Nicknamed the Gateway to the West, St. Louis, Missouri, is a melting pot of over 300,000 people and a powerhouse of a city. It is located on the ancestral land of a Native American alliance of tribes known as the Illini Confederacy, who were the main inhabitants until European contact in the 17th century. By the 18th century, the population had become more settlers than natives, and St. Louis was founded on February 14th, 1764, by French fur traders Pierre Laclède, Auguste Chouteau, and Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent. They named it for King Louis IX. Shortly afterward, the area was ceded to Spain following France's defeat in the Seven Years' War. Later, the city was returned to France under a secret treaty and eventually became a part of the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Legend has it that on the day of the transfer to America, the city flew under French, Spanish, and American flags all in one day.
From its time as the starting point of Lewis and Clarks' famed Corps of Discovery Expedition until the modern era, St. Louis has been an important part of American history. From 1870 until 1920, it was listed as the fourth-largest city in the country, and in 1904 it hosted the Summer Olympics and the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, informally known as the St. Louis World's Fair. It was attended by nearly 19.7 million people and is considered by historians to have had a major impact on the intellectuals of the day.
Through the early 20th-Century, the economy continued to boom, with an exceptionally robust automobile production industry. St. Louis was home to the nation's first gas station and first car accident, and today the area is second in the country to the Detroit area in automobile production. It is the second-largest inland shipping port in America and is the northernmost point on the Mississippi River that remains ice-free year-round.
There are several state parks in the area, including Route 66, Castlewood, and the Mastodon State Historic Site, which is a treasure trove of anthropological importance. Route 66 Park has four trails to hike, bike, or ride horses. The area is a birdwatchers' dream, with over forty species identified in the park. Castlewood is one of the best places for mountain biking and considered one of the best fishing spots in the area.
The Mastodon Historic Site is home to the Kimmswick Bone Bed, an archaeological site where scientists discovered the first solid evidence of humans and American Mastodons coexisting in North America. Today, visitors can check out how the landscape looked in prehistoric times. The museum is complete with ancient artifacts, fossils, and a huge replica mastodon skeleton on display. The City Museum has interactive exhibits for the whole family, a sprawling expanse where artists have repurposed miles of tunnels, slides, climbs, bridges, and more, to create a unique experience.
The Gateway Arch is one of the most recognizable structures in the world, and visitors can take a tram to the top for an incredible skyline view from 630 feet in the air. A visit to Amp Up Action Park has many entertainment options including axe throwing, laser tag, and an elevated rope course. The cutting-edge virtual reality set-up allows up to four people to compete for points while defending against waves of zombies, monsters, dragon-bosses, and more. For those looking to take in the sites and learn a bit about the city’s history and architecture while checking out the local fare, the Eat St. Louis Food Tours are for you. There are different walking tours available based on your tastes.
St. Louis is an amazing city filled with rich history, hardworking people, and interesting things to see. Unfortunately, no matter how great a city is, it's hard to avoid critters invading your property at some point. If you live in St. Louis or the surrounding areas, Veteran's Pride Wildlife Control is who you want showing up to remove nuisance wildlife from your business or home. We're a veteran-owned company with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Contact us today with any questions or for a service estimate.