Soulard Farmer's Market - St. Louis, Missouri
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 38° 36.603 W 090° 12.009
15S E 743790 N 4277223
Dating to 1838, the Soulard Farmer's Market is the oldest market west of the Mississippi River. The market is located in the Soulard area of south St. Louis.
Waymark Code: WM1GHN
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 05/05/2007
Views: 112
The last surviving public market in St. Louis, Soulard Farmer's Market is
named for Julia Cerre Soulard, who donated the land specifically for use as a
marketplace in 1838. The first structure was built on the site in 1843 by a
private joint venture of farmers/vendors, who sold shares to build a one-story
red brick building on the eastern of the two half blocks. During the Civil War
years the local military commander declared martial law throughout the city. The
grounds of Soulard Market were pressed into duty as a military encampment of
pro-Union guards, charged with enforcing martial law. Since then the market has
had a long and varied history, through tornado damage, urban beautification
during the "City Beautiful" movement of 1909-11, the construction of a new
building in 1928-29, the threat of demolition for new development, decline into
slum conditions, and comeback beginning in the 1970s. ~
Library of Congress, Local Legacy Website
Even though the sign indicates that the market started in 1779, there is no
historical proof of this date. The market is owned by the City of St
Louis.