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The new year marks Missouri’s bicentennial – on Aug. 10, 1821, Missouri became the 24th state to enter the union. The path to and early years of statehood were long and controversial, and St. Charles County played a significant role as home to the first state capitol.

After Missouri Territory was granted third-class status in 1816, the powers of the territorial government increased, and voters were allowed to elect both houses of the territorial legislature. Nevertheless, the men previously appointed were now elected as the voters deferred to influential lawyers and landowners. The principal question that engaged public attention then was to secure a State government for and the admission of Missouri into the Union.”1 Statehood had been discussed since the War of 1812 and Samuel Hammond, Colonel Commandant of the St. Louis District of the Louisiana Territory who became the first president (governor) of the Missouri Territorial Council in 1813, drafted an application for statehood in 1816. Congressman Rufus Easton, born in Connecticut, co-sponsored a bill in Congress in 1816 to abolish slavery west of the Mississippi River. That year, Easton was defeated in a close race by John Scott, a Kentucky native who worked hard for slavery, clearly favored by the majority of his constituents. In December 1819, a prospectus for the Missourian, a newspaper planned for St. Charles, suggested, “Just emerging from a state of territorial imbecility, to the light and life of a free and independent state, Missouri begins to see the dawn of a new order of things.”2 

The voters in the 15 counties of the territory elected delegates to a constitutional convention in May 1820. Benjamin Emmons III, Nathan Boone and Hiram Baber were elected to represent St. Charles County. When the elderly Daniel Boone, Nathan’s father, died while the convention was deliberating, Benjamin Emmons III offered, and the convention passed, a resolution that the members wear “the usual badge of mourning” for 30 days. The convention, largely composed of conservative wealthy men, including the “junto” from St. Louis, who had dominated territorial affairs, elected David Barton as presiding officer. The document they approved, drafted by Convention Delegate Edward Bates, was very similar to the constitution of Kentucky, and pro-slavery. Since the admission of Missouri as a slave state would have given the slave states a majority in the United States Senate, Missouri’s admission was possible only after a compromise admitted Maine as a free state at the same time. An additional term of the “Missouri Compromise” prohibited slavery in the Louisiana Purchase territory north of Missouri’s southern boundary, except for Missouri.3 The people were not allowed to vote on ratification of the constitution, which provided for appointment of all judges of the county, circuit and appellate courts, as well as justices of the peace in each township. Thus, the constitution itself became the first topic of political debate in the new state. In the first gubernatorial race, Colonel Alexander McNair, who opposed the appointed judiciary, won three to one in St. Charles County and won the race, enroute to his victory over William Clark, the candidate of the conservative St. Louis “junto.” Voters elected William Ashley, who had also been a colonel in the militia, to the post of lieutenant governor.

In 1821, representatives from throughout the new state of Missouri traveled the rivers, streams, trails and primitive roads to come to St. Charles, the temporary state capital of Missouri. St. Charles beat eight other cities in a competition to house the temporary capitol while the “City of Jefferson” was built. Ruluff and Charles Peck had built two buildings on Main Street for their residence and store. When the Missouri General Assembly was deciding where to locate the State Capitol, St. Charles offered them the buildings rent-free. The second floor of the Peck building housed the Missouri General Assembly, and the building next door was used for the Governor’s office and committee rooms. The first session of the legislature convened on Main Street in St. Charles on June 4, 1821, in response to the call of Governor Alexander McNair and two months before Missouri was officially admitted into the union. Men in not very fancy clothes met in these not very fancy quarters to launch representative government in Missouri. Robert Wells and Henry Geyer served in the legislative branch, while Joshua Barton, William Pettus, Hamilton Gamble, Rufus Easton, and Edward Bates served in the administration. The members of the legislature could look out the back windows of the Capitol buildings and see the Missouri River, once a highway of local commerce for the French and Indians, soon to become, with the introduction of steam, a highway of national commerce.

As part of a second Missouri Compromise, the General Assembly promised that they would never enforce the clause of the state constitution banning new freed slaves from the state. With further prompting by Senator Henry Clay, Congress accepted the promise and, on Aug. 10, 1821, President James Monroe proclaimed the admission of Missouri as the twenty-fourth state of the Union. Governor McNair officially informed the legislature in St. Charles of that fact on November 6, 1821. Sometime later, the legislature went back on its word and passed a statute keeping freed slaves out of the new state.4

The General Assembly adjourned for the last time in St. Charles on Jan. 21, 1826. When the state capital moved to Jefferson City in October 1826, St. Charles lost its position of preeminence in Missouri politics. While a farewell party for departing state officials was given in his home, William Pettus remained in St. Charles. Pettus served as County Court judge from 1827 until 1832, when he was elected to represent the Eighth Senatorial district, which included St. Charles County, in the Missouri Senate. He was a leading citizen of the county until he moved to St. Louis in 1855 to pursue business opportunities. Rufus Easton, who remained in St. Charles until his death in 1834, was buried in a cemetery on the campus of the Linden Wood School for Girls. After losing to Spencer Petttis in his bid for re-election to Congress, Edward Bates, who had married Julia Coalter, sister of John Coalter, in 1823, moved to Cheneaux, his plantation on Dardenne Prairie, where he lived from 1828 until 1842. Others also moved to St. Charles County, as the population grew to 4,320 by 1830. St. Charles, on the other hand, experienced little growth after the departure of the state government, causing one commentator to regret, “While the town enjoyed the perogatives (sic) of a state capital, it flourished and promised to be a place of very great importance, but it since declined considerably …”5 This statement certainly would not apply today.

1. 1885 history, 190.

2. William H. Taft, Missouri Newspapers, (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1964), 22.

3. Perry McCandliss, A History of Missouri, 1820 -1860, Volume II, (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1971), 5; Spellman, American Pioneers, 65.

4. Nagel,

 Missouri, 47; Primm, Lion of the Valley, 121-122.

5. Valley of the Mississippi, 41. Edward Bates, born in Virginia in 1793, served as Missouri’s first Attorney General, U.S. Attorney and State Representative from St. Louis County. History of St. Charles County, 206-207. “Three Missouri Statehood Fathers,” MHR, January 1980. 267; Cain, Lincoln’s Attorney General, 7, 19.

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It is an understatement to say that 2020 was a rough year. We’ve never seen anything like this pandemic, and hopefully never will again. Despite these uncertain times, I believe there are still many things to be thankful for in St. Charles County as we start this new year.

I’m grateful, and I hope you are, too, for how the many facets of our community respond to and manage the pandemic: Our amazing healthcare workers who have been on the frontlines providing exceptional care since day one…our teachers and school districts making certain students receive an excellent education whether they opt for in-person or virtual learning…our businesses and restaurants for pivoting their services and thinking outside the box to meet customer needs…our essential and public-facing workers, including County and local government employees, for providing outstanding service in difficult circumstances…our generous and resilient residents for supporting their neighbors and for following safety precautions.

My list wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging the extraordinary work of the St. Charles County Department of Public Health. Since before COVID-19 first hit our county in March and in the many months since, staff have worked fervently to provide testing and education, answer questions, manage quarantines, track data, and are now working to help roll out COVID-19 vaccinations in accordance with the state’s vaccination plan.

We’ve been very fortunate to maintain a strong economy during the pandemic. Nearly 10,000 employers, from entrepreneurs to global companies, are located in St. Charles County. Our unemployment continues to be lower than other areas of the state and nation, and despite the pandemic, the County reports year-end totals for housing and commercial construction permits are well ahead of 2019. The estimated cost of construction exceeded last year in all categories as well.

Thanks to county residents who participated in the 2020 Census, St. Charles County may see an increase in federal funding in 2021 and beyond. The county had the highest response rate of Missouri’s 115 counties at 81.6 percent, a rise from 77.3 percent for the 2010 census. Census results are used to determine the number of congressional seats for each state and to distribute more than $675 billion in federal funds, grants and other support to states, counties and communities for schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other vital programs. 

There are so many other things we can be grateful for – our wonderful County parks, road infrastructure, nonprofits that help those in need… St. Charles County is more than 400,000 strong, and while we may have different views and perspectives on how to handle the pandemic, I truly believe we ultimately want what’s best for each other. Let’s continue to work together and look out for each other in 2021.

What are you grateful for in our community? I’d love to hear: thollander@sccmo.org.

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If you love history and trips to scenic Historic Missouri Wine Country, make time to stop by The Daniel Boone Hays Home at Matson Hill Park in Defiance. The beautiful 1830s stone home is now open to the public on weekends for free, self-guided tours.

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Winter doesn’t mean the St. Charles County Highway Department slows down on improving roadways in our community. In fact, two major projects are in the works.

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As a state-registered provider of the COVID-19 vaccine, the St. Charles County Department of Public Health (DPH) has begun vaccination distribution pursuant to the State’s vaccination plan.

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Use this site to find job opportunities within the county.

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Finding the “right” pet to join your family is an exciting, but important step. Based upon your preferences, we can find a pet that meets your needs and wants.

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It’s that time of year again when the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department invites everyone to join them in making maple syrup at The Historic Daniel Boone Home, 1868 Highway F in Defiance! Join in the fun from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday,

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Despite the pandemic, the County reports year-end totals for housing and commercial construction permits are well ahead of 2019.

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Good news on the housing front is coming out of St. Charles County. Despite the pandemic, the County reports year-end totals for housing and commercial construction permits are well ahead of 2019.

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These videos are available to help pet foster families volunteering with the St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center.

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Division of Humane Services volunteers can use these training videos to assist in their roles with the Pet Adoption Center in St. Charles County.

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Council members, Mike Elam

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Exciting new amenities are coming in 2021 to Riverside Landing, located at 600 Kampville Drive in St. Charles along the Mississippi River. Purchased in March 2018 by the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department, the 7.73-acre park will be

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Completed assessment forms are due to the Assessor by March 1.

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Filing by contactless methods strongly encouraged; forms due March 1

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Learn more about Missouri’s phased COVID-19 vaccination plan and register to receive a vaccination from the Department of Public Health when eligible.

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