Pierre Laclède Tells His Story of Finding St Louis and Working with the Local Tribes

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I am Pierre Laclède, a name you might recognize as the founder of St. Louis, Missouri—a city that rose from the wilderness to become a vital hub of trade and culture in the heart of America. My story is one of adventure, ambition, and the determination to carve out a new place in the world.

I was born in 1729 in Bedous, a small village in the Pyrenees of France. From a young age, I was drawn to the idea of exploration and the endless possibilities that lay beyond the familiar borders of my homeland. My opportunity to venture into the unknown came when I moved to New Orleans, a bustling French colony in Louisiana. There, I joined forces with a wealthy merchant and fur trader named Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent, who saw potential in my ambition and drive.

In 1763, the Treaty of Paris had just been signed, ending the Seven Years’ War and significantly altering the map of North America. France ceded its territories east of the Mississippi River to the British, while the land to the west, including Louisiana, was given to Spain. But there was a vast region, rich in fur-bearing animals, that remained under French influence even after the treaty. This was the land I set my sights on—a land that would soon be known as St. Louis.

In August 1763, I led an expedition up the Mississippi River, accompanied by my stepson, Auguste Chouteau, and a team of men. My mission was to establish a trading post that could serve as the center of the fur trade in the region, effectively controlling the flow of goods and making our fortune. After days of traveling through dense forests and navigating treacherous waters, we reached the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. There, I found the perfect location—a high, fertile ground that would be safe from flooding and easy to defend.

On February 15, 1764, we laid out the plans for a new settlement. I named it St. Louis, in honor of King Louis IX of France, a symbol of our French heritage in this new world. The city was designed with the future in mind, with broad streets and spacious plots of land that would allow for growth and prosperity. From the very beginning, I envisioned St. Louis as more than just a trading post—it was to be a thriving community where people from different backgrounds could live and work together.

St. Louis quickly became a vital center of commerce, attracting traders, trappers, and settlers from all over the region. The city’s strategic location made it the gateway to the West, a place where goods and ideas flowed freely between different cultures. I worked tirelessly to ensure that the settlement thrived, forging alliances with Native American tribes and fostering good relations with the Spanish authorities who now governed the region.

But my life was not without its challenges. The frontier was a harsh and unforgiving place, and the political landscape was constantly shifting. In the face of adversity, I remained steadfast in my commitment to building a lasting legacy in St. Louis. Unfortunately, I did not live to see the full realization of my dreams. In 1778, while on a journey back to New Orleans, I fell ill and passed away, leaving behind the city that would grow to become one of the great metropolises of the American Midwest.

As you walk the streets of St. Louis today, remember that it was born out of a vision—a vision of a place where commerce, culture, and community could thrive. I am Pierre Laclède, and my story is one of determination, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of a dream. Though I may be gone, the city I founded continues to live on, a testament to the power of vision and the enduring spirit of exploration.

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