Missouri History Guide

Long before European explorers arrived here, this land was the ancestral home of Native American Indian tribes, especially the Missouri and Osage tribes; they raised their children and crops; hunted the bountiful land, and for the most part, lived in peace. Hernando de Soto visited the Missouri area in 1541. In 1673, the intrepid French explorers, Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet, made their way down the Mississippi River to a point near present-day St. Louis. However, France's claim to the entire region was based on Sieur de la Salle's travels in 1682. French fur traders established Ste. Genevieve in 1735, and St. Louis was first settled in 1764.

In 1762, the Louisiana Territory came under Spanish control. Although few Spaniards settled Missouri, many U.S. miners and farmers entered from Mississippi. In 1800, France reclaimed the Louisiana Territory and in 1803, sold it to the United States. The Missouri Territory was organized in 1812. In 1818, Saint Louis University was founded, a Catholic Jesuit Seminary that was the first college west of the Mississippi River. It expanded its programs to include secular instruction.

As people flooded into Missouri, Native Americans grew angry and began raiding settlements. During the War of 1812, Britain supplied the Indians with weapons and encouraged them to attack Missouri settlements. Not until 1815 did the attacks end with a peace treaty at Portage des Sioux. By 1825, few Native Americans lived in Missouri.

Missouri became the 24th state on Aug. 10, 1821.

In 1857, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the Dred Scott Decision that slaves were considered property. This historic decision increased tension between the North and the South. Kansas, located on Missouri's western border, became a free state in 1861. Fighting between Kansas and Missouri began and continued into the Civil War. Slavery was certainly the crisis at the heart of America's Civil War, and in Missouri opposing slavery factions firmly staked their ground; troops were sent to support both the Confederate and Union causes, and eventually neighbors fought neighbors as the tragic war raged on. In the end Missouri witnessed more battles than any other state, next to Tennessee and Virginia.

In 1865, Missouri abolished slavery, doing so before the adoption of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, by an ordinance of immediate emancipation. Missouri adopted a new constitution, one that denied voting rights and had prohibitions against certain occupations for former Confederacy supporters.

During World War I (1914-1918), Missouri's industries expanded to help supply war materials. John Pershing of Linn County was named commander in chief of the U.S. forces in France. The Great Depression (1929-1939) caused more than 200,000 Missourians to lose their jobs and some to lose their land. The federal government established programs to help bring employment to Missouri. World War II (1939-1945) also revived the economy as factories again opened to provide war materials.

Today, Missouri's economy is highly diversified. Service industries provide more income and jobs than any other segment, and include a growing tourism and travel sector. Wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, and agriculture also play significant roles in the state's economy.

Missouri is a leading producer of transportation equipment (including automobile manufacturing and auto parts), beer and beverages, and defense and aerospace technology. Food processing is the state's fastest-growing industry.

Missouri mines produce 90% of the nation's principal (non-recycled) lead supply. Other natural resources include iron ore, zinc, barite, limestone, and timber.

The state's top agricultural products include grain, sorghum, hay, corn, soybeans, and rice. Missouri also ranks high among the states in cattle and calves, hogs, and turkeys and broilers. A vibrant wine industry also contributes to the economy.

Missouri Famous People

• Maya Angelou (1928 - ) Author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings; born in St. Louis.
• David Rice Atchison (1807 - 1886) A Missouri native, held the office of president of the United States for one day in 1849.
• Scott Bakula (1955 - ) Actor of television's "Quantum Leap"; born in St. Louis.
• Yogi Berra (1925 - ) New York Yankee catcher that won 10 World Series; born in St. Louis.
• Chuck Berry (1926 - ) Singer known for ?Johnny B. Goode?; born in Wentzville.
• Susan Elizabeth Blow (1843 - 1916) Teacher and founder of the nation's first public kindergarten in St. Louis; born in St. Louis.
• Omar N. Bradley (1893 - 1981) Commanded the 12th Army Group in World War II, the largest American force ever united under one man's command.  Bradley served 69 years on active duty in the Armed Forces, longer than any other soldier in United States history; born near Clark.
• Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) (1835 - 1910) Author made famous with Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; born in Florida, MO.
• T.S. Eliot (1888 - 1965) Nobel Prize winning author of The Wasteland; born in St. Louis.
• Jesse James (1847 - 1882) Famous outlaw killed by one of his own gang; born in Kearney.
• Rush Limbaugh (1951 - ) Radio and television talk show host; born in Cape Girardeau.
• James Cash Penney (1875 - 1971) Founder of the J.C. Penney Company; born in Hamilton
• Harry S. Truman (1884 - 1972) The 33^rd President of the United States; born in Lamar.
• Kathleen Turner (1954 - ) Actress starring in Romancing the Stone; born in Springfield.
• Roy Wilkins (1901 - 1981) Leader of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); born in St. Louis.