Travel back in time and experience the rich history of St. Louis, from Lewis and Clark’s epic voyage to the city’s bustling riverboat commerce. Discover the hidden gems and vibrant culture that make St. Louis one of America’s most underrated cities.
The Gateway Arch, image by The Newsletter ’05
I am so tired of people being so shocked and surprised with our fine city. Especially with the media always keeping us in their thoughts and conversations, with the ‘Most Dangerous’ tagline.
A tagline that stirs the pot and make people from across the country deciding to take their trips and dollars someplace else. However, the things in St. Louis that are not secrets are the attractions that the city is adored for.
According to Forbes, “Because our country is so big today, people forget the wild history of westward expansion that spurred out of St. Louis in the 19th century. It was a hub for riverboats, wagon trains, and the railroad, and the gateway of westward expansion. Its food and music were born of the New Orleans’ spirit. Still, the city remains underappreciated.”
I don’t know about our food being born of New Orleans’ spirit, there isn’t anything from New Orleans that can hold a candle to our food scene. Most importantly, they did get this right, “The Arch represents the historical significance of St. Louis as the “Gateway to the West.” Its official name is Gateway Arch National Park, erected in the 1960s to celebrate “the diverse people who shaped the region and the country.”
Indeed, many types passed through St. Louis during the 19th century, a mix of characters traveling by river boat, wagon, and railroad. The Arch symbolizes these journeys and the role each played in making St. Louis a booming and interesting place to be, a launching point for voyages west.”
They also touched bases on our humble beginnings: Lewis & Clark set off on their epic voyage of discovery from “The Lou” in 1804, and not long after, its waterfront became a hub of riverboat commerce on the Mississippi River. A few decades later, wagon trains and railroads arrived in St. Louis. Together, these eras shaped the country, connecting the north and south and pushing the American border west.
But they also shaped the city. A visit to St. Louis today offers the chance to revisit these eras in American history, and to see how its food, art, and music scenes have been shaped by influences from the south, arriving slowly but surely on the riverboats.
St. Louis is a forgotten place in a way. In fact, it has long been on lists of the most underrated cities in America. Back in 2016, Thrillist called St. Louis the “most overlooked city in America.”
Perhaps the low-profile is due to the humility of its mid-west residents, who are easily approachable and nice, even when you’re wearing the wrong jersey at Busch Stadium. Or maybe it’s because of the city’s location, far from the coasts.
No matter, the secrets of St. Louis, like they always have, await those who pass through.
More on the ARCH: Spend time downstairs in the large museum to learn about what life was like on this American frontier, and I definitely recommend taking the tram to the top for a wonderful view of the city and a look at the inner workings of the Arch.
Don’t miss out on some time underneath it outside—it truly is a work of art, the light of day always changing its complexion. Walk north into the adjacent park for a different vantage point.
At dusk, sit in one of the lawns surrounding the Arch and watch the evening lights come on. It may not be the Eiffel Tower in Paris, but it’s pretty dang close. The Arch is the tallest monument in America at 630 feet.
The Steamboat Era Sparked the City’s Growth
By the time the wagon trains and railroads were launching west from St. Louis in the mid-1800s, the steamboat era had already shaped the city in major ways.
Starting in 1817, St. Louis served as the northernmost hub for riverboats, and the city grew fast. By 1850, it was the second largest port in America, a remarkable fact considering it’s nowhere near the ocean.
You can catch an informative and scenic river boat cruise from the docks on the river adjacent to the Arch, which will pass on some of the history and provide views of the Arch from the water. Check the timetable and plan to go immediately following your visit to the Arch for efficiency’s sake.
For a closer and more adventurous look at the Mighty Mississippi, head out on a guided canoe trip.
Its city park is bigger than Central Park.
I was pretty surprised to hear that Forest Park in St. Louis was one of the largest city parks in the States. It sprawls 1,300 acres in size—by comparison, Central Park in New York is 843 acres—and offers more than just open space.
Other Notable Neighborhoods
St. Louis has several historic neighborhoods to explore.
Be sure to swing through Soulard, a national historic district that has become a modern entertainment district. Houses in the neighborhood are 150+ years old, and tucked in and around them are bars, restaurants, and neighborhood coffee shops.
The Soulard Farmers’ Market was founded in the 18th century and is worth checking out for both the vendors and the people watching. It’s an especially fun area to check out on a game night, as several bars in this area, such as 1860s, provide free shuttles to Busch Stadium with the purchase of a drink.
In closing, before I turn you to the original post by Forbes. I think they forgot to mention City Museum!
City Museum is a museum whose exhibits consist largely of repurposed architectural and industrial objects, housed in the former International Shoe building in the Washington Avenue Loft District of St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Opened in October 1997, the museum attracted more than 700,000 visitors in 2010.
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