What is Missouri’s Oldest Town? It’s Way Older than Even America
Missouri does not lack history, but many don't realize that one town in the Show Me State dates back to even before America was officially a country and it hasn't changed that much since.
The Missouri Secretary of State website has an interesting timeline of things that have happened in the state including the first European voyage down the mighty Mississippi River in 1673. One of those early journeys down the Mississippi in Missouri resulted in the creation of Fort Orleans in 1723 that was eventually abandoned.
It was just a few decades later that a real community was created along the Mississippi River in Missouri and it became the oldest town in the state.
What is Missouri's oldest town?
Answer - Ste. Genevieve became a place in 1750 according to the Missouri Secretary of State website. Technically, it's the oldest permanent European settlement west of the Mississippi River.
Several other well-known Missouri places would be established not long after Ste. Genevieve including St. Louis in 1764 and St. Charles in 1769. It would be more than 2 decades after Ste. Genevieve was settled before America would become the United States of America.
One great thing about Ste. Genevieve, Missouri today is they embrace their French colonial past with lots of events and vintage buildings that will allow you to experience the original pioneer vibes. It's not easy to preserve nearly 280 years of history, but they manage it even today.
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Gallery Credit: Dan McGrath, Compass.com
