Soulard: St. Louis’ Oldest Neighborhood Preserves French Roots, Immigrant Heritage, and a Thriving Modern Identity
ST. LOUIS, MO (STL.News) – Tucked just south of downtown St. Louis lies Soulard (SLD), one of the city’s oldest and most vibrant neighborhoods. Known for its red-brick architecture, historic churches, blues bars, and the ever-bustling Soulard Farmers Market, the neighborhood is more than just a cultural hub—it is a living story of St. Louis itself. From French colonial land grants to German immigrant influence, and the rise of breweries to the sounds of modern jazz, SLD has evolved while fiercely preserving its heritage.
Today, SLD is listed as a historic district and continues to attract residents, entrepreneurs, and tourists alike. However, to understand why SLD remains such a vital part of St. Louis’ identity, one must step back through more than two centuries of history.
The French Connection: Antoine Soulard and Julia Cerré
SLD owes its name and foundation to Antoine Pierre Soulard, a French naval officer who fled the upheaval of the French Revolution in the late 1700s. Soulard eventually arrived in Spanish-controlled St. Louis, where he became the territorial surveyor for the Spanish governor.
In 1795, Antoine married Julia Marie Cerré, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, Gabriel Cerré. Julia would later become one of the most influential figures in the St. Louis real estate industry. When Antoine died in 1825, Julia inherited the land, becoming not just a widow but also one of the most powerful women in the region.
Her forward-thinking leadership marked her as the first female real estate developer west of the Mississippi River. Julia subdivided portions of the land, selling plots to settlers and immigrants who would soon define the area’s character.
Her most enduring gift came in 1841–42, when she donated two blocks of land to the city, with the stipulation that it be used as a public marketplace. That decision gave birth to the Soulard Farmers Market, which stands today as the oldest continuously operating public market west of the Mississippi River.
Soulard Farmers Market: The Heartbeat of the Neighborhood
If Soulard has a heart, it beats inside the SLD Farmers Market. Long before Julia’s donation, farmers were already selling goods in the area as early as 1779, when St. Louis was a small French outpost. However, by the mid-1800s, the market had become formalized on the land donated by SLD.
Today, the market continues to thrive, with more than 140 vendors offering a diverse range of products, including fresh produce, meats, spices, flowers, baked goods, and crafts, inside the Grand Hall —
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