St. Charles in St. Charles County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Corn, Pole Beans, Squash
⎯⎯⎯
Habanero & Jalapeno Peppers
⎯⎯⎯
Tomato

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 22, 2021

1. Corn, Pole Beans, Squash / Habanero & Jalapeno Peppers / Tomato Marker

Inscription. Corn (Zea mays), Pole Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), Squash (Cucurbita maxima) These three vegetables store very well during winter months and were important food sources for the Native Americans of the northern plains. Seeds collected at the Mandan and Hidatsa villages by Lewis & Clark were sent to Thomas Jefferson who had them planted in his garden.

The Mandans, Hidatsas, and Arikaras planted beans and corn in the same hill. The corn stalk served as a trellis for climbing beans. Bean plants return nitrogen to the soil.

The Native Americans planted squash between the hills of corn and beans. The vines and leaves of the squash plants provided ground cover that reduced evaporation of moisture from the soil and discouraged the growth of weeds.

Habanero (Capsicum chinense) & Jalapeno Peppers (Capsicum annus) Hot peppers were cultivated in Mexico as much as 6,000 years ago. Columbus encountered the spicy peppers in the Caribbean and introduced them in Europe after his second voyage.

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Tomatoes originated in South America, and were introduced in Europe by the Spanish. Thought by some to be poisonous, tomatoes did not become popular until the 19th Century. Thomas Jefferson was an early proponent of tomato cultivation in the United States.

Topics and series.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era • Horticulture & Forestry • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Lewis & Clark Expedition series lists.

Location. 38° 46.383′ N, 90° 28.92′ W. Marker is in St. Charles, Missouri, in St. Charles County. It is at the intersection of South Riverside Drive and Boone's Lick Road, on the left when traveling south on South Riverside Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1050 S Riverside Dr, Saint Charles MO 63301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Missouri River Corridor

and in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

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and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Onions (here, next to this marker); Potato (here, next to this marker); The Lewis and Clark Expedition Across Missouri (a few steps from this marker); Marsh Mallows (a few steps from this marker); The Experiment (a few steps from this marker); May 21, 1804 (within shouting distance of this marker); Bishop's Landing (within shouting distance of this marker); Tracking the Boats (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Charles.

Other markers no longer nearby. Sunflower (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Survey Disk (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 335 times since then and 27 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Corn, Pole Beans, Squash⎯⎯⎯Habanero & Jalapeno Peppers⎯⎯⎯Tomato

Corn, Pole Beans, Squash
⎯⎯⎯
Habanero & Jalapeno Peppers
⎯⎯⎯
Tomato