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

First Missouri State Capitol

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 18, 2021

1. First Missouri State Capitol Marker

Inscription.

First Missouri State Capitol. . , On Aug. 10, 1821, Missouri became the 24th state of the United States. Peck Row in St. Charles served as the temporary capitol of Missouri for just over five years, from 1821 to 1826. The promise of free rent, spacious accommodations, close proximity to St. Louis, and access to the Missouri River and Boone's Lick Road brought the capital to St. Charles. Meanwhile the permanent capital of Jefferson City was being constructed in the middle of the state.

Struggle for Statehood , In 1820, as part of the "Missouri Compromise," Missouri and Maine tried to enter the United States together to preserve the balance between slave states and free states. Maine became a state immediately. Missouri's constitution prohibited the entrance of "free Negroes and mulattos" into the state. That clause violated interstate travel clauses in the U.S. constitution, so Missouri's constitution was rejected. In a special session, the legislature began meeting in St. Charles and made corrections to the state constitution (the "Solemn Public Oath"). After a 17-month ordeal, Missouri became a state.

While in St. Charles, the legislature passed the "Solemn Public Oath," abolished debtor's prison, created the state seal and chose Jefferson City to be Missouri's permanent capital.

Restoration of the First State Capitol , Charles Peck, Ruluff Peck and his wife, Adeline, and Chauncy Shepherd owned the Capitol building in St. Charles. The rooms were rented, not owned, by the state. The legislative rooms, governor's office, and the Peck store and residence have been restored to period style.

The Capitol buildings were privately owned until Missouri bought them in 1961. After ten years of restoration, the Capitol re-opened as the First Missouri Capitol State Historic Site.

[Sidebar:] , Missouri State Parks administers the historic site, which is open to the public year-round. For site hours and tour availability, call 636-940-3322.

[Captions:] , From left to right: Alexander McNair, Frederick Bate, Abraham Williams (not pictured) and John Miller served as governors while the capital was St. Charles.

Background photo: The First Capitol today appears much as it did in 1820.

The location of Missouri's permanent capital, "Jefferson," was still undecided in 1820. St. Charles became the temporary capital.

Left: Henry S. Geyer was Speaker of the Missouri House all five years that the capital was St. Charles.

Right: The Missouri House of Representatives Chamber has been restored to its 1821 appearance.

The earliest known photo of the First Capitol Building was taken in the 1860s.

On Aug. 10, 1821, Missouri became the 24th state of the United States. Peck Row in St. Charles served as the temporary capitol of Missouri for just over five years, from 1821 to 1826. The promise of free rent, spacious accommodations, close proximity to St. Louis, and access to the Missouri River and Boone's Lick Road brought the capital to St. Charles. Meanwhile the permanent capital of Jefferson City was being constructed in the middle of the state.

Struggle for Statehood
In 1820, as part of the "Missouri Compromise," Missouri and Maine tried to enter the United States together to preserve the balance between slave states and free states. Maine became a state immediately. Missouri's constitution prohibited the entrance of "free Negroes and mulattos" into the state. That clause violated interstate travel clauses in the U.S. constitution, so Missouri's constitution was rejected. In a special session, the legislature began meeting in St. Charles and made corrections to the state constitution (the "Solemn Public Oath"). After a 17-month ordeal, Missouri became a state.

While in St. Charles, the legislature passed the "Solemn Public Oath," abolished debtor's prison, created the state seal and chose Jefferson City to be Missouri's permanent capital.

Restoration of the First State Capitol
Charles

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Peck, Ruluff Peck and his wife, Adeline, and Chauncy Shepherd owned the Capitol building in St. Charles. The rooms were rented, not owned, by the state. The legislative rooms, governor's office, and the Peck store and residence have been restored to period style.

The Capitol buildings were privately owned until Missouri bought them in 1961. After ten years of restoration, the Capitol re-opened as the First Missouri Capitol State Historic Site.

[Sidebar:]
Missouri State Parks administers the historic site, which is open to the public year-round. For site hours and tour availability, call 636-940-3322.

[Captions:]
From left to right: Alexander McNair, Frederick Bate, Abraham Williams (not pictured) and John Miller served as governors while the capital was St. Charles.

Background photo: The First Capitol today appears much as it did in 1820.

The location of Missouri's permanent capital, "Jefferson," was still undecided in 1820. St. Charles became the temporary capital.

Left: Henry S. Geyer was Speaker of the Missouri House all five years that the capital was St. Charles.

Right: The Missouri House of Representatives Chamber has been restored to its 1821 appearance.

The earliest known photo of the First Capitol Building was taken in the 1860s.

Erected by

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 18, 2021

2. First Missouri State Capitol Marker

Missouri State Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is August 10, 1821.

Location. 38° 46.798′ N, 90° 28.843′ W. Marker is in St. Charles, Missouri, in St. Charles County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of South Riverside Drive and Madison Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 222 S Riverside Dr, Saint Charles MO 63301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lewis and Clark in Missouri (here, next to this marker); St. Charles to Machens (here, next to this marker); St. Charles Points of Interest (here, next to this marker); St. Charles to Greens Bottom (here, next to this marker); History of St. Charles (a few steps from this marker); First State Capitol of Missouri (within shouting distance of this marker); 136 South Main (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 130 South Main (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Charles.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 276 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.