Iconography of St facts for kids
The iconography of St. Louis, Missouri is all about the special symbols and images that represent the city. These symbols tell us about St. Louis's history, especially its French and German roots, its important rivers, and its role in American history.
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Mound City: A Look at Ancient History
Long before European settlers arrived, the Cahokia people lived in the St. Louis area. They built many large mounds of earth. Over time, as the city grew, most of these mounds were removed. However, the city still has the nickname Mound City because of this ancient past.
Even today, some people remember the mounds. A cartoonist named Dan Martin draws a weekly cartoon about St. Louis life called "Postcard From Mound City." Also, a plan for the Gateway Mall in 2007 suggested building a new mound. This new mound would offer a great view of the city.
River City: Where Great Rivers Meet
St. Louis is in a very special spot. It's where the Illinois, Missouri, and Mississippi rivers all come together. This meeting point is called a confluence. Pierre Laclede founded the city as a fur trading post. He knew this location would be perfect for shipping goods by river.
For a long time, St. Louis was famous for its river barges and steamboats. The famous writer Mark Twain is closely linked to St. Louis. He wrote many stories about the steamboats on the river.
The idea of rivers joining, or a "confluence," is a popular symbol in St. Louis. Local groups often use this term to describe great ideas coming together. It's a big part of the city's identity, even shown on the city flag.
Saint Louis: Honoring a King
St. Louis was named by Pierre Laclede to honor King Louis IX of France. This king is still honored today with a large statue in Forest Park. The statue is called The Apotheosis of St. Louis. When you see "Saint Louis" spelled out, it usually refers to the king. "St. Louis" usually means the city itself.
The fleur-de-lis is a French symbol that looks like a lily flower. It is on the flag of St. Louis. You can see this symbol used often around the city. Many local groups and charities use it in their logos.
Gateway City: To the West and Beyond
The Gateway Arch is the most famous symbol of St. Louis. It was built to celebrate the city's role as the Gateway to the West. St. Louis was the starting point for many important journeys. For example, Lewis and Clark began their famous Voyage of Discovery here. Many pioneers also started their trips along the Oregon and Santa Fe trails from St. Louis. Even today, you can find reminders of Route 66, a historic highway that passed through the city.
St. Louis was not just important for river travel. It also played a big part in the history of air travel. Companies like McDonnell Douglas and TWA were once based here. Charles Lindbergh made his famous solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in a plane called the Spirit of St. Louis. The airport code for Lambert International Airport is STL. This code is often used as a short name for the city.
A City of Sports and History
The Anheuser-Busch company has been a major part of St. Louis's economy for a long time. This company owned the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. This brought together two very popular things in the region: the brewery and baseball. The Anheuser-Busch brewery in Soulard has a unique smell that many locals recognize. This smell is often a sign that you are close to that part of the city.
Images for kids
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Eads Bridge, a gateway across a river
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Eads Bridge, 1875
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Lewis and Clark's Voyage of Discovery began near the Eads Bridge
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Anheuser-Busch Brewery
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The Apotheosis of Saint Louis statue
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Side view of The Apotheosis of Saint Louis
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Charles Lindbergh and the Spirit of St. Louis airplane
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