victor J. Miller, Republican Party, was elected on April 21, 1925, as St. Louis Mayor for 2 terms
  • 1925 – Powell Hall, formerly known as St. Louis Threatre and Powell Symphony Hall opened, renovated in 1968
  • 1927 – September 29th tornado – F3 – approximately 79 fatalities, 550+ injuries
  • 1927 – A group of St. Louis businessmen sponsored Charles A. Lindbergh’s solo transatlantic flight
  • 1927 – St. Louis County Hospital was funded by a $1 million bond issued – 200-bed began in Clayton opening July 1931 operating until June 1986
  • 1928 – the City of St. Louis leased the airport for $1
  • 1929 – Founding of Ted Drewes (frozen custard)
  • 1929 – Fox Theatre Opened
  • 1929 – Soulard Market, Grand Hall building was built
  • 1930 – The city abandoned the Old Courthouse after completing the Civil Courts Building
  • 1930 – University City Hall opens in the Woman’s Magazine Building, built in 1903
  • 1933 – Bernard F. Dickman, Democratic Party, was elected on April 18, 1933, as St. Louis Mayor for 2 terms
  • 1932 – created the Memorial Plaza
  • 1932 – created Tilles Park
  • 1933 – Luther Ely Smith pitched the idea of a memorial to Mayor Bernard Dickmann in a meeting on December 15th
  • 1934 – Lombardo family restaurants opened for business and are still in business today.
  • 1935 – St Louis voted on a bond issue to raze nearly 40 blocks around the courthouse, creating the Gateway Arch National Park with President Roosevelt issuing Executive Order declaring the area as a national monument
  • 1935 – Shaw Park was founded by Mayor Charles A. Shaw – dedicated in 1937 at the cost of $280,000
  • 1939 – Tina Turner, whose real name is Anna Mae Bullock, was born.  She is an award-winning singer, actress, and pop-culture icon
  • 1939 – Oldani’s restaurant opened
  • 1941 – William D. Becker, Republican Party, was elected on April 15, 1941, as St. Louis Mayor for 1/2 term (died in office)
  • 1942 – Voters passed a $4.5 million bond issue to expand the airport by 867 acres and add a new terminal
  • 1943 – Aloys P. Kaufmann, Republican Party, was elected on August 1, 1943, as St. Louis Mayor for 1.5 term
  • 1944 – National Museum of Transportation opened as a privately owned 42-acre museum
  • 1947 – Fitz’s first production of root beer in Richmond Heights, MO
  • 1949 – St. Louis Stock Exchange closed after being purchased by the Chicago Stock Exchange
  • 1949 – Joseph Darst, Democratic Party, was elected on April 19, 1949, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1952 – Kraus House construction began lasting until completion in 1960, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright – 1997 listed on the National Register of Historic Places
  • 1953 – Raymond Tucker, Democratic Party, was elected on April 21, 1953, as St. Louis Mayor for 3 terms
  • 1953 – Anheuser-Busch purchased the St. Louis Cardinals on February 20th
  • 1953 – bonds were issued by St Louis to finance the completion of the St. Louis Gateway Mall project and several high-rising housing projects
  • 1954 – Metropolitan Sewer District was created
  • 1955 – The housing projects and urban renewal bond issue totaled approximately $110 million to build expressways, now Interstate 64, 70 and 44
  • 1955 – St Louis County Police was created on July 1st
  • 1957 – Executive Leasing Company, now named Enterprise Rent-A-Car, was established
  • 1957 – Anheuser-Busch was recognized as the largest brewer in the US
  • 1958 – September 16th tornado – F1 – 0 fatalities, and no reported injuries
  • 1958 – Merchants Exchange Building was torn down to build the Adam’s Mark Hotel
  • 1959 – February 10th tornado – F4 – 21 fatalities, 345 injuries
  • 1960 – General Steel Industries acquired St. Louis Car Company
  • 1960 – Missouri State purchased First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site in St Charles; it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969
  • 1962 – St. Louis Community College was established
  • 1963 – Gateway Arch construction began on February 12th, completed on October 28, 1965, at the cost of $13 million
  • 1963 – founded the Saint Louis Science Center, founded as a planetarium
  • 1963 – MetroBus begins operation
  • 1964 – Civil rights activists protested at the construction of the Gateway Arch
  • 1964 – US Department of Justice filed the first suit against the unions under the Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • 1964 – Cahokia Mounds were designed on July 19th as US National Historic Landmark
  • 1964 – Lone Elk County Park
  • 1965 – Alfonso J. Cervantes, Democratic Party, was elected on April 20, 1965, as St. Louis Mayor for 2 terms
  • 1965 – Gateway Arch construction was completed on October 28th
  • 1966 – Anheuser-Busch Brewery designated as a US Historic Landmark
  • 1967 – St. Louis Blues was founded
  • 1967 – St. Louis hosted the World Series and won
  • 1967 – Popular Street Bridge completed
  • 1968 – St. Louis hosted the World Series
  • 1968 – Powell Hall renovated
  • 1972 – Blueberry Hill (restaurant) opened on September 8th featuring Check Berry regularly
  • 1973 – John Poelker, Democratic Party, was elected on April 17, 1973, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1973 – 42-acre Westport Plaza opened
  • 1973 – First Great Forest Park Balloon Race between Nikki Caplan and John O’Toole
  • 1973 – Nikki Caplan granted FAA exception to fly a hot air balloon between the arch legs during Forest Park Balloon Race – balloon plummeted 70 feet before recovering
  • 1974 – St. Louis Port Authority was created
  • 1974 – Castlewood State Park was established
  • 1974 – created Queeny Park
  • 1975 – University City Hall building was admitted to the National Register of Historic Places on March 7th
  • 1975 – Laumeier Sculpture Park was created
  • 1977 – James F. Conway, Democratic Party, was elected on April 19, 1977, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1978 – The last train left Union Station
  • 1979 – The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum
  • 1980 – Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis was established, commonly referred to as CAM
  • 1980 – Kenneth Swyers parachuted onto the top of the arch on November 22nd, sliding down the side of the arch resulting in the death
  • 1980 – North Riverfront Park
  • 1981 – Vincent C. Schoemehl, Democratic Party, was elected on April 21, 1981, as St. Louis Mayor for 3 terms
  • 1982 – St. Louis hosted the World Series and won
  • 1982 – Fox Theatre restored
  • 1983 – March 31 tornado – F2 – 3 injuries
  • 1983 – Settlement for a lawsuit filed in 1970 challenging segregation in which St. Louis County school districts agreed to accept black students from the city voluntarily
  • 1985 – Union Station was renovated
  • 1985 – St. Louis hosted the World Series
  • 1986 – St. Louis Centre renovated
  • 1986 – St. Louis County Hospital closed after being founded in 1927 with a $1 million bond issue
  • 1987 – Ken and Linda Rosenthal founded the St. Louis Bread Company in Kirkwood, MO – now a subsidiary of JAB Holding Company
  • 1987 – St. Louis hosted the World Series
  • 1987 – Washington Avenue Historic District added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 27th
  • 1991 – Hindu Temple of St. Louis (Ballwin) completed construction
  • 1992 – Broke ground for “The Dome at America’s Center,” which opened November 12, 1995
  • 1992 – John C. Vincent climbed the Gateway Arch on September 14th using suction cups and parachuted off the top of the Arch and was charged with two misdemeanors
  • 1993 – Freeman Bosley Jr., Democratic Party, was elected on April 20, 1993, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1993 – Great Flood of 1993 devastated all communities along the Mississippi – $15 billion in damages
  • 1995 – Los Angeles Rams moved to St. Louis, making them the St. Louis Rams
  • 1995 – “The Dome at America’s Center” opened – construction began with groundbreaking in 1992
  • 1996 – Anheuser-Busch sold the St. Louis Cardinals to a private investor group
  • 1996 – Turtle Park was built
  • 1997 – Clarence Harmon, Democratic Party, was elected on April 15, 1997, as St. Louis Mayor for 1 term
  • 1997 – City Museum opened on October 25th, attracting more than 700,000 visitors in 2010
  • 1997 – St. Louis Missouri Temple – dedicated on June 1st – 50th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • 1998 – Renovation of the Old Post Office, ended in 2006
  • 1999 – St. Louis Rams win Super Bowl XXXIV
  • 1999 – St. Louis is recognized as having the second-largest Bosnian immigration community in the US
  • 2000 – Completed construction of the largest single courthouse in the US, the Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse, completed at an estimated cost of $186 million
  • 2000 – The Pageant Opened on October 19th
  • 2001 – Francis Slay, Democratic Party, was elected on April 17, 2001, as St. Louis Mayor for 4 terms
  • 2001 – TWA closes St. Louis hub
  • 2001 – Pulitzer Arts Foundation established
  • 2004 – St. Louis hosted the World Series
  • 2005 – Memorial Stadium was torn down after serving St. Louis Cardinals for 40 seasons
  • 2006 – The new stadium for St. Louis Cardinals, known as Busch Memorial Stadium, opened
  • 2006 – St Louis won the World Leadership Award
  • 2006 – Renovation of the Old Post Office completed
  • 2007 – March 31st tornado – EF0 – 5 injuries
  • 2007 – American Planning Association named Delmar Loop “One of the 10 Great Streets in America.”
  • 2007 – Lumiere Place (casino) opened on December 19th
  • 2008 – Anheuser-Busch became a division of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV on November 18th
  • 2009 – August 3rd Enterprise Holdings was founded, which owns Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental Alamo Rent a Car, and several other transportation services
  • 2009 – built Citygarden, which is operated by Gateway Foundation
  • 2010 – December 31st tornado – EF1 – 0 fatalities
  • 2011 – World Chess Hall of Famed moved to St. Louis
  • 2011 – St. Louis was named by US News and World Report as the most dangerous city in the US using Uniform Crime Reports data published by the US Dept of Justice
  • 2011 – April 22nd tornado – EF4 – 0 fatalities, a few injuries
  • 2013 – St. Louis hosted the Sinquefield Cup Tournament
  • 2013 – February 8th was the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Ballpark Village, estimated to cost $320 Million
  • 2013 – April 10th tornado – EF0 – 0 fatalities, 0 injuries
  • 2013 May 31st tornado – EF3 – 2 injuries
  • 2014 – Musial Bridge opened – inaugurated February 8th and opened on February 9th at the cost of $695 million
  • 2014 – Ballpark Village had its grand opening on March 27th
  • 2014 – August 9th – Michael Brown, Jr., an 18-year old black man, was fatally shot by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson sparking riots
  • 2014 – fiscal year budget passed $1 Billion for the first time
  • 2014 – Saint Louis FC Soccer was founded
  • 2015 – Saint Louis Zoo agreed to purchase Grant’s Farm for an estimated $30 million but later withdrew the offer due to disputes
  • 2015 – St. Louis Rams return to Los Angeles
  • 2016 – February 29th STL.News domain name was registered
  • 2017 – Mayor Lyda Krewson, Democratic Party, was elected April 18, 2017, as the first St. Louis female mayor
  • 2017 – the City of St. Louis had the highest murder rate, per capita, in the US
  • 2017 – Hudson Holdings purchased the Railway Exchange Building for $20 million
  • 2018 – St. Louis BattleHawks was founded
  • 2019 – April 2019 St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger resigned after being indicted by the US Department of Justice for honest services bribery and mail fraud
  • 2019 – The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency host groundbreaking on November 26th
  • 2019 – St. Louis MLS team was founded
  • 2019 – St. Louis Blues wins the Stanley Cup
  • 2020 – February 2020 began the groundbreaking St. Louis City Stadium with an estimated cost of $457.8 million owned by St. Louis City SC with games beginning 2023
  • 2020 – June 13th Black Lives Matter protest overtook the Hill due to racism and bigotry against African Americans
  • 2020 – In August, St. Louis BattleHawks, a bankrupt league, sold to new owners, which announced plans to resume playing the 2022 season.
  • 2021 – April 20th, Tishaura Jones (DOB March 10, 1972) was sworn in as the first African-American female mayor and the second woman to serve as mayor, following Lyda Krewson
  • 2021 – June 8th – Steve Stenger was released from prison to home confinement – Stenger resigned April 2019 (listed above)
  • 2022 – May 2nd – St. Louis was voted as the Next Big Food City by Food & Wine announced by St. Louis Restaurant Review

The Gateway Arch

STL is most recognized for its 630-foot tall arch: the Gateway Arch.  Situated downtown, overlooking the Mississippi River, the Gateway Arch is made from stainless steel.  Impressively, it is the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere and is the state’s tallest accessible building.  It was conceptualized and created as an adage to the United States’ westward expansion, a key concept that underpins the St. Louis spirit.  It serves as the centerpiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.

St. Louis Regions

Within STL, there are vibrant communities that work together to make up the quintessential American spirit.  The two most notable regions, Soulard and the Central West End offer city residents and tourists the best.

The Central West End, known as the city’s commercial epicenter, is where people get their shopping and commercial investments.  Home to sidewalk cades, smart Italian and Asian establishments, and chic boutiques and antique stores, the region borders the city’s lovely Forest Park with lakes and woods for strolling.  It’s also filled with museums, art displays, and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.

Soulard, the nightlife go-to for city travelers, is home to the best dining, drinking, and entertainment options, characterized by the cobblestone streets and charismatic old-school architecture.  Soulard also boasts a blues music scene with seafood spots that serve oysters and crawfish.  The region can trace its founding back to 1779.

Its most notable activity is the Soulard Farmers Market, which displays a vast array of cheeses and meats that draw people from around the state.

St. Louis Economy

The STL economy relies on service, manufacturing, trade, transportation of goods, and tourism to keep the supply and demand up. In addition, the metro area is home to major corporations like:

  • Anheuser-Busch
  • Express Scripts
  • Centene
  • Boeing Defense
  • Emerson
  • Energizer
  • Panera
  • Enterprise
  • Peabody Energy
  • Ameren
  • Post Holdings
  • Monsanto
  • Scottrade
  • Edward Jones
  • Go Jet
  • Purina
  • Sigma Aldrich

Additionally, nine of the ten Fortune 500 companies located in Missouri today are found within the STL metropolitan area.  The city has recently been regarded for its growing medical, pharmaceutical, and research presence in scientific studies.

St. Louis Sports

St. Louisans are proud of their two professional sports teams today: the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball and the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League.  Developers are testing the waters for hosting a Major League Soccer team at this time as well.

St. Louis Related Pages


References:

Revisions:

  1. October 26, 2021 – added Expedia YouTube video – MWS
  2. September 10, 2021 – added entries for 2020 and 2021 for a variety of events – MWS
  3. July 7, 2021 – revised content to include the newly elected mayor, Tishaura Jones preceding Lyda Krewson – MWS
  4. May 29, 2021 – revised grammatical errors, increased internal links, etc. – MWS