St. Charles, MissouriCountryStateCountyGovernment • MayorArea[1] • Total • Land • WaterPopulation(2020) • Total • DensityTime zone • Summer (DST)ZIP CodesArea codesFIPS codeWaterwaysWebsite
Saint Charles(commonly abbreviatedSt. Charles) is a city in, and thecounty seatof,St. Charles County,Missouri, United States.[2]The population was 65,794 at the2010 census, making St. Charles the ninth-largest city in Missouri. Situated on theMissouri River, St. Charles, Missouri is a northwestern suburb ofSt. Louis.
The city was founded circa 1769 asLes Petites Côtes, or "The Little Hills" inFrench, byLouis Blanchette, a French-Canadian fur trader.[3]This former French area west of the Mississippi River was nominally ruled by Spain following France's defeat in theSeven Years' War. France had ceded its eastern territories to Great Britain. St. Charles is the third-oldest city in Missouri. For a time, it played a significant role as a river port in the United States' westward expansion, including trade with Native American tribes on the upper Missouri River. It was the starting point of theBoone's Lick Roadto theBoonslick.
St. Charles was settled primarily by French-speaking colonists fromCanadain its early days. In 1804 theLewis and Clark Expeditionconsidered this settlement the last "civilized" stop before they headed upriver to explore the western territory that the United States acquired from France in theLouisiana Purchase.[4]
Native Americanpeoples inhabited the area at least as early as 11,000 B.C. When European colonists arrived, the area was inhabited by the historic Ilini, Osage and Missouri tribes.
According to Hopewell'sLegends of the Missouri and Mississippi, Blanchette met another French Canadian (Bernard Guillet) at this site in 1765. Blanchette, determined to settle there, asked if Guillet, who had become an honorary chief of aDakotaband, had chosen a name for it.
"I called the place 'Les Petites Côtes' " replied Bernard, "from the sides of the hills that you see.""By that name shall it be called", said Blanchette Chasseur, "for it is the echo of nature — beautiful from its simplicity."
Blanchette settled therecirca1769 under the authority of the Spanish governor ofUpper Louisiana(the area had been ceded by Franceto Spainunder an agreement with Great Britain following French defeat in theFrench and Indian Wars). He was appointed as the territory's civil and military leader, serving until his death in 1793. Although the settlement was under Spanish jurisdiction, the settlers were primarily Native American and French Canadians who had migrated from northern territories. Most settlers spoke French.
Considered to begin in St. Charles, theBoone's Lick Roadalong theMissouri Riverwas the major overland route for European-American settlement of central and western Missouri. This area became known as theBoonslickor "Boonslick Country." AtFranklin, the trail ended. Westward progress continued on theSanta Fe Trail.
The first church, built in 1791, was Catholic and dedicated to the Italian saintCharles Borromeo, under the Spanish version of his name, San Carlos Borromeo. The town became known asSan Carlos del Misuri("St. Charles of the Missouri"). The original location of the church is not known but a replica has been built just off Main Street. The fourth St. Charles Borromeo Church now stands on Fifth Street.
The name of the town, San Carlos, was anglicized to St. Charles.William Clarkarrived in St. Charles on May 16, 1804. With him were 40 men and three boats; they made final preparations for their major cross-country expedition, as they waited forMeriwether Lewisto arrive from St. Louis. They attended dances, dinners, and a church service during this time. Excited to be part of the national expedition, the townspeople were very hospitable to the explorers. Lewis arrived viaSt. Charles Rock Roadon May 20. The expedition launched the next day in akeelboat at 3:30 pm. St. Charles was the last established European-American town that the expedition visited for more than two and a half years.
When Missouri was granted statehood in 1821, the legislature decided to build a "City ofJefferson" to serve as the state capital, in the center of the state, overlooking the Missouri River. Since this land was undeveloped at the time, a temporary capital was needed. St. Charles was chosen over eight other cities in a competition to house the temporary capital. It offered free meeting space for the legislature in rooms located above a hardware store. This building is preserved as theFirst Missouri State Capitol State Historic Siteand may be toured. The Missouri government continued to meet there until buildings were completed inJefferson Cityin 1826.
Gottfried Dudenwas a German who visited in the area in 1824. Travelling under the guidance of Daniel M. Boone, he wrote extensive accounts of life inSt. Charles Countyduring his year there. He published these after returning to Germany in 1829, and his favorable impressions of the area led to the immigration of a number of Germans in 1833. The first permanent German settler in the region was probably Louis Eversman, who had arrived with Duden but decided to stay.
In the post World War II era, the federal government undertook a major program of interstate highway construction. St. Charles is where the first claimed interstate project was started in 1956. A state highway marker is displayed with a logo and information regarding this claim, off Interstate 70 going westbound, to the right of the First Capitol Drive exit.[citation needed]KansasandPennsylvaniaalso claim to have had the first interstate project.
St. Charles is acharter cityunder theMissouri Constitution, with a City Council as the governing body. One member is elected for each of the ten wards, in an arrangement known assingle-member districts, and each serves a three-year term.[7]
The executive head of the City government is the Mayor for all legal and ceremonial purposes. Electedat-largefor a four-year term, the Mayor appoints the members of the various Boards, Commissions, and Committees created byordinance. The current mayor is Dan Borgmeyer; he was sworn in on May 7, 2019.[8]
WardCity Council Member[9]
1
Christopher Kyle
2
Tom Besselman
3
Vince Ratchford
4
Mary West
5
Denise Mitchell
6
Jerry Reese
7
Michael Flandermeyer
8
Michael Galba
9
Bart Haberstroh
10
Bridget Ohmes
2019 St. Charles mayoral election (non-partisan) [10]CandidateVotes%
In the 1950s, it was acquired by the city and adapted as a public high school.St. Charles West(SCW or simply "West") was constructed in the late 1970s in response to the city's growing population. St. Charles West had its first graduation in 1979. St. Charles High School underwent renovation in 1995 to improve both the exterior and interior of the building. St. Charles West was renovated in 2005, and a new library and auxiliary gym were built. The city is also served by Jefferson Intermediate, which has all 5th and 6th grade classes, and Hardin Middle School, which has all 7th and 8th grade classes.
A variety ofprivate schoolsalso operate here, each affiliated with a religious denomination. These include Immanuel Lutheran (Pre-K to 8), Zion Lutheran (Pre-K to 8), St. Charles Borromeo, St. Peter's, St. Cletus (K-8), Academy of the Sacred Heart (founded bySaint Rose Philippine Duchesne, and the site of her shrine),Duchesne High School(formerly named St. Peter High school), and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton-St. Robert Bellarmine (K-8).
Other schools are associated with theFrancis Howelland theOrchard Farmschool districts, which also serve parts of St. Charles. Many students who live on the southern edge of St. Charles City attend Henderson, Becky David, or Harvest Ridge elementary schools, Barnwell Middle, andFrancis Howell North High School. To the North, the Orchard Farm School District also serves St. Charles. Like the Francis Howell School District, it is based outside the city limits, and has two elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school.
Lindenwood Universityis located on Kingshighway, near downtown St. Charles and St. Charles High. Founded by Major George Sibley and his wife Mary in 1827 as a women's school named Lindenwood School for Girls, the institution is the second-oldest higher-education institution west of theMississippi River.[11]The private university is affiliated with thePresbyterian Church.
In the 21st century, LU is one of the fastest-growing universities in the Midwest. It enrolls close to 15,000 students. In 2006 it briefly attracted publicity whenPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animalsstaged a small protest against its unusual tuition fee policies: in an effort to help rural students pay for higher education, LU allowed families to sell livestock to the school. The animals were slaughtered and processed for serving at campus dining halls.[12]Lindenwood hosts 89.1 The Wood (KCLC), a commercial-free student-driven radio station.
Pharma Medica, a contract research and biotechnology corporation, opened its first U.S. location in 2013 in St. Charles. It began conducting clinical trials in February 2014. Its goal was to create 320 high tech jobs by early 2017.[citation needed]
St. Charles lies near the eastern end of theKaty Trail, a 225-mile (362 km) long state park that was adapted from railroad right-of-way.
Since the late 1970s, there has been rapid new home construction, commercial and population growth in the St. Charles area. The phrase "Golden Triangle" was coined by developers of this area in the 1980s, referring to the St. Charles County region bordered by highwaysInterstate 70,Interstate 64, andRoute 94.
St. Charles has a historic shopping district on Main Street. Numerous restored buildings house such tourist destinations as restaurants and various specialty stores. Since 2015, walking food tours on Historic Main Street can be taken through the company Dishing Up America. These tours take customers to the locally famous restaurants in the city.
While it does not offer a public golf course, the St. Charles Parks and Recreation System opened a dog park on the north side of the city as a part of DuSable Park-Bales Area in November 2006. This off-leash dog area has two sections – one for smaller dogs, one for larger.
TheSt. Charles Convention Centerbrings visitors, meetings and events to the city. TheFamily Arena, a county-owned 11,000-seat venue, was built in 1999 near the Missouri River. It is used by minor league sports franchises and hosts concerts and events.
The city has been home to several minor league sports teams. TheMissouri River Ottershockey team of theUnited Hockey League, played from 1999 until the team folded in 2006. The River Otters played at the 11,000-seatFamily Arena.[16]TheSt. Louis Ambushis a professional indoor soccer team that plays in the Family Arena. TheRiverCity Rageprofessional indoor football team played in St. Charles from 2001 until 2005, and from 2007 to 2009 before suspending operations for 2010. Since 2014 there is a new minor league soccer team in town, the St. Louis Ambush at the Family Arena.[17][18]
The Riverfront and Main Street area in theSt. Charles Historic Districtis a central gathering place and focal point for the community. The primary features of the riverfront and Historic Main Street are residences and businesses. Each block features shops, restaurants, and offices frequented by visitors and locals. Much is planned for the development and improvement of the area, including a northward extension of the Katy Trail, residential and commercial development, parking garage expansion, casino expansion, and development of hotels.
The "Christmas Traditions Festival", one of the nation's largest Christmas festivals, takes place on the streets of St. Charles annually. It starts the day afterThanksgivingand continues until the Saturday afterChristmas. Over 30 costumed Legends of Christmas stroll the streets and interact with guests, whileVictorian EraChristmas Carolers fill the air with old-fashioned carols. Every Saturday and Sunday, the Legends of Christmas and the Lewis & Clark Fife and Drum Corps take part in the Santa Parade as it heads up Historic South Main Street to the site of theFirst Missouri State Capitol.
On theFourth of Julyfireworks displays draw large numbers on two nights,July 4and another night before or after the Fourth. Many bring blankets to sit near the riverfront. Others opt to view the festivities from the Old Courthouse. The festival, named Riverfest, has been sponsored by the city of St. Charles and organized by a volunteer committee formed of city residents and sponsoring private organization (like the Jaycees) leaders.
The Festival of the Little Hills is a historic St. Charles tradition that takes place every year in August, the third full weekend of the month. Started in 1971, this festival is known nationally as one of the top ten craft fairs.[19]It runs through an entire weekend featuring great food, live entertainment, craft sales, and shows for kids. The festival is related to the famous Lewis & Clark expedition: many participants don clothing from the era and re-enact historic events. The city also encourages individuals to bring homemade crafts, jewelry, paintings, clothing and other items to sell at the festival.
Oktoberfest, held near the river, celebrates the historic German influence on the city. Many vendors sell beer and other German goods. It includes a parade. Missouri Tartan Day is a celebration of Scottish American Heritage and Culture held each spring, coinciding as closely as possible with April 6. This is the anniversary of the signing of theDeclaration of Arbroathin 1320. The Founding Fathers are said to have drawn from this document in drafting our own Constitution. The event features a parade with marching bagpipers from around the World and region, Scottish heavy athletics (caber toss, hammer throw, etc.), musical entertainment, traditional and contemporary foods and much fun. Highlights include the Kirkin' o' the Tartans (ceremony of blessing for the Scottish clans), displays of traditional Scottish clan Tartans, and demonstrations of traditional Scottish activities and games.
The Fete de Glace is an ice-carving competition and demonstration held on North Main Street in mid-January. The Missouri River Irish Festival is held every September in Frontier Park and on Main Street to celebrate Irish Heritage with music, dancing, storytelling, athletics, food, and fun.[20]During Quilts on Main Street, hundreds of quilts are displayed outside the shops on storefronts and balconies. This event is held annually in September. The Bluegrass Festival in Frontier Park on the big stage of Jaycee's pavilion is held early in September every year, featuring local and regional acts. The MOSAICS Fine Art Festival is also held on Historic Main Street each September to showcase local, regional and national artists. LGBTQ+ organization Pride St. Charles holds an annual pride festival yearly in June, formerly at Blanchette Park and most recently at the St. Charles Family Arena.
According to theFHA, St. Charles was the site of the first interstate highway project in the nation.[21]Major highways includeInterstates 64and70, Missouri 370, Missouri 94, and Missouri 364. Also see:St. Charles Area Transit
The "St. Charles City Streetcar" was a proposed newheritage streetcarline to be built connecting the New Town, Missouri residential development to the heart of the city ofSt. Charles.[22]This is a joint effort between Whittaker Builders, Inc, and the City of St. Charles andSt. Charles Area Transit.[23]A minimum of nine vintagePCC streetcars(not to be confused withcable cars), had been purchased from theSan Francisco areaby Whittaker Builders for use and spare parts.[23]The project stalled, and in 2012, the streetcars purchased by Whittaker Builders were scrapped following a fire. Whittaker, a developer of the New Town project and principal partner with the city on the streetcar project, has since gone bankrupt,[24]sealing the project's doom.
St. Charles is located about 20 miles northwest of St. Louis. According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.03 square miles (62.24 km2), of which 23.65 square miles (61.25 km2) is land and 0.38 square miles (0.98 km2) is water.[25]
Saint Charles has a Köppen humid subtropical climate, with warm and humid summers (eventual hot days) and cool winters (with short cold spells possible sometimes). Precipitation is mostly light to moderate, with occasional stormy weather. Spring is the wettest season on average.
hideClimate data for St Charles, Missouri (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYearRecord high °F (°C)Average high °F (°C)Daily mean °F (°C)Average low °F (°C)Record low °F (°C)Average precipitation inches (mm)Average snowfall inches (cm)Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)
As of thecensus[29]of 2010, there were 65,794 people, 26,715 households, and 16,128 families residing in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 2,782.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,074.1/km2). There were 28,590 housing units at an average density of 1,208.9 per square mile (466.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 87.5%White, 5.9%African American, 0.3%Native American, 2.5%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 1.8% fromother races, and 1.9% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 4.2% of the population.
There were 26,715 households, of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% weremarried couplesliving together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.6% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.90.
The median age in the city was 36.6 years. 19.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 13.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.9% were from 25 to 44; 26.6% were from 45 to 64; and 13.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
According to 2014, American Community Survey 5-year Estimates the median income for a household in the city was $56,622, and the median income for a family was $73,234. Males had a median income of $51,477 versus $40,311 females. Theper capita incomefor the city was $29,645. 8.8% of families and 11.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.7% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.
As of the census[30]of 2000, there were 60,321 people, 24,210 households, and 15,324 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,962.4 inhabitants per square mile (1,143.8/km2). There were 25,283 housing units at an average density of 1,241.6 per square mile (479.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.28%White, 3.48%African American, 0.27%Native American, 1.01%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 0.73% fromother races, and 1.19% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 1.97% of the population.
There were 24,210 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.4% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $47,782, and the median income for a family was $60,175. Males had a median income of $40,827 versus $27,778 for females. Theper capita incomefor the city was $23,607. About 4.6% of families and 6.3% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.
^"Dennis Spellmann, 70, President who Remade Struggling College, Dies."New York Times3 September 2006.Nytimes.com.25 January 2007(link)Archived2008-04-22 at theWayback Machine.
^"Station: St Charles Elm PT, MO".U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. RetrievedJuly 24,2021.
