Founding St. Louis: First City of the New West

by J. Frederick Fausz

The animal wealth of the western "wilderness" provided by talented "savages" encouraged French-Americans from Illinois, Canada and Louisiana to found a cosmopolitan center of international commerce that was a model of multicultural harmony. Historian J. Frederick Fausz offers a fresh interpretation of Saint Louis from 1764 to 1804, explaining how Pierre Lacl de, the early Chouteaus, Saint Ange de Bellerive and the Osage Indians established a "gateway" to an enlightened, alternative frontier of peace and prosperity before Lewis and Clark were even born. Historians, genealogists and general readers will appreciate the well-researched perspectives in this engaging story about a novel French West long ignored in American History.

Genres: History

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 26, 2011

Reviews

[Roger Rosenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good explanation of the founding of the city and it’s place in early America. Interesting contrast between the English who fought against the Native Americans and the French who treated them as allies and business partners.

[P.J. Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, was hoping for more about the layout of the city, former streets and happenings within but this is a great account of how Laclede & Chouteau came to create the city and the multiculturalism that ensued.

[Bob Laclede · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent account of the founding of St. Louis and my favorite book on Pierre Laclede.

[Becky Filipek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was about Pierre Laclede and Auguste Chouteau. The period of time covered in this book is quite short, being that its focus is on the founding of St. Louis and the city's first few years. It was somewhat academic, but I found it to be an interesting read and I learned quite a bit about the Laclede/Chauteau family and early St. Louis facts.

I read "Founding St. Louis" this year in honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of St. Louis. I have lived in St. Louis almost my whole life, but I definitely learned things that I didn't know before, and I now have a greater appreciation for the history of my favorite city.

I would recommend this book for someone that wants to know more about the men and families that founded St. Louis, for someone interested in the French colonial era of history, or for someone interested in another perspective of life in America during the Revolutionary War era and the years that followed.

[James Spurgeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In his last government report, Chouteau reminded American officials of the invaluable principle that had made the 'spirit of St. Louis' so special. Finding success on a distant frontier of many cultures, he wrote, requires 'a complete knowledge' of different 'customs, characters, habits, [and] way of living -- without which one will always err and fall from errors to errors.'" (pg. 198)

This book is absolutely amazing. For anyone that lives in St. Louis, this is a must read. It has taught me so much about the founding of the city that I call home which so much has been lost to modern times. What shaped us, and how did we get to this point? Even today, we can still learn many lessons from Auguste Chouteau and the early years of our city.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the interest of full disclosure, Professor Faust taught my Senior Seminar class in History at UM St. Louis and I liked him a great deal. So I'm not an entirely unbiased reader. Dr. Faust examines the often neglected period of St. Louis history that took place before the Louisiana Purchase when the region was still under French influence. He highlights the symbiotic relationship the French had with the local Native tribes which allowed what could have been an insignificant trading post to grow into the thriving metropolis it eventually became. A good read for anyone interested in St. Louis or Early American history.