Historic St Charles Missouri

St Charles Christmas Market 2022 /suttong.com

St Charles Missouri was Missouri's first State Capitol between 1801 and 1826.

We stopped by for the annual Christmas market and parade. Parking at the historic Lewis and Clark Boathouse, pictured below, soon filled up.

Further along by the river is the old railroad station.

The Missouri River runs parallel to Main Street where locals and visitors gathered to watch the parade event between shopping and eating.

St Charles MO / G Sutton 2022

A vendor sells chestnuts and wassail.

St Charles MO/ G Sutton 2022

The sign to the left marks the old trail to Fort Osage, established August 25, 1808. General Clark and his men were guided by Nathan Boone, son of Daniel Boone as they headed west.

We saw a variety of Christmas gifts and lots of food-- a sample.

You can hear these women sing in the video below.

The Mistletoe Misses

The English Shop got my attention--but I think they should call it British.

At the end of the parade, Santa appeared.

There's a touch of international flavour.

Here's a video of the Christmas parade we watched 4 December 2022.

About St Charles, Missouri

St. Charles, Missouri, has a rich history that dates back to 1769 when it was founded by French Canadian fur trader Louis Blanchette as Les Petites Côtes (The Little Hills). The city was initially under Spanish control and later became known as San Carlos Borromeo before finally being renamed St. Charles.

In 1804, St. Charles gained historical significance as the starting point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The city also served as Missouri's first state capital from 1821 to 18262. Throughout the 19th century, German settlers contributed to the area's development, establishing a thriving wine region and bringing their culture and commerce.

Today, St. Charles is known for its historic sites, charming downtown, and annual festivals that celebrate its rich heritage. It continues to be a vibrant community with a deep appreciation for its history.

One of their biggest festivals is Heritage Days -- a re-enactment of Lewis & Clark's 1804 camp.

St Charles is less than a half-hour west of St Louis where we visited other sites during our Christmas getaway.

Click for Google Map

See other St Louis Area posts

Wild Lights at St Louis Zoo

GLOW at Missouri Botanical Gardens

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