This area was the home of the Mississippian culture. The area was visited by French explorers during the 1673 exploration of Mississippi. Pierre Laclede Liguest, a fur-trader from New Orleans and an explorer, established a station on the spot in 1764. At the time, it was Spanish territory. Auguste Chouteau laid its foundation and gave it the name Louis IX (the French Canonized Kings). St. Louis (1800), later was retroceded to France and made an American territory following the Louisiana Purchase (1803). The epic expedition of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the Pacific Northwest began in 1804. It was also the capital of Missouri (1812), and Louisiana (1805).

After the arrival of steamboats in 1817, St. Louis became a major river port. Many immigrants from Germany and Ireland arrived to St. Louis in the 19th Century. This is the Missouri Constitution Convention (1820). The capital moved to Kansas after Kansas was made a state in 1821. It was America's center for westward expansion. It was used by fur-trading expeditions and exploration groups. A steamboat carrying cholera was set on fire at the riverfront, resulting in many deaths. In the 1850s, railroads were constructed. They were replaced by steamboats in the 1870s. St. Louis was once an Union base. It was however taken by martial laws during American Civil War.

Fur trading was very important up until the middle of 1800s. In the second half 19th century, St. Louis became an industrial hub for brewing and shoe manufacturing. 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. To celebrate the 100th anniversary, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition was held. It was 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 experienced steady growth in the second half 19th century. Despite slow growth in the Great Depression of 1930s and subsequent World War II, St. Louis saw steady growth. It reached an all-time high of 850,000 in 1950. There were also more African Americans among the newcomers at that time. Over the next several decades, the city's population declined rapidly. In 2000, it was roughly equivalent to 1880. It is approximately two-fifths its 1950 level. Most of those who moved from the city were European-born. They moved to suburbs that saw rapid growth. However, St. Louis's African Americans population fell faster than expected and, by 2000, over 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 part of the Inland Waterway Systems. It is Mississippi's northernmost point and remains ice-free throughout the year. It can store 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 banking, financial, and telecommunications. Education is another important contributor. The economy's mainstay is manufacturing. The economy is made up of many products, including beer, 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), St. Louis University has microfilms of Vatican Library treasures. William Greenleaf Eliot (1853), great grandfather to T.S. Eliot founded Washington University. Eliot and St. Louis College of Pharmacy dates back to 1864. Just northwest of University of Missouri, St. Louis (1963). There are also Lindenwood University of St. Charles (1861), Harris-Stowe State College 1861, Maryville University of St. Louis (2722) and Webster University of St. Louis 225. Fontbonne University1923 might also be an option. St. Louis Community College (62).

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Alex Wolk

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