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Market House

Block 7A
Block 7B
Block 7D
Block 7E

Home > Circa 1804 > St. Louis: City Along The River > Block 7C
 


First Market House, 1812, from Billon


[Block 7C]

This block, where the south leg of the Gateway Arch stands today, was reserved as a public square. As in New Orleans and other French colonial towns, this was known as the Place d'Armes (parade ground) or Place de Publique. It was a park where people could walk, children could play games and the militia could drill. This area remained intact for nearly 50 years until the arrival of the Americans, who developed it. A market was built here in 1812. It was a simple roofed area supported by stone piers with 12 stalls.