Saint Louis General Information

New Orleans fur trader Pierre Laclede settled St. Louis in 1764 at the junction of the Missouri River and Mississippi. It is knows as the “Gateway to the West” and has a rich history to back up that claim. Lewis and Clark stepped here for supplies while on thief famous expeditions, and in the years that followed, St. Louis became a manufacturing center for everything a pioneer would need for their journey west. Today, the city is home to some of the largest companies in the United States including Anheuser-Busch and McDonnell Douglas.

The number one spectator sport in St. Louis is indisputable baseball. The St. Louis Browns placed first in the major leagues in 1885 and the Cardinals won their first World Series title in 1926, cemented the loyalty St. Louisans have for baseball through the present. Also close to their hearts are the Super Bowl champion football team the Rams, and the hockey Blues.

The famous Gateway Arch was completed in 1965. In addition St. Louis has an outstanding Zoo, Art Museum, History Museum, and Science Center, and they are all free, making these valuable institutions accessible to all.

There are three major neighborhoods; the Hill, known for its good restaurants, mostly Italian, and its simple old-world charm. The Soulard is a French neighborhood that celebrates Bastille Day and Mardi gras and this is the neighborhood that since 179 St. Louisans have been visiting for fresh produce, basked goods and exotic spices at Soulard Market. The third is the Central West End, a chic neighborhood filled with trendy boutiques, cozy sidewalk cafes and numerous galleries.

Some of the best collection of residential, office and institutional buildings in any American city can be found here and there are numerous examples of historic preservation and renovation in action at all times in this city.

The arts are alive and well in St. Louis as well. The Much, the world renowned Symphony, the Opera and the Fox Theatre as just a few of the many great venues this city has to offer.

No longer just a gateway to the west, St. Louis attracts visitors and new residents from around the globe, reflecting a recent cultural diversity that adds a wonderful kaleidoscope of people and cultures to this great city.