Louisiana Missouri, a Historic Drive

Just 90 miles north of St. Louis, and 30 miles south of Hannibal is Louisiana, Missouri. This town of around 3,330 is filled with art and history, my husband and I traveled to this fun River town. My brother-in-law Kim and his wife Terri came along for the ride, architecture and to see information on this town where the 13th Amendment came to light.

Before crossing out of Illinois, we drove through Pittsfield. We checked out some of the historic sites along the way stopping to hear a bit of the historic home tour information. It was at the Shastid house where we shared the story with Kim and Terri about the young boy calling Abraham Lincoln a hog because he ate the last pigeon leg during a dinner.

Fat Boys for lunch

Right before crossing into Missouri, we decided to stop for lunch. We stopped at the marina and headed into Fat Boys. Kim and Terri both went for the pork nachos since they were profiling BBQ. I tried a great burger and sweet Potatoe fries. Good food and service made this a great dining experience along with a nice view of the Mississippi River as well.

A bit of help!

From the marina, we drove on into the lovely historic downtown, which is filled with architectural wonders. We drove around town to see the variety of homes and buildings. Louisiana is along Route 79 and is part of a 50-mile art corridor. The town has over 20 murals.

Trying to learn where to go and what to see, we stopped in Louisiana Flowers & Gifts. Charles and Barb Deacon to the rescue!

They told us the best places to go to see the views in town, and how to navigate to the historic sites. They even called upon real estate agent Viki Cadwallader, who selflessly brought us a variety of brochures!

History of Louisiana, Missouri

I found this beautiful town was founded in 1816 by John Walter Basye and named after his daughter, Louisiana.

One of the first residents of Louisiana was James Stark. He came to the area in 1816. He established a fruit tree business Stark Brothers Nursery that is still here today. We saw the barn that has the bear on the side among the fruit trees that are currently bare. The Deacons shared with us that Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards established the Red Delicious and Golden Delicious apples that we enjoy today!

The Stark family had a Governor in the family, At the Riverview Cemetery, his grave and his wives’ graves are on display.

Called the Port of Louisiana, it was once one of the major ports along the Mississippi River. Looking at the beautiful murals, you can even see one of a steamboat depicting a bit of the town’s river history. Louisiana was a gateway to many traveling west. In the City of Louisiana Walking Tour brochure in the history section, they share, “The Chicago and Alton Railroad bridge built in 1873 and still in use today is the 3rd oldest railroad bridge crossing the Mississippi.”

They share that this broke the steamship monopoly! Divided politically during the Civil War, one house was home to a Union Garrison while another is said to have sheltered Morgan’s Raiders. The Raiders, who were from Kentucky, took the side of the Confederates. Kentucky was considered neutral territory during the war.

Another interesting historical aspect of Louisiana is that during WWII, there was a POW camp that housed German and Italian soldiers.

13th Amendment

One of the places we went to see history was the Overlooks at the River Front. Here there is the amazing statue of one of the drafters of the 13th amendment.

John Brooks Henderson was born in Virginia but moved to Louisiana at the age of six. The plaque states. “By age 10, he was an orphan. Henderson overcame what could have been a life of obscurity to be a Pike County teacher, lawyer, and state legislator… During the early part of the Civil War, he served as a brigadier general in Missouri’s Union militia. In 1862, he was appointed a U.S. Senator… Though, a one -time slave owner himself, Henderson in 1864, drafted and introduced the 13th Amendment to the Constitution outlawing human bondage.”

He also supported women’s voting rights and better relations with Native Americans. The Confederate States of America claims Missouri as a state, although Missouri officially remains a part of the Union. Thanks to John Alexander of Books on the Square in Virden, Illinois, I also learned that Lyman Trumbell, judge, lawyer and US Illinois Senator from Alton, Illinois, was also a co-author of the amendment.

Historic Downtown Louisiana Missouri & a bit of art!

The Deacons flower shop is a bit special. It is a Mesker Building. On the Louisiana website, they explain “Mesker,” one of the prefabricated sheet metal facades or cast-iron components that graced many a Midwestern Main Street in the late 1800s and early 1900s.”

Louisiana ranks 6th in the country for the largest amount of existing Mesker buildings.

It was three Mesker brothers who owned two competing companies, the Mesker Brothers Iron Works of St. Louis and George L. Mesker & Co. of Evansville, Indiana. A store owner could order the outside facade, then it was used on the outside. The website continues, “… In addition to ornate full front facades, some so detailed they looked like stone, the Mesker brothers sold tin ceilings, window hoods, iron fences and freight elevators from about 1880 to 1910.” “

On Main Street several early buildings can be viewed on a walking tour that were built from the early 1800’s, to early 1900’s. It is interesting to view the different styles and architecture. Over 15 buildings in the downtown area are on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Louisiana Riverfront Park has the statue of John B. Henderson. You can also see for almost 20 miles along the river into Illinois. Looking back over the town also provides an amazing view.

Riverview Cemetery the Deacons shared the cemetery allows the best view of the Mississippi. The historic cemetery has over 14,000 graves including that of Governor Stark.

Henry Lay Center

Our last stop of the day was just outside of town, St. Louis University Henry Lay Center, we went to view the sculpture park. The park takes up 20 acres of the approximately 350 acres of the Lay Center for Education and the Arts. While part of the grounds is a retreat for academic work, the rest is available to the public for walking and viewing!

Along with the sculptures, there is also a cemetery with the original family that owned this farm. James McElwee, a Revolutionary War hero, and his wife, Rhoda Black, first settled this farm property in 1832. McElwee and his 12 grandchildren are buried on the property in the McElwee-Stewart-Carr Cemetery.

The town of Louisiana is a quiet town that has seen a lot of history. There is a museum open from Memorial Day through Colorfest in late October that looks like it would be great to tour. If you are looking for a walk-through history, art and architecture this is your stop.