The founding of St. Louis began in 1763. Pierre Laclede led an expedition to set up a fur-trading post farther up the Mississippi River. Before then, Laclede had been a very successful merchant. For this reason, he and his trading partner Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent were offered monopolies for six years of the fur trading in that area. Some historians believe that Laclede's determination to create this settlement here was the result of his affair with a married woman Marie-Thérèse Bourgeois Chouteau, and so they wanted to get out of New Orleans. Our tour guide mentioned that it was Laclede's step son, a 14 year old Lieutenant did most of the work creating the waterfront.
The Gateway Arch is the largest arch in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Eads Bridge is a combined road and railway bridge over the Mississippi River at St. Louis, connecting St. Louis and East St. Louis, Illinois. As of April 2014, it carries about 8,100 vehicles daily, down 3,000 since the new Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge opened in February 2014
The bridge is named for its designer and builder, James B. Eads. When completed in 1874, it was the longest arch bridge in the world, costing was nearly ten million dollars.
Folks were very dubious about the safety of the bridge so a train was run over the bridge to show its ability to handle such traffic. Still folks were scpetical so on June 14, 1874, John Robinson lead a 'test elephant' on a stroll across the bridge to prove it was safe. A big crowd cheered as the elephant from a traveling circus lumbered towards Illinois. It was believed that elephants had instincts that would keep them from setting foot on unsafe structures. The safety issue was put to rest from this time on.
The original power house still functions providing power and steam to the city.
There are many interesting buildings in the city and the the building to the right of the photo has no windows in the center of the building, it is painted as if there are windows and balconies present.
Many of the streets in the Old Riverside area are cobbled. They look great but very uncomfortable to ride over.
The historic area of the waterfront is an interesting place to visit and provides lots of opportunities to dine.
It is a very arty city.
Even has street lighting the same as the UK.
Forest Park is now rated first in the USA , it covers 1,400 acres and was started in 1876. The public is welcome to walk on the grass, enjoy picnic's, boat rides, golf, archery, musical events and provides bike trails and so much more. It houses the zoo and several museum's. In 1904 the World Fair and some of the Olympic games were held in this park. There are some of the original building still standing and are quite outstanding.
Best wishes,
Beverley and Ross
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