History of St. Louis in Timeline
St. Louis, an independent city in Missouri, sits near the junction of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. With a population exceeding 300,000 in 2020, it forms the heart of a bi-state metropolitan area, encompassing parts of Illinois, with over 2.8 million residents. This makes it Missouri's biggest metro area and Illinois' second largest. Nationally, St. Louis's Combined Statistical Area ranks as the 20th largest.
1900: Streetcar Strike
A strike brought the entire streetcar system of St. Louis to a halt for several months in 1900, resulting in significant unrest and violence against the striking workers.
1900: Rise of Automakers
Between 1900 and 1929, St. Louis was home to approximately 220 automakers, representing nearly 10% of all car manufacturers in America. Around half of these companies exclusively produced cars in St. Louis.
1900: St. Louis ranks fourth in population in the U.S.
By the 1900 census, St. Louis was the fourth largest city in the United States. This milestone highlighted the city's rapid growth and importance at the turn of the century.
1900: Construction of Second Presbyterian Church of St. Louis
In 1900, the Second Presbyterian Church of St. Louis was constructed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. This church became a significant example of the architectural diversity in religious buildings in the city.
1902: St. Louis Browns Join American League
In 1902, the St. Louis Browns joined the American League and played in St. Louis until 1953 before moving to Baltimore.
1904: St. Louis hosts the Louisiana Purchase Exposition
In 1904, St. Louis hosted the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, a world's fair held at Forest Park. This event left a lasting architectural legacy, including the St. Louis Art Museum and improvements to Forest Park.
1904: World's Fair Legacy
In 1904, St. Louis hosted the World's Fair, officially known as the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. The event left a lasting legacy on the city with permanent facilities and structures still standing in Forest Park.
1904: Construction of the Strassberger Music Conservatory Building
The Strassberger Music Conservatory Building was constructed at 2300 Grand in 1904, the same year as the World's Fair, and later became a recognized historical landmark.
1906: St. Louis Giants Formation
In 1906, the St. Louis Giants, later known as the St. Louis Stars, were formed and played in the Negro league baseball.
1907: Construction of Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis begins
In 1907, construction began on the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, designed by Thomas P. Barnett in the Neo-Byzantine style. This marked the start of building one of the most ornate religious structures in the city, featuring one of the largest mosaic collections in the world.
1908: Completion of St. Francis de Sales Oratory
The construction of St. Francis de Sales Oratory, a neo-Gothic church in South St. Louis, was finished in 1908. It became the second largest church in the city.
1911: Growth of the Strassberger Music Conservatory
By 1911, the Strassberger Music Conservatory saw substantial growth, reaching over 1,100 students in enrollment.
1914: Completion of Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
In 1914, the construction of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis was completed. Designed by Thomas P. Barnett in the Neo-Byzantine style, it became one of the most ornate religious buildings in the city, featuring a vast collection of mosaics.
1916: Residential Segregation Ordinance
During the Jim Crow Era, specifically in 1916, St. Louis enacted a residential segregation ordinance. This ordinance stipulated that if 75% of residents in a neighborhood belonged to a particular race, individuals from other races were prohibited from moving in.
1920: Population Decline
By 1920, St. Louis experienced a population decline, marking the end of its reign as the fourth-largest city in the country, a status held from 1870.
1920: Opening of the St. Louis Truck Assembly Plant
General Motors began manufacturing GMC automobiles at the St. Louis Truck Assembly plant in 1920.
1920: St. Louis Giants Join Negro League
In 1920, the St. Louis Giants, who would later become the St. Louis Stars, joined the Negro league baseball.
1921: St. Louis Giants Renamed to St. Louis Stars
In 1921, the St. Louis Giants were renamed to the St. Louis Stars, continuing their participation in Negro league baseball.
1923: St. Louis All-Stars NFL Team
In 1923, the St. Louis All-Stars played their only season in the NFL.
1926: Founding of Douglass University
B. F. Bowles founded Douglass University, a historically black university, in St. Louis in 1926, during a time when no other college in St. Louis County accepted black students.
1928: St. Louis Stars Win First Championship
In 1928, the St. Louis Stars won their first championship in the Negro league baseball.
1928: Shift in St. Louis Presidential Voting Patterns
Prior to 1928, St. Louis predominantly voted Republican in presidential elections. However, the city has since become a Democratic stronghold.
1929: Decline of Automakers
By 1929, the number of automakers in St. Louis had significantly declined, indicating a shift in the industry.
1930: St. Louis Stars Win Second Championship
In 1930, the St. Louis Stars won their second championship in the Negro league baseball.
1931: St. Louis Stars Win Championship
In 1931, the St. Louis Stars won their third championship in the Negro league baseball.
1934: St. Louis Eagles Play in NHL
In 1934, the St. Louis Eagles played their only season in the NHL before the team was dissolved.
1934: St. Louis Gunners NFL Team
In 1934, the St. Louis Gunners played their only season in the NFL.
April 1940: Soft Coal Ban
In response to severe air pollution, St. Louis banned the use of soft coal from nearby states in April 1940, implementing inspections to ensure only anthracite was burned.
1944: All-St. Louis World Series
In 1944, the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Browns faced each other in an all-St. Louis World Series, with the Cardinals winning in six games.
1946: Air Pollution Reduction
By 1946, St. Louis successfully reduced air pollution by approximately 75% due to the ban on soft coal and other environmental initiatives.
1946: St. Louis Bombers Formation
In 1946, the St. Louis Bombers were formed and played in the Basketball Association of America.
1948: Racial Covenants Ruled Unconstitutional
Following the overturning of the residential segregation ordinance, racial covenants were employed to restrict the sale of houses in specific St. Louis neighborhoods to "persons not of Caucasian race." These covenants were challenged in court and ultimately deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1948 case of Shelley v. Kraemer.
1949: St. Louis Bombers Join NBA
In 1949, the St. Louis Bombers joined the NBA.
1949: Last Republican Mayor of St. Louis
The last time a Republican served as mayor of St. Louis was in 1949.
1950: Population peak and subsequent decline
In 1950, St. Louis reached its peak population according to the United States census. Since then, the city's population has been in decline, losing about 64% due to factors such as suburbanization and white flight.
1950: Peak population recorded
In 1950, St. Louis reached its peak population, with the Census Bureau reporting that 82% of the population was White and 17.9% was African American. This milestone occurred before suburbanization and white flight led to a population decline.
1950: St. Louis Bombers Dissolve
In 1950, the St. Louis Bombers dissolved, ending their participation in the NBA.
1953: Last Republican Representation of St. Louis in U.S. House
A Republican has not represented a significant portion of St. Louis in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1953.
1953: St. Louis Browns Move to Baltimore
In 1953, the St. Louis Browns moved to Baltimore, Maryland, becoming the current incarnation of the Orioles.
1955: St. Louis Hawks Play at Kiel Auditorium
In 1955, the St. Louis Hawks began playing at Kiel Auditorium, where they remained until 1968.
1957: St. Louis Hawks in NBA Finals
In 1957, the St. Louis Hawks played in the NBA Finals.
1958: St. Louis Hawks Win NBA Championship
In 1958, the St. Louis Hawks won the NBA championship, a significant achievement in the city's basketball history.
1960: Bosnian families settle in St. Louis
Around 1960, about fifteen Bosnian families settled in St. Louis, marking the beginning of an influx of Bosnian immigrants to the city.
1960: St. Louis Cardinals NFL Team
In 1960, the St. Louis Cardinals began playing in the NFL, remaining in St. Louis until 1987.
1960: St. Louis Hawks in NBA Finals
In 1960, the St. Louis Hawks played in the NBA Finals.
1961: St. Louis Hawks in NBA Finals
In 1961, the St. Louis Hawks played in the NBA Finals.
1962: Completion and Recognition of St. Louis Abbey
The St. Louis Abbey, known for its distinctive architecture, was completed in 1962 and received multiple awards for its design.
1964: Civil Rights Activism at Gateway Arch
Civil rights activists staged protests at the Gateway Arch construction site in 1964 to highlight their efforts to secure access for African Americans into skilled trade unions, where they faced underrepresentation. This action led to the Department of Justice filing the first lawsuit against these unions under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
1964: St. Louis Cardinals Win Playoff Bowl
In 1964, the St. Louis Cardinals won the Playoff Bowl for third place against the Green Bay Packers with a score of 24–17.
October 28, 1965: Completion of Gateway Arch
On October 28, 1965, the 630-foot-tall Gateway Arch, designed by architect Eero Saarinen, was completed in St. Louis. It became the centerpiece of the historic Gateway Arch National Park.
1965: Gateway Arch Bridge Construction
The construction of the Gateway Arch Bridge in 1965 replaced the Eads Bridge as the primary symbolic image of St. Louis.
November 1967: KSHE Begins Broadcasting
KSHE 95 FM, known as "Real Rock Radio," began broadcasting rock music in November 1967, making it the longest-running rock station in the United States.
1967: St. Louis Blues Join NHL
In 1967, the St. Louis Blues were one of the six teams added to the NHL during the expansion. They reached the Stanley Cup finals in their first three years.
1968: St. Louis Hawks Move to Atlanta
In 1968, the St. Louis Hawks moved to Atlanta, ending their tenure in St. Louis.
1970: Bosnian families settle in St. Louis
By 1970, additional Bosnian families had settled in St. Louis, contributing to the growing Bosnian community in the city.
1974: Spirits of St. Louis Formation
In 1974, the Spirits of St. Louis were formed and played in the American Basketball Association.
1974: St. Louis Cardinals NFL Playoffs
In 1974, the St. Louis Cardinals advanced to the NFL playoffs.
1975: St. Louis Cardinals NFL Playoffs
In 1975, the St. Louis Cardinals advanced to the NFL playoffs.
1976: Construction of One US Bank Plaza
In 1976, One US Bank Plaza was constructed in St. Louis. The building, designed in the structural expressionist style, served as the local headquarters for US Bancorp.
1976: Spirits of St. Louis Dissolve
In 1976, the Spirits of St. Louis dissolved when the ABA and NBA merged.
1982: St. Louis Cardinals NFL Playoffs
In 1982, the St. Louis Cardinals advanced to the NFL playoffs.
1982: Twain Sculpture Installation
The Richard Serra sculpture "Twain" was installed in the Serra Sculpture Park in downtown St. Louis in 1982.
1982: Merger of Missouri Pacific Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad
The St. Louis-based Missouri Pacific Railroad merged with the Omaha, Nebraska-based Union Pacific Railroad in 1982.
1986: Construction of the former AT&T building
In 1986, the former AT&T building at 909 Chestnut Street was constructed in St. Louis. This marked the addition of a notable postmodern commercial skyscraper to the city's downtown.
1987: Closure of the St. Louis Truck Assembly Plant
General Motors closed the St. Louis Truck Assembly plant in 1987 after 67 years of operation.
1987: St. Louis Cardinals Move to Phoenix
In 1987, the St. Louis Cardinals moved to Phoenix, Arizona, ending their tenure in St. Louis.
1988: George H.W. Bush's Presidential Election Performance in St. Louis
George H.W. Bush was the most recent Republican presidential candidate to win even a quarter of the votes in St. Louis in the 1988 presidential election.
1988: St. Louis Cardinals Move to Phoenix
In 1988, the St. Louis Cardinals moved to Phoenix, becoming the Arizona Cardinals.
1989: Construction of One Metropolitan Square
In 1989, One Metropolitan Square was constructed in St. Louis. As the tallest building in the city, it became an iconic part of the downtown skyline.
1992: Bosnian refugees arrive after Bosnian War begins
In 1992, after the Bosnian War started, more Bosnian refugees began arriving in St. Louis. By 2000, tens of thousands of Bosnian refugees had settled in the city, significantly shaping its cultural and social landscape.
1993: Great Flood of 1993
In 1993, St. Louis experienced severe flooding during the Great Flood of 1993. The flood caused significant damage, particularly in the lower section of the River des Peres.
1993: MetroLink Integration
In 1993, the St. Louis MetroLink light rail system was integrated into the Eads Bridge's rail deck.
1993: Great Flood of 1993 impacts River des Peres
In 1993, the lower section of the River des Peres in St. Louis experienced severe flooding as part of the Great Flood of 1993. This event caused significant damage in the area.
1993: Peak of Index Crime Rates
St. Louis reached its peak index crime rate in 1993, recording 16,648 index crimes per 100,000 residents.
1995: St. Louis Rams Begin Play
In 1995, the St. Louis Rams began playing at the Edward Jones Dome.
2000: Bosnian refugees in St. Louis
By 2000, tens of thousands of Bosnian refugees had settled in St. Louis, integrating well into the community and establishing businesses and cultural organizations.
2000: Charter Schools in St. Louis
Charter schools began operating in St. Louis in 2000, authorized by Missouri state law. These schools, sponsored by local organizations, serve students from kindergarten through high school.
2000: Income statistics for St. Louis
In 2000, income statistics for St. Louis showed that the median household income was $29,156, and the median family income was $32,585. Males had a median income of $31,106, while females earned $26,987, with a per capita income of $18,108.
2000: St. Louis Rams Win Super Bowl XXXIV
In 2000, the St. Louis Rams won Super Bowl XXXIV, marking a significant achievement in the city's sports history.
2000: Construction of Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse
In 2000, the Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse was constructed in St. Louis. It became the largest U.S. courthouse by area and houses the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
April 17, 2001: Francis Slay Becomes Mayor
Francis Slay began his first term as mayor of St. Louis on April 17, 2001. He would go on to serve for 16 years, the longest term of any mayor in the city's history.
2003: Washington University School of Medicine Ranking
The Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis was ranked among the top 10 medical schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report in 2003, reaching as high as second place.
2004: Washington University School of Medicine Ranking
In 2004, the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis achieved a top 10 ranking, including a second-place position, from U.S. News & World Report.
2005: Start of Decline in Violent Crime Rates
Between 2005 and 2014, St. Louis observed a 20% decrease in violent crime rates, although they remained significantly higher than the national average.
2007: Leading Industries and Employment Sectors
In 2007, manufacturing led the city's industries with nearly $11 billion in business, followed by healthcare, professional services, and retail. The healthcare sector was the largest employer, with manufacturing, administrative, and food service sectors also providing significant employment.
2008: Registered Voters in St. Louis
257,442 registered voters resided in the city of St. Louis in 2008.
2008: Closure of Concourse D at St. Louis Lambert International Airport
Concourse D at St. Louis Lambert International Airport was closed in 2008. Before its closure, it was possible to walk between the airport's two terminals.
2009: Opera Theatre of St. Louis Presents 'The Ghosts of Versailles'
In 2009, Opera Theatre of St. Louis presented a smaller-scale version of John Corigliano's 'The Ghosts of Versailles'. This production continued the company's tradition of innovative work.
2010: Language spoken at home
As of 2010, 91.05% of St. Louis residents aged 5 and older spoke English at home. Other languages spoken included Spanish, Serbo-Croatian, Vietnamese, African languages, Chinese, and French, reflecting the city's diverse linguistic landscape.
2010: Forest Park Southeast Population Growth (Start)
Between 2010 and 2020, the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood witnessed a 19% population increase.
2010: End of KFUO-FM
In 2010, St. Louis saw the end of KFUO-FM, one of the oldest classical music FM radio stations west of the Mississippi River. The station had been a significant part of the city's music and performing arts scene.
2010: High rates of online donations and volunteerism
In 2010, St. Louis was noted for having some of the highest per-capita rates of online charitable donations and volunteerism among major U.S. cities.
2010: 2010 United States census data
In 2010, the United States census reported that St. Louis had 319,294 residents living in 142,057 households. The census data also provided detailed demographic information about age distribution and family households.
2010: Registered Voters in St. Louis
There were 239,247 registered voters in the city of St. Louis in 2010.
2011: St. Louis Cardinals Win World Series
In 2011, the St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series, adding to their record as one of the most successful franchises in Major League Baseball.
2011: World Chess Hall of Fame Moves to St. Louis
In 2011, the World Chess Hall of Fame was moved to St. Louis by Rex Sinquefield, who also founded the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis.
2011: Washington Avenue Recognition
The American Planning Association recognized Washington Avenue in St. Louis as one of 10 Great Streets in 2011 due to its transformation from an old garment district into a vibrant area with lofts and businesses.
2012: Registered Voters in St. Louis
In 2012, there were 238,253 registered voters living in the city of St. Louis.
2012: Port of St. Louis Fire and Rescue Craft Addition
The Port Authority of St. Louis added a new small fire and rescue craft to its fleet in 2012.
2013: Boeing's Job Relocation and Tech Hub Potential
Boeing announced the relocation of approximately 600 jobs from Seattle to a new IT center in St. Louis in 2013. During this time, the city showed potential as a growing tech hub, attracting startups and initiatives like LaunchCode, LockerDome, and Arch Grants.
2013: Forest Park Southeast Investment
From 2013 to 2018, the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood in St. Louis's central corridor saw significant investment, with over $50 million dedicated to residential construction.
2013: Sinquefield Cup Tournament Begins
In 2013, the Sinquefield Cup Tournament started in St. Louis, becoming a significant event in the chess world.
2013: Sale of Furniture Brands International Assets
Most assets of Furniture Brands International were sold to Heritage Home Group in 2013, leading to the company's relocation to North Carolina.
2013: St. Louis Ranked High in Generosity
St. Louis earned recognition as one of the most generous cities in the United States in 2013, ranking ninth in the country.
2013: St. Louis Fiscal Year Budget
The City of St. Louis fiscal year budget in 2013 was $985.2 million.
2013: Port of St. Louis Fire and Rescue Craft Addition
The Port Authority of St. Louis added a new small fire and rescue craft to its fleet in 2013.
2013: St. Louis Beacon Merges with KWMU
The online newspaper, the St. Louis Beacon, merged with KWMU, a local NPR affiliate, in 2013.
2014: St. Louis Fiscal Year Budget
In 2014, the City of St. Louis had a fiscal year budget of over $1 billion for the first time, a 1.9% increase over the previous year.
2014: Opera Theatre of St. Louis Performs 'The Death of Klinghoffer'
In 2014, the Opera Theatre of St. Louis performed John Adams's 'The Death of Klinghoffer'. Unlike its controversial reception at the Metropolitan Opera, the St. Louis production was well-received due to extensive community engagement.
2014: Highest-Rated Chess Tournament
In 2014, the Sinquefield Cup held in St. Louis was the highest-rated chess tournament of all time.
2014: Decline in Index Crime Rates
St. Louis's index crime rates, which include violent and property crimes, declined to 7,931 per 100,000 people in 2014.
2015: Democratic Aldermen in St. Louis
As of 2015, all 28 aldermen in the city of St. Louis were Democrats.
2015: Saint Louis FC Begins Play
In 2015, USL Championship's Saint Louis FC began playing at World Wide Technology Soccer Park.
2015: Golden State Warriors Break Maroons' Record
In 2015, the Golden State Warriors broke the St. Louis Maroons' record of the longest winning streak to start a season in major professional sports in the United States, previously set in 1884.
2015: St. Louis Rams Last Season
In 2015, the St. Louis Rams played their final season in St. Louis before moving back to Los Angeles.
2015: Rise in Index Crime Rates and High Homicide Rates
St. Louis experienced 188 homicides in 2015, with a rate of 59.3 homicides per 100,000 residents. The index crime rate rose to 8,204 in 2015, reversing the declining trend from previous years.
October 2016: Racial and Gender Disparities in Homicide Suspects
As of October 2016, statistics on homicide suspects in St. Louis showed a disproportionate number of Black suspects compared to other races.
2016: St. Louis Lambert International Airport Statistics
In 2016, St. Louis Lambert International Airport served over 15 million passengers and had more than 255 daily departures to about 90 domestic and international locations.
2016: St. Louis Rams Move to Los Angeles
In 2016, the St. Louis Rams moved back to Los Angeles, ending their stint in St. Louis.
2016: Rams Relocate to Los Angeles
The St. Louis Rams of the National Football League made a controversial move back to Los Angeles in 2016.
April 2017: High Murder Rates and Crime Statistics
By April 2017, St. Louis had one of the highest murder rates per capita in the US. Despite ranking high in crime rates compared to other cities, St. Louis saw a decline in index crime rates since its peak in 1993.
April 18, 2017: Francis Slay Leaves Office
Francis Slay left office as the longest-serving mayor of St. Louis on April 18, 2017, after 16 years in the position.
2017: City Sues NFL
Following the Rams' relocation, the city of St. Louis filed a lawsuit against the NFL in 2017, claiming the league violated its relocation guidelines for financial gain at the city's expense.
2018: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Renamed
In 2018, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis was renamed to Gateway Arch National Park, reflecting its iconic status.
2018: Population Comparison: City vs. Metro Area
In 2018, the St. Louis metro area had an estimated 3 million residents, while the city itself had about 300,000 residents. This difference highlights the limited annexation of suburban areas by the city.
2018: Forest Park Southeast Investment (Continued)
The Forest Park Southeast neighborhood continued to experience investment beyond 2013, reaching over $50 million in residential construction by 2018.
2019: St. Louis Blues Win Stanley Cup
In 2019, the St. Louis Blues won the Stanley Cup championship, making St. Louis the eighth North American city to have won titles in all four major leagues (MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL).
2020: Forest Park Southeast Population Growth (End)
By 2020, the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood's population had grown by 19% since 2010.
2020: Saint Louis FC Ends Play
In 2020, Saint Louis FC ceased operations, ending their participation in the USL Championship.
2020: St. Louis BattleHawks Begin Play
In 2020, the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL began play, using The Dome at America's Center as their home field.
2020: Population Count
In 2020, the population of St. Louis was recorded as 301,578, while the encompassing bi-state metropolitan area, reaching into Illinois, held an estimated population exceeding 2.8 million.
April 2021: Top Employers in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area
The St. Louis Business Journal released a list of the top employers in the St. Louis metropolitan area on April 2021.
April 20, 2021: Tishaura Jones Becomes Mayor
Tishaura Jones was sworn in as the first African-American woman mayor of St. Louis on April 20, 2021.
2021: GDP Per Capita Increase
The GDP per capita in Greater St. Louis reached $68,574 in 2021, reflecting a 10% rise from the previous year.
2021: NFL Settlement
The NFL and Rams owner Stan Kroenke reached an out-of-court settlement with the city of St. Louis for $790 million in 2021, resolving the lawsuit regarding the Rams' relocation.
2022: Fortune 500 Companies in St. Louis
As of 2022, the St. Louis Metropolitan Area housed seven Fortune 500 companies: Centene, Emerson Electric, Reinsurance Group of America, Edward Jones, Olin, Graybar Electric, and Ameren.
2022: St. Louis City SC 2 Begins Play
In 2022, St. Louis City SC 2, the MLS Next Pro affiliate of St. Louis City SC, began play at CityPark.
2022: Top Employers in the City of St. Louis
St. Louis's 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (released on June 30) provided data on the city's top employers, who employed a significant portion (18.74%) of the city's workforce.
2022: Economic Performance
The Greater St. Louis area achieved a GDP of $209.9 billion in 2022.
2022: Gross Domestic Product Growth
The Greater St. Louis area's gross domestic product grew to $209.9 billion in 2022, marking an increase from $192.9 billion in the previous year.
2022: St. Louis Sheriff's Office Gains Arrest Powers
The St. Louis City Sheriff's Office gained the authority to make arrests and conduct traffic stops in 2022.
2023: St. Louis City SC Begins Play
In 2023, Major League Soccer's St. Louis City SC began play at CityPark, marking a new chapter in St. Louis sports.
2023: St. Louis BattleHawks Return
In 2023, after a two-year hiatus of the XFL, the St. Louis BattleHawks returned when the league resumed play.
