St. Louis is Missouri’s 2nd most populous city and 77th largest city in the state in terms of land area. It is an independent city within the Greater St. Louis – a bi-state metropolitan area considered a Gamma global city. St. Louis played quite a significant role in the expansion of U.S. territories and had been the westernmost part of the country before the statehood of Texas on December 29, 1845.
Beyond its French and German heritage, St. Louis is also known for its Gateway Arch, historical museums, world-renowned cathedrals, soulful music scene, and mouth-watering food and beverages. There’s more to The Lou than just melancholy and the Mississippi River.
Here are 17 St. Louis facts that provide more insight into the city’s history, economy, and culture:
- St. Louis was incorporated as a MO city in 1822.
- The city name comes from Louis IX of France.
- It has more than five well-known nicknames.
- The city has the 2nd largest population in the entire state.
- St. Louis’ Gateway Arch is almost 60 years old.
- Lindell Boulevard houses the world’s largest collection of mosaics.
- One of the most important journeys in U.S. history kicked off here.
- Michigan Avenue is home to the 1st public kindergarten in the U.S.
- The city’s top three industries have a collective worth of $127.1B.
- St. Louis isn’t called “Home of the Blues” for nothing.
- America’s 1st national beer brand, Budweiser, hails from STL.
- SLSO is the 2nd-oldest professional symphony orchestra in the U.S.
- A local radio DJ was the first to play hip-hop music on air in 1979.
- 19% of St. Louis’ housing units are vacant.
- Build-A-Bear Workshop originated from this city in MO.
- Antacid tablets were invented in 1928 by a St. Louis pharmacist.
- The Lou boasts a local cuisine as eclectic as its roots.
This list details all the salient points you need to know about STL. But if this non-exhaustive rundown doesn’t do justice to describing the city, then read on and discover what else St. Louis has to offer.
What Is St. Louis Famous For?
1. St. Louis Was Incorporated as a MO City in 1822.
On August 10, 1821, Missouri became the 24th state to form what is now called the United States of America after the Missouri Compromise of 1820. Its acquisition by the U.S. was part of the $15M Louisiana Purchase of 1803. A year after, St. Louis was incorporated into the Union.
2. The City Name Comes From Louis IX of France.
Since French fur traders Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent, Pierre Laclède, and Auguste Chouteau founded The Lou, it makes perfect sense that the city was named after the then reigning French monarch’s patron saint. Louis IX was France’s ruler from 1226 to 1270 and also referred to as Saint Louis or Louis the Saint – hence, the city name. This allusion to the French king, though shortlived, was retained by the city despite being ceded to Spain within the same year it was founded.
3. It Has More Than Five Well-Known Nicknames.
Gateway to the West, Gateway City, STL, Mound City, The Lou, River City, Rome of the West, Home of the Blues, and Hustle City are just a few of these nicknames. Most of them attribute to the city’s historical significance, while others are less popular and pertain to the uglier side of the metro. For instance, the nickname ‘Hustle City’ became widely used in the late ’80s to early ’90s due to the cocaine epidemic that hit impoverished neighborhoods in the city.
4. The City Has the 2nd Largest Population in the Entire State.
With an estimated population of 301,578 (2020), the River City is the 2nd largest city in Missouri and the 71st largest city in the U.S. Interestingly, this figure is not the city’s peak population. It was in 1950 when St. Louis had a population of 856,796. But poor-quality housing, fiscal distress, economic stagnation, and suburbanization repercussions resulted in outward migration of its former city residents.
5. St. Louis’ Gateway Arch Is Almost 60 Years Old.
There’s a reason this monument’s name coincides with one of the city’s nicknames – and that’s because both are representative of the city’s historical role in the westward expansion of the U.S. The Gateway Arch is only one of three parts of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (the other two being the Museum of Westward Expansion situated underneath the arch and the St. Louis’ Old Courthouse). Facts about St. Louis Arch: This 630-feet stainless-steel structure just turned 50 years old in 2015 and will almost be of senior age by 2025.
6. Lindell Boulevard Houses the World’s Largest Collection of Mosaics.
The Neo-Byzantine Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis replaced the previous Saint Louis Cathedral, and $3M ($83.6M if valued today) was spent on it. Structurally, it was done in 1914. But including its mosaic installation (consisting of 41.5 million glass tesserae pieces), it took another 62 years after consecration before the church was fully completed. Excluding Russia, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis has the largest mosaic collection in the world.
7. One of the Most Important Journeys in U.S. History Kicked off Here.
Otherwise known as the Corps of Expedition, the Lewis and Clark Expedition was mandated by then U.S. President Thomas Jefferson to discover more about the country’s unchartered western portion acquired through the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. This expedition aimed to explore the Missouri River, establish diplomatic relations with Native American-Indian tribes, expand the U.S. fur trade, find a practical Northwest Passage, and establish an American presence in the new territory before the British were able to make claims in the region. The corps was led by Captain Meriwether Lewis and 2nd Lieutenant William Clark – hence the name.
8. Michigan Avenue Is Home to the 1st Public Kindergarten in the U.S.
Susan Blow is the brainchild of the U.S. kindergarten movement, having established the first-ever publicly-funded kindergarten in the country in her hometown. Much of the success of the then-new platform was owed to the strict observance of Friedrich Froebel’s kindergarten methods. Although there were attempts by the Des Peres School Board to get rid of what Blow started, the revolutionary program prevailed and, not long after, became a national model for early childhood education across the U.S.
9. The City’s Top Three Industries Have a Collective Worth of $127.1B.
Manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and social services alone account for approximately 83.4% of the city’s 2019 Gross Domestic Product (GDP). With this figure, St. Louis has the 22nd highest GDP in the entire country. These three sectors also employ the highest number of workers but in reverse order – with healthcare and social services having the biggest labor force and manufacturing only placing 3rd. Furthermore, eight Fortune 500 companies are currently headquartered in STL, namely – Ameren, Centene, Emerson Electric, Edward Jones Investments, Graybar Electric, Olin, Reinsurance Group of America, and Post Holdings.
10. St. Louis Isn’t Called “Home of the Blues” for Nothing.
Before Chicago, St. Louis (together with Memphis) was the original Blues Town and is home to some of the best blues musicians of all time. “The Velvet Bulldozer” Albert King and the indomitable “St. Louis Blues” written by W.C. Handy are just a couple of examples of legendary artists and timeless classics that hail from St. Louis. Others, like Robert Nighthawk, aren’t necessarily born in the city but got their musical break there.
11. America’s 1st National Beer Brand, Budweiser, Hails From STL.
Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC (maker of Budweiser and other world-class beers and sports drinks) was founded 170 years ago as Bavarian Brewery on Carondelet Avenue in South St. Louis. Eberhard Anheuser and Adolphus Busch were already the 2nd and 3rd-generation leaders of the brewing company (relatives by legality, in fact) and the ones responsible for its international growth. Busch, in particular, was the 1st American brewer to use refrigerated railroad cars – 40 of them in 1877 – to transport his beers. His firm’s unrivaled distribution range tremendously helped launch the premium beer Budweiser in the U.S. in 1876.
12. SLSO Is the 2nd-Oldest Professional Symphony Orchestra in the U.S.
The seven-time, Grammy Award-winning St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (or SLSO for short) was founded in 1880 by Joseph Otten and originally called the St. Louis Choral Society. The group started with less than 100 members and initially performed at the Kiel Opera House before moving to Powell Hall (its current home). In its 141st season, the ensemble is currently well-celebrated for its community outreach efforts and engaging warm music.
13. A Local Radio DJ Was the First to Play Hip-Hop Music on Air in 1979.
It isn’t established if the radio station was WESL (The Sister Sound), but it’s definitely “The Gentleman” Jim Gates, who first aired Sugar Hill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” in 1979. Although hip-hop was already a growing subculture well before this time, it took the Sugar Hill Gang’s debut to make hip-hop music mainstream a possibility.
14. 19% Of St. Louis’ Housing Units Are Vacant.
St. Louis’ population dip since the ’50s resulted in almost one-fifth of the city’s housing units being unoccupied. This means that one in every five available housing units in the River City is just left to waste away or attract wildlife. Most of these vacant homes have been abandoned by former St. Louis residents who opted to move out of state, which adds to the number of overgrown lots that cannot be put up for resale.
15. Build-A-Bear Workshop Originated From This City in MO.
Founded by Maxine Clark in 1997, the Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is the largest American chain where stuffed bears (and other animals) are tailored according to buyer preferences. The entire process is interactive and includes a buyer’s choice of sounds, outfits, and scents they want to go with the stuffed toy. The chain’s first-ever store was opened in Saint Louis Galleria in Richmond Heights, MO. Currently, the company and its franchisees have over 400 stores worldwide.
16. Antacid Tablets Were Invented in 1928 by a St. Louis Pharmacist.
That pharmacist was James Harvey “Jim” Howe, who developed the world-renowned TUMSTM in the basement of his home in an attempt to treat his wife’s indigestion. The remedy was so effective that it was commercially produced two years after by the Lewis-Howe Company, which eventually became GlaxoSmithKline through a series of mergers and buy-outs. Although the antacid manufacturer is no longer St. Louis-based, the main factory complex for TUMSTM is still in downtown St. Louis – the same place where Jim Howe and his uncle originally built their plant in 1930.
17. The Lou Boasts a Local Cuisine as Eclectic as Its Roots.
This metropolis is rich in music, culture, and tradition, but what food is St. Louis known for? Well, you’re just about to find out. This section covers the most popular (and mouth-watering) culinary wonders the Gateway to the West has got to offer – all the city’s must-try to include in your food itinerary:
Gooey Butter Cake
While it isn’t customary to have cake for breakfast, locals often include a slice of this sweet treat in their first meal. The gooey butter cake is a dessert topped with powdered sugar and raspberries (or any of the following – cherry, chocolate chip, red velvet, turtle, or white chocolate raspberry).
As its name suggests, it was born out of misproportioned coffee cake batter (resulting in a pudding-like filling) and had since become a St. Louis tradition. It is said to have originated in the 1930s. But several sources point to the early 1940s and an ongoing conjecture between Herman Danzer and John Koppe as the baker responsible for its creation.
St. Louis Style Pizza
In looks, many things set St. Louis-style pizza apart from Chicago’s Deep Dish and the Neopolitan pizza – the most notable of which is its cracker-thin crust and use of St. Louis’ own Provel cheese. Moreover, the pizza is cut into squares – like Little Caesars Pizza – instead of slices (hence, the slogan “The Square Beyond Compare” of some of the metro’s pizza parlors). Layers of Provel cheese and other toppings make the St. Louis-style pizza a filling lunch special that’s light on the tummy and great to enjoy with friends.
St. Louis Style Ribs
The region’s style of barbecue ribs may feature a wide range of dry-rubbed meats. Although one thing is consistent – all spare ribs are cut into a perfect rectangle. Top smokehouses are aplenty in the city. But if you want the best St. Louis-style ribs in town, visit Pappy’s Smokehouse, Sugarfire Smoke House, or Bogart’s Smokehouse, which brushes smoked ribs with a special apricot glaze before caramelizing them using an industrial blowtorch.
Provel Cheese
This melty American cheese was made specifically for the St. Louis-style pizza, first introduced in Luigi’s Restaurant in 1953 and made famous by Imo’s Pizza in 1963. This white cheese is a combination of Cheddar, Swiss, and Provolone cheeses (plus a touch of liquid smoke) blended to perfection, with a low melting point and without the stringiness of Mozzarella. It is so good that, according to Jon Hamm, the cheese makes the pizza taste like “11 World Series victories.”
Toasted Ravioli
Fondly called ‘T-ravs,’ this famous local snack was invented in St. Louis’ Italian district. Legend says it is another kitchen blunder (much like gooey butter cake), but there seems to be no mistake in how this crispy treat is now made. Italian restaurants in the metro first make fresh homemade ravioli that they later dip in milk, dredge in seasoned breadcrumbs, and fry to a golden brown. They then serve this dish with Romano cheese and marinara sauce.
Toasted ravioli is typically filled with seasoned ground meat. But more upscale joints around St. Louis fill their T-ravs with artichokes (Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria), oak-smoked burnt ends (Salt + Smoke), or barbecue chicken (Three Kings Public House). As if that weren’t enough, a sprinkling of garlic and herbs and barbecue dipping sauce makes the dish all the more difficult to resist.
Slinger
This dish goes by many monikers – the ‘ultimate late-night food’ and ‘hangover antidote’ (to name a few). And there’s good reason behind these names. A slinger is a delicious combination of breakfast potatoes, eggs, and some protein (hamburger patty, bacon, sausage, or ham) – all nearly drowned in chili and topped with shredded cheese and diced onions. Depending on the diner or breakfast spot you frequent, it could come with hash browns or toast. Locals say it is perfect for soaking up booze after a long night of partying. Others say it’s a breakfast meal that’s not for the faint-hearted.
Gerber Sandwich
Like a French Croque Monsieur, this open-faced sandwich was created in the family-owned Ruma’s Deli and named after a customer called Dick Gerber in 1973. It consists of a half section of Italian or French bread transformed into cheesy garlic bread. The slab is then topped with sliced ham, Provel, or Provolone cheese and seasoned with paprika before being toasted. Many other restaurants within the metro have since duplicated the Gerber sandwich. But if you want to taste authentic, it would be best to visit Ruma Deli’s two remaining locations and order half prosperity (a version made with roast beef), and half Gerber treat.
Frozen Custard Concrete
Contrary to its name, this dessert isn’t concrete but rather a malt or shake so thick it is served upside down – like how Dairy Queen serves customers its blizzards. This cold, delightful treat uses dairy-based ice cream made with eggs and honey and was first created in Ted Drewes’ custard shop in 1959, almost three decades since it opened. Locals and avid foodies love its quirky yellow-and-green cups and describe it as “smooth as silk.” And with a myriad of toppings and tidbits to choose from, frozen custard concrete tastes even better (not to mention it has fewer calories than ice cream)!
St. Paul Sandwich
Far from the standard menu of a Chinese restaurant, the St. Paul sandwich originated in St. Louis in the 1940s and was an attempt to appeal to American diners. The sandwich features a somehow odd combination of ingredients – a fried egg foo young patty (made with chopped white onions and mung beans sprouts) with lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, and pickles all sandwiched between two pieces of Wonder Bread. Current versions of this St. Louis classic have a mix of proteins in the patty for more complex flavors, with some offering seafood and vegetarian varieties.
Pork Steak
When you smell that blend of paprika, brown sugar, garlic, assorted spices, and smoked meat in the air, you’ll know it’s summer – and the season for pork steaks – in St. Louis. From a stereotypical overcooked piece of meat, St. Louis’ pork steak has evolved over the years into a tasty entree that’s brined overnight, rubbed with secret spices, and smoked over cherry wood for hours.
The city’s version of pork steak was first made popular by Schnucks Markets in the late 1950s. At the time, the grocery chain sold pork shoulders (specifically the part known as the Boston butt) instead of beef. Whether their reason was to rival beef steaks, to provide more affordable meat, or simply a realization of how well the shoulder cut cooked on the grill, we have them to thank for this local staple.
Darkness Croissant
A featured pastry of La Patisserie Chouquette in Tower Grove Avenue, the Darkness Croissant is the perfect balance of the proverbial ‘good and evil,’ but in the form of food. Making this French-inspired pastry is labor-intensive, as the bakery spends hours creating a chocolate laminated dough and filling it with double dark-chocolate batons before baking. As if that weren’t enough chocolateness, it is finished with ribbons of melted dark chocolate and a sprinkling of pink Himalayan sea salt – making the dark pastry more magical.
Ice Cream Cone
The edible container can be credited to an Italian immigrant in New York who invented the first ice cream cone in 1896. However, Louisan locals believe that the 1904 World’s Fair held in the metro is the birthplace of this brilliant invention. Food lore has it that an ice cream vendor participating in the event ran out of paper cups, consequently partnering with a waffle vendor to create a rolled cone on the spot.
Although ice cream cones are a dime a dozen nowadays, there are a few top spots – like Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Creamery in Macklind Avenue – that are renowned both for their ice cream cones and creative takes on the creamy goodness you put in these crispy treats.
Mayfair Dressing
Named after the Mayfair Hotel (now known as Magnolia St. Louis), this anchovy-flavored salad dressing was originally mixed with a bed of Romaine lettuce, julienned Swiss cheese and ham, and croutons. This Mayfair Hotel original is served alongside cucumbers, field greens, and cherry tomatoes.
Conclusion – What Is St. Louis Known For
So, what is St. Louis known for? Again, here’s a summary of what we covered in this article:
- St. Louis was incorporated as a MO city in 1822.
- The city name comes from Louis IX of France.
- It has more than five well-known nicknames.
- The city has the 2nd largest population in the entire state.
- St. Louis’ Gateway Arch is almost 60 years old.
- Lindell Boulevard houses the world’s largest collection of mosaics.
- One of the most important journeys in U.S. history kicked off here.
- Michigan Avenue is home to the 1st public kindergarten in the U.S.
- The city’s top three industries have a collective worth of $127.1B.
- St. Louis isn’t called “Home of the Blues” for nothing.
- America’s 1st national beer brand, Budweiser, hails from STL.
- SLSO is the 2nd-oldest professional symphony orchestra in the U.S.
- A local radio DJ was the first to play hip-hop music on air in 1979.
- 19% of St. Louis’ housing units are vacant.
- Build-A-Bear Workshop originated from this city in MO.
- Antacid tablets were invented in 1928 by a St. Louis pharmacist.
- The Lou boasts a local cuisine as eclectic as its roots.
Be it heritage-rich landmarks, soulful music, a robust economy, or delectable local food, the Gateway to the West has a lot to offer! The 17 fun facts in this guide don’t encompass everything excellent about the city. If you genuinely want to find out just how great St. Louis is, then pack your bags and head towards the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.