There are many fun things to do in the St. Louis area ranging from the Gateway Arch, the City Museum, the Zoo, and Six Flags. But did you know St. Louis is filled with many historical sites as well? For people who want to explore St. Louis even more, here are a few historic places you might have missed out on.
1. Gateway Arch
One of the more obvious sites of the list, the Gateway Arch is the iconic symbol of St. Louis. Spanning 630 meters, it is the tallest monument in the United States and the world’s tallest arch. Nicknamed “Gateway to the West,” it is a national historic landmark and the monument of Westward Expansion, as people moved out west in the 19th century seeking new opportunities. There is a tram ride to the top, a museum on American natives, explorers, and pioneers, and riverboat cruises for a relaxing tour.
2. The Old Courthouse
Just a few blocks from the Gateway Arch, the Old Courthouse is a beautiful courthouse with a huge iron dome and many murals. The famous and prominent Dred Scott case took place here, where an enslaved person sued for his freedom. This case later was appealed to the Supreme Court and helped fuel the beginning of the Civil War.
3. The Old Cathedral
The Old Cathedral, also known as the Basilica of Saint Louis, was the first cathedral west of the Mississippi and was the seat of the Archdiocese of St. Louis until the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis was built. It is a beautiful church with tall pillars and a great view of the Riverfront.
4. Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site & Grant’s Farm
Visit Official Website for Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
Visit Official Website for Grant’s Farm
Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
Grant’s Farm
Grant’s Cabin
Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, also known as White Haven, commemorates the life and presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, who served as president after the Civil War. It contains five historic structures including the childhood home and plantation of his wife, Julia Dent Grant.
Next door is Grant’s Farm, a farm filled with animals and fun activities; it once belonged to Ulysses S. Grant and was bought by the Busch family almost a hundred years ago. It also features Grant’s Cabin which was a cabin Grant built with his own hands.
5. Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
This historic bridge, with a unique 30-degree turn midway, was a popular bridge carrying the historic Route 66 over the Mississippi for over three decades. Placed over a chain of rocks dangerous to water navigators, this now all-pedestrian bridge features scenic overlooks of the Mississippi River, eagle watching, and a glimpse into early 20th century bridge construction.
6. Campbell’s House Museum
Built in 1851, it was the home of Robert Campbell, a wealthy immigrant entrepreneur. It is a gorgeous Victorian-style home filled with family possessions and artifacts. This historic building contains replica textiles, original lighting fixtures, authentic furniture, clothes, paintings, and photographs from the mid-1880s.
7. Scott Joplin House State Historic Site
This post-Civil War home of Scott Joplin and his wife Belle Hayden is now a tribute to the nationally-famous ragtime composer’s life and work. His former apartment features a music room and piano rolls. Currently, the house is still lit by gaslight and features an authentic piano player playing Scott Joplin’s melodies and museum exhibits that interpret Joplin’s life.
8. Jefferson Barracks Park
Jefferson Barracks, in honor of President Thomas Jefferson, was established in 1826 as the country’s first “Infantry School of Practice” and became the army’s first permanent base west of the Mississippi River. It served as the first basic training site for the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII and was a major United States military installation until 1946.
Jefferson Barracks has several buildings remaining from the 1800s, such as a Laborer’s House and Ordnance Stable, a Visitor Center, and two Powder Magazines. This area overlooking the Mississippi River has museums, a hiking trail, a cemetery, an active Missouri National Guard Base, and a VA medical hospital nearby.
9. Cahokia Mounds
Located in Collinsville, Illinois, this architectural marvel of 2,200 acres is the site of the largest pre-Columbian Native American village north of Mexico. Take a guided tour and see the homes, mounds, and grand monumental works from the great ancient city of Cahokia, which was bigger than London at its time. An interpretive center presents an orientation film each hour.
10. Samuel Cupples House and Gallery
This Romanesque-styled mansion, now currently on St. Louis University’s campus, was built by wealthy wood merchant Samuel Cupples during the Gilded Age. This extravagant mansion features 42 rooms, 22 fireplaces, an impressive collection of fine and decorative art, and Tiffany windows.
