German Immigration ~ St. Charles, MO
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 38° 46.914 W 090° 28.965
15S E 718655 N 4295583
Gottfried Duden described the area as similar to the Rhineland.
Waymark Code: WM59VQ
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 12/03/2008
Views: 9
Plaque Erected by; The City of St. Charles.
Date Plaque Erected: September 25, 2003.
Location of Plaque: 2nd St. & Jefferson St., Borromeo Statue, St. Charles.
Plaque Text:
GERMAN INFLUENCE
German immigrants came to St. Charles County in large numbers beginning in the 1830s. Many had learned of the area from Gottfried Duden, who wrote a book describing the area as similar to the Rhineland. Placing great value on industriousness and hard work, these early German settlers brought tried and tested knowledge of farming methods with them. They eventually acquired much of the land throughout St. Charles County for agricultural purposes. Duden incorrectly forecast that "the city of St. Charles is too close to St. Louis which will interfere with its development." St. Charles was subsequently described by historians as "an almost ideal Americanization of cultures."
Origin of St. Charles also at the Statue:
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ORIGIN OF ST. CHARLES
The community of St. Charles is the oldest settlement in northern Missouri and the third oldest settlement in the state. The city and county of St. Charles take their name from St. Charles Borromeo, who served as Archbishop of Milan, Italy during the 16th century. On November 7, 1791, the people of the original village, Les Petites Côtes (The Little Hills), dedicated their new church. The name San Carlos Borromeo was given to the church in recognition of the patron saint of the reigning Spanish King, Charles IV. On the same day, the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Louisiana officially changed the name of the village to San Carlos del Misury. The name was anglicized to St. Charles after the Louisiana Purchase. The county was organized on October 1, 1812, and also given the name of St. Charles.
SAN CARLOS BORROMEO
1538 - 1584
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San Carlos Borromeo, born in 1538, was known as a patron of learning and the arts. Named a Cardinal at the age of 22, he was loved as a benevolent churchman who founded many academies and hospitals. He had a deep compassion for the poor, and gave everything he possessed to those in need, even his bed. He fought against corrupt practices of the day, and survived an assassination. He died in 1584, weakened by the plague in his care of the sick. He was canonized in 1610.