St. Charles in St. Charles County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Onions
Allium Cepa
On his second voyage to the New World, Columbus brought onions from Europe to the Caribbean. Wild onions already existed there and were used by the natives as a food and for medicinal purposes. The onions from Europe had a stronger flavor and were quickly adopted by the natives.
In the seventeenth century, European varieties were introduced in North America by Pilgrim and Puritan settlers. Wild onions also were found here, and the Native Americans were already familiar with their use as food and medicine.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Science & Medicine.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 38° 46.383′ N, 90° 28.921′ W. Marker was in St. Charles, Missouri, in St. Charles County. It was 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 was at or near this postal address: 1050 S Riverside Dr, Saint Charles MO 63301, United States of America.
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Regionally, this marker was in the Missouri River Corridor and in Greater St. Louis. It was also 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: The Lewis and Clark Expedition Across Missouri (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); Peter Geery (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 921 South Riverside Drive (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Charles.
Other markers no longer nearby.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 221 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on September 22, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on March 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on March 23, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
