First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site in St. Charles, MO
This historic site is located in the city of St. Charles, Missouri, and is associated with the St. Charles Historic District in the Riverfront neighborhood of St. Charles. The site is a state-owned property and preserves the building that was Missouri’s capital between 1821 and 1826. In 1960, the state acquired the site in 1960 and, in 1969, it added it to the National Register of Historic Places. The First Missouri State Capitol Buildings comprises 4 connected brick buildings, which are one-room deep with stone foundations and gabled roofs. The building’s first floor was used as residence and store whereas the second floor was the state government offices, both of which are still preserved to-date.
History and Structure
Located within a stone’s throw away from the Katy Trail State Park and Missouri, and at the center of historic St. Charles, the site is the first seat of the state government. Interpretive programs help visitors to gain an in-depth understanding of how the Missouri state government was founded and how life was like at the beginning of the 1800s. The state historic site building housed Missouri’s initial state government before Jefferson City was made the capital. Some of the sections that have been restored include a residence, the governor’s office, governmental chambers, and a dry goods store. Visitors can also enjoy tours and exhibits and the visitor center is free. However, note that free tours of the First State Capitol highlight the day and demonstrations of historic crafts occur throughout the day. Moreover, the last tour begins at 3 PM. Tour schedules and fees are available on their website. You can get in touch with the administrative offices for more information. Click here to learn about Blanchette Park.
Hosting Legislators
Missouri’s first legislators, including frontiersmen, met in the First Missouri State Capitol buildings to reorganize Missouri’s territorial government. Prior to the state of Missouri being granted statehood in August 1821, several different locations in St. Louis had been used as the seat of government, particularly territorial affairs. With the improvement of statehood, the search for a site that would become the seat of government began. The state chose an underdeveloped piece of land at the heart of the state adjacent to the Missouri River to become “The City of Jefferson,” which came to be known as Missouri’s permanent capital.
It was not until the new Capital was built that the first legislators of the state needed a place to hold their meetings. Nine cities competed to host the temporary seat of the government for Missouri. St. Charles was one of those cities. Located on the Missouri River, it was continuously growing as a center for trade and had easy access to some of the fastest-growing areas in Missouri. St. Charles residents promised to furnish meeting space for the state’s legislators if the city was selected as the temporary capital. On November 25, 1820, Governor Alexander McNair subsequently signed a bill that made St. Charles Missouri’s first capital. Missouri’s first legislators held their first meeting in St. Charles on June 4, 1821, where they debated on several issues, including slavery and state’s rights.
Therefore, this historic site has been around for about two centuries and has undergone a series of transformations to become what it is today. The state-owned property served as Missouri’s capital since its founding and has been preserved to date. It is remembered as one of the first buildings that legislators used to hold meetings and debate on some of the state’s issues.
Driving directions from our office to First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site
Head southwest on Scherer Pkwy toward Ford Ln
Turn right onto MO-94 E/S 1st Capitol Dr
Turn right onto 1st Capitol Dr/First Capitol Dr
Turn left onto S Main St
The destination will be on the right
