These first two photos are of the team at the staging area before visiting Old Main Street.
Here the team is turning onto Old Main Street.
The team as they traverse Old main Street.
The team in front of Missouri's first Capitol Building.
When it became apparent that Missouri would ultimately be granted statehood, Missourians chose the central location of Jefferson City as the site of their permanent state Capitol. But before construction could be completed on the Capitol Building, politicians and legislators needed a place to conduct governmental affairs. Several cities vied for the honor of hosting the temporary seat of government and St. Charles was chosen after its citizens pledged free meeting space if their city was chosen.The site chosen for the temporary seat of government for the new state of Missouri was the second floor of two adjoining Federal-style brick buildings in St Charles owned by the merchants, Charles and Ruluff Peck, and a craftsman named Chauncey Shepard. The upper floors of these two buildings were combined and partitioned with space provided for both the Senate and the House, with smaller quarters for an office for the governor and a committee room. From June 4, 1821 until August 10, 1821 this space served as the seat of the territorial government and continued as the seat of state government until October 1, 1826, when the building in Jefferson City was ready.
This photo is the back of the building. The back of the building faces the Missouri River .
Today the street that the 1st Capitol Building sits on is a major tourist and shopping area of Historic St. Charles. Ten block long 200-year-old brick lined Historic Main Street is Missouri's first and largest historic shopping district. A trolley travels the streets of more than 125 one-of-a-kind shops. Whether you're looking for the perfect gift or want to treat yourself to something special, there's something to suit every taste on Main Street. You will find unique specialty items, home accessories, artwork, and many other one-of-a-kind gifts. Enjoy creative cuisine that includes American fare, French, Mexican, Italian, and Spanish influences.All the buildings on Old Main date back to the 19th century. Here are some of the examples that you will see.
One of the buildings is the oldest existing brick church north of the Missouri River. It was built in 1831 and used by a Methodist congregation.
The oldest home built on Old Main is this building. The owner is a friend from our church who has a pottery shop in the building. He is an expert potter and acts as a 19 century potter in local festivals. Another merchant in this building builds and sells dulcimers.
A great rest stop along Old Main is this Gazebo which has park benches on the walkways around it plus restrooms.
A long time friend of ours just recently opened an Irish Pub, Llywelyn's, on Old Main. This is his fourth Llywelyn's in the St. Louis area. He has a fifth in Overland Park, Kansas
One of the shops on Old Main rents bicycles. It is a popular shop to rent bikes to use on the nearby Katy Trail, part of the Missouri State Park system, which starts on the St. Charles riverfront. The Katy Trail is a 225 mile long state park that starts in St. Charles and goes west to Clinton, MO. This trail is the America's longest "rails to trails" project. It follows the former MKT rail line along a flat and scenic route It is ideal for hiking, running or cycling.
Katy Trail in Frontier Park near MKT Depot.
The Greater Saint Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau operates a complimentary trolley service on Old Main from April 1 through the last Sunday in December. Regularly scheduled stops include: - Sundermeier RV Park
- Foundry Art Centre
- Lewis & Clark Boat House and Nature Center
- Ameristar Casino
- St. Charles Convention Center
- Bass Pro Shop
- Greater Saint Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau
The trolley also travels to Historic Frenchtown on north 2nd Street. Frenchtown is one of St. Charles's four downtown neighborhoods. The Historic Frenchtown District was founded by French settlers in 1769. In 1991, the 26-block neighborhood was declared a National Trust Historic District, thanks largely to its unique French Colonial-style architecture.The district proves popular with antique lovers - more than 20 unique stores line its streets - as well as with fans of architectural salvage items, including including hardware, molding, lighting accessories, and weather vanes. The Frenchtown Heritage Museum, located inside a historic firehouse, exhibits photos and memorabilia of Frenchtown and provides maps for neighborhood walking tours.
Here is another form of transportation on Old Main Street.
St. Charles gets is name from San Carlos Borromeo.
These markers behind the San Carlos Borromeo statue provide some early history of St. Charles.
This statue and markers are on the grounds of St. Charles County Courthouse on "Clerk's Hill" on Second Street. This building dates back to 1903.
The current Courthouse is this building on Second Street just north of the older one.
St. Charles City Hall is across the street from the courthouse.
Statues at the entrance of city hall.
The Lewis & Clark Expedition, 1804-1806, started out from St. Charles . Frontier Park on the Missouri River, just two blocks east of Old Main Street has a large monument of Lewis & Clark.
A statue of Captain William Clark is also on Old Main Street.
Frontier Park on the St. Charles riverfront is a very popular place. The Katy Trail goes through the park. The former MKT Deport is in this park.
There are several unique birdhouses in the park.
The Jaycee's built a nice outdoor stage in the park.
A caboose from the MKT Railroad and the Wabash Railroad sit along the Katy Trail in the park.
The Old Main area is a used by many wedding party's for photos. The day we were there for the Clydesdales visit, we saw wedding groups being photographed in front of the gazebo, by both railroad caboose's and the ramp to the deport.
On the north end of Old Main is the Foundry Art Center which brings together a diverse community, visual arts, performing arts, and artists by providing exhibitions, studio space, and educational programs. This building was once part of the American Car And Foundry complex.
American Car And Foundry was a builder of railroad rolling stock. Today American Car and Foundry is known as American Railcar Industries, Inc and is based in St. Charles.
This 1926 -vintage 6 -axle heavyweight Pullman observation car belonged to Ross Rowland's High Iron Company (formerly Penn Central/New York Central business car #7) and usually went by the name "Brothers Two" (#200). In 1973, to promote the idea of an "American Freedom Train", this car was painted white with a blue roof and a wide red stripe across the window area - and was the first car ever lettered"American Freedom Train"- just under the roof line - and "Splendid Spirit' just below the windows. It retained its number- 200 - and appeared on High Iron Co, Excursions in 1973. On December 7, 1985 the Independence carried then President HW Bush to the Army-Navy Football Game. The Splendid Spirit is now with American Railcar Industries (successor to ACF) at ARI's St Charles, MO plant, still painted Tuuscan res and bearing the name "Independence".
Just south of Frontier Park on the riverfront is the Lewis and Clark Boathouse and Nature Center.
This Center houses the keel boat that was recreated to be used in a 2004 "Discovery Expedition", a recreation of the original Lewis & Clark Expedition. In the museum there are many photos and stories of this "Discovery Expedition".On the north end of parking lot of the boathouse is a Veterans Memorial.
The trolley near the Veterans Memorial.
Just south of the Boathouse is the Ameristar Casino.
