A Bit About St. Louis History (originally published 2015)
As
the name of my blog implies, I am from Saint Louis, Missouri. My family history research started here, and has led me in many fascinating directions. I am proud to call St. Louis my home, but because the
contributions made to the country by this great city and its French founders often go
overlooked, I think it's best to start with a bit of a history lesson.
At the end of the French and Indian War in 1763, the French-held land east of the Mississippi River was given to the British. The French settlers at Kaskaskia and around Fort de Chartres (now in Illinois), decided to found a new village on the west bank of the Mississippi to escape from British rule. Unfortunately, they were not aware that the land on the west side of the Mississippi had been given to Spain after the war. A proud and patriotic group, these French men and women were able to preserve their "Frenchness" while under Spanish rule. In fact, they always considered themselves French and their descendants were called "French" by the Americans who arrived in the city after the Louisiana Purchase.
I should note here that in later years, credit for the founding of St. Louis was given to Pierre Laclède Liguest, an entrepreneur, and René August Chouteau, the 15 year old son of his romantic partner, Marie-Thérèse Bourgeois Chouteau. Historians are now beginning to dispute this story for several reasons, which you can read about in St. Louis Rising: The French Regime of Louis St. Ange de Bellerive by Carl J. Ekberg and Sharon K Person (University of Illinois Press, 2015). I will not go into detail here, but basically, because of his prosperity, August Chouteau (decades later), was able to create a "myth" and take credit for the establishment of St. Louis. A closer study disputes this and shows that other St. Louisans played a much greater role, including some of my ancestors.
Anyway, on with the story:
In 1800, Napoleon secured the return of the land west of the Mississippi to France. There had been no formal transfer between Spain and France, and the French residents of St. Louis, because of their remote location, never knew they had been back under French rule until after the Louisiana Purchase had taken place. To honor the proud citizens, a "Three Flag Ceremony" was held. The Spanish flag was taken down, and the French flag was raised and allowed to fly for 24 hours before the US flag was raised.
The French citizens were quickly inundated with Americans who did not understand their language, culture, or system of land use. This caused a lot of problems and law suits. Many of the French lost the wealth and prestige that they had prior to the Louisiana Purchase simply because the rules changed. They stuck together as a community, and many moved out of the city itself to areas like Carondelet and Florissant (separate cities at that time, now part of the larger St. Louis and St. Louis County). Even in the late 19th century, there were men and women in parts of the city who could only speak French and considered themselves French.
Vive la France!
Research:
I am very careful with my research, but I may make mistakes. Please let me know if you find any incorrect or conflicting information. I will edit and repost as I find new information, but if I do not change something you suggest, it just means I haven't been able to verify your suggestion.
Sources:
All sources may not be listed. Rest assured, I have solid sources for most of my information. If you would like my sources for a specific piece of information, please let me know.
Formatting:
Going forward, my blog will consist primarily of 8.5 x 11 inch images I created using MyMemories scrapbooking software. These can only be printed in their entirety. I don't mind if you use them for your own private files, but publishing/reposting the pages or using them for profit is not permitted. You can share the link to my blog with others.
All of my previous images seem to have disappeared from Blogger, so I am slowly editing and reposting them. Here's to hoping this doesn't happen again!!
At the end of the French and Indian War in 1763, the French-held land east of the Mississippi River was given to the British. The French settlers at Kaskaskia and around Fort de Chartres (now in Illinois), decided to found a new village on the west bank of the Mississippi to escape from British rule. Unfortunately, they were not aware that the land on the west side of the Mississippi had been given to Spain after the war. A proud and patriotic group, these French men and women were able to preserve their "Frenchness" while under Spanish rule. In fact, they always considered themselves French and their descendants were called "French" by the Americans who arrived in the city after the Louisiana Purchase.
Map of Pais Des Ilinois (The Illinois Country) found at French History and Language in the American Midwest
on GeoCurrents.info
I should note here that in later years, credit for the founding of St. Louis was given to Pierre Laclède Liguest, an entrepreneur, and René August Chouteau, the 15 year old son of his romantic partner, Marie-Thérèse Bourgeois Chouteau. Historians are now beginning to dispute this story for several reasons, which you can read about in St. Louis Rising: The French Regime of Louis St. Ange de Bellerive by Carl J. Ekberg and Sharon K Person (University of Illinois Press, 2015). I will not go into detail here, but basically, because of his prosperity, August Chouteau (decades later), was able to create a "myth" and take credit for the establishment of St. Louis. A closer study disputes this and shows that other St. Louisans played a much greater role, including some of my ancestors.
Anyway, on with the story:
In 1800, Napoleon secured the return of the land west of the Mississippi to France. There had been no formal transfer between Spain and France, and the French residents of St. Louis, because of their remote location, never knew they had been back under French rule until after the Louisiana Purchase had taken place. To honor the proud citizens, a "Three Flag Ceremony" was held. The Spanish flag was taken down, and the French flag was raised and allowed to fly for 24 hours before the US flag was raised.
A postcard depiction of the raising of the American flag over St. Louis
on March 10, 1804.
Source: Missouri History Museum
The French citizens were quickly inundated with Americans who did not understand their language, culture, or system of land use. This caused a lot of problems and law suits. Many of the French lost the wealth and prestige that they had prior to the Louisiana Purchase simply because the rules changed. They stuck together as a community, and many moved out of the city itself to areas like Carondelet and Florissant (separate cities at that time, now part of the larger St. Louis and St. Louis County). Even in the late 19th century, there were men and women in parts of the city who could only speak French and considered themselves French.
Vive la France!
Research:
I am very careful with my research, but I may make mistakes. Please let me know if you find any incorrect or conflicting information. I will edit and repost as I find new information, but if I do not change something you suggest, it just means I haven't been able to verify your suggestion.
Sources:
All sources may not be listed. Rest assured, I have solid sources for most of my information. If you would like my sources for a specific piece of information, please let me know.
Formatting:
Going forward, my blog will consist primarily of 8.5 x 11 inch images I created using MyMemories scrapbooking software. These can only be printed in their entirety. I don't mind if you use them for your own private files, but publishing/reposting the pages or using them for profit is not permitted. You can share the link to my blog with others.
All of my previous images seem to have disappeared from Blogger, so I am slowly editing and reposting them. Here's to hoping this doesn't happen again!!
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