Downtown in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Rue Royale
First Street
| — | Creole Colonial Corridor | — |
La Grande Rue, la Rue Principale or la Rue Royale ("Royal Street" or First Street) was considered "Main Street" of Colonial-era St. Louis. Residences and businesses that lined Rue Royale had the best locations for trade, and all of the leading families had their homes and stores along it. A cluster of homes for members of the Laclede and Chouteau families was was centrally located, just north of the Maxent, Laclede and Company buildings (principal trading post of the town) that lay between modern Market and Walnut Streets. This site was later rented by the Spanish Government to serve as an administrative center for the Territory of Louisiana. The territorial transfer to the United States also took place on the Rue Royale in 1804, at the corner of what later became First and Walnut Streets.
[Plaque translated into French:]
this page online
Erected 2014 by Creole Colonial Corridor.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1804.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 38° 37.794′ N, 90° 11.005′ W. Marker was in St. Louis, Missouri. It was in Downtown. It was at the intersection of North 1st Street and Lucas Avenue, on the right when traveling south on North 1st Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 707 North 1st Street, Saint Louis MO 63102, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: In Memory of Katherine Ward Burg (within shouting distance
Other markers no longer nearby. Old Missouri Hotel (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Old Judge Coffee Bldg. (was about 300 feet away but has been confirmed missing); La Grande Rue (was about 300 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Lewis and Clark and St. Louis Riverfront (was about 500 feet away but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. This is one of seven markers that were placed in the city of St. Louis in October 2014, in honor of the city's 250th birthday.
Photographed by Garrett Koch, March 20, 2026
3. Rue Royale Marker MISSING!
Though the post on which this sign hung on was badly bent over in 2019, the sidewalk has been renovated and the post and all has been removed for the construction but not replaced. I know all who volunteer here on the HMDB website heartily support the retention of our history; I think we all wish those who direct these civil and municipal improvements cared as much. Of the NINE MARKERS in the Laclede's Landing area here in STL that I sought yesterday, nearly half were missing! This includes brass plaques that were BOLTED to cement and brick walls! It's so very disappointing.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 578 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on June 17, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 17, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on March 21, 2026, by Garrett Koch of Saint Louis, Missouri.
