All About Ste Genevieve Missouri

On the western banks of Mississippi, near the center of the vast American land, there is one special little city with an incredible historical heritage that carries the name of a very important European patron saint: Ste. Genevieve, MO.

Ste. Genevieve rich history

This town is the first European settlement established permanently in the west part of the Mississippi, founded as far back as the 18th century, in 1740. French Canadian people were the first to discover this place and form a settlement in the Mississippi Valley, alongside Fort de Chartres (Illinois) and Kaskaskia (the initial capital of Illinois). The settlers named the territory after the patron saint of Paris, Saint Genevieve, which shows the importance of the city for the French Canadian at that time. Sainte Genevieve is known in the Roman-Catholic church to have saved Paris from the invasion of Huns back in year 451.

During the French-Indian War, with the British victory, France secretly gave up all the western area of the Mississippi Valley in favor of Spain. Ste. Genevieve remained under Spanish control for more than four decades but kept its French cultural heritage. In the 1770s, Native American tribes consistently raided the settlement, from Peoria tribes, Shawnee and most importantly the Big Osage. These are the people that remained there and have had an impact on its history. Finally, in 1803 Ste. Genevieve was bought by the United States in what is called “La Vente de Louisiane” or Louisiana Purchase.

Ste. Genevieve, MO Area and population

With all this rich history leaving its marks, Ste. Genevieve is now the home of approximately 4400 inhabitants, according to the United States Census Bureau. 91% of the locals are Caucasian, 6.78% are Native Hawaiians, 1.6% are mixed races, 0.9% are American Indians and 0.7% are of Hispanic or Latino origin. In terms of marital status, 66% of them are currently married, and the median age is 40.8. Over 90% speak English, while 7% use other languages. One interesting fact concerning the Ste. Genevieve, Mo demographics is that the population density is nearly 1150% higher than the entire state of Missouri.

According to the US Census Bureau, the total area is made up of about 4.11 square miles, that is 10.64 square kilometers. Ste. Genevieve, Mo is located 45 miles away from St. Louis.

Architecture and culture in Ste Genevieve, Missouri

Some of the oldest buildings in Ste. Genevieve were built while under the Spanish command and are clear proof of the French colonies architectural rules. The famous “poteaux en terre” and poteaux-sur-sol” (meaning posts in the ground) were the typical constructions in Ste. Genevieve. These vertical structures made of wood were either dug into the ground or placed on a stone or wood foundation above the ground. One good example of such buildings is the eighteenth-century Louis Bolduc's house that was transformed into a museum and designated a National Historical Landmark.

On a cultural level, Ste. Genevieve remains strongly connected with the French heritage. It is one of the two towns in the entire United States that still celebrate the Guiannee, a French medieval tradition held on New Year's Eve. Also, Ste. Genevieve, Mo is home to the annual French festival Jour de Fete.

Another great sign of the French culture in Ste. Genevieve is represented by the wineries that are present nearby. There is a number of vineyards that are a touristic point of attraction, with cave vineyards, micro breweries, wineries such as the Sainte Genevieve Winery, Cave Vineyard, Twin Oaks Vineyard & Winery and others.
Other top tourist attractions in Ste. Genevieve are: Magnolia Hollow Conservation, Pickle Springs Natural Area, Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center, Bolduc House Museum, Sainte Genevieve Catholic Parish or the Felix Valle House.