Historical Attractions in St. Charles MO

Saint Charles, Historically Awesome since 1769!

French Canadian explorer, Louis Blanchette, first designated St. Charles as a fur trading post called “Les Petites Cotes” in 1769. Considered to be the last “civilized” stop in Lewis & Clark’s westward expedition, St. Charles quickly became an important river port for the United States’ expansion with the Louisiana Purchase. Many other historical figures made their mark on St. Charles' history such as Daniel Boone and Jean Baptiste Point du Sable,  the founder of Chicago.

In 1821, St. Charles was named the first state capitol of Missouri until the current state capitol in Jefferson City was completed in 1826. The First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site on Main Street is open to visitors for tours. See the inside that has been restored to what it looked like back in the 1850s.

As of 2024, there are 39 locations in St. Charles County that have been added to the National Register of Historical Places. Look back on the city’s rich history and visit this place that has been welcoming visitors since 1769.