Downtown in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Western Reach of the Revolution
Gateway Arch National Park
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Jason Voigt, February 11, 2026
1. Western Reach of the Revolution Marker
The Battle of Fort San Carlos was the westernmost battle of the American Revolution. On May 26, 1780, about 300 townspeople, including Spanish soldiers, French settlers, and enslaved and free African Americans rallied to defend St. Louis. In front of you, along what is now Fourth Street, they had prepared a mile-long trench circling the colonial town.
The town's greatest weapons were the cannons atop the Fort San Carlos tower. The allied British and American Indian forces, traveling from the Upper Midwest, were intent on gaining western territory. Although they were outnumbered two to one, the townspeople stopped the raid, preventing the British from taking control of the Mississippi River.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is May 26, 1780.
Location. 38° 37.546′ N, 90° 11.307′ W. Marker is in St. Louis, Missouri. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of North 4th Street and Chestnut Street, on the right when traveling north on North 4th Street. Marker is located on the sidewalk, directly across 4th Street
this page online
Regionally, this marker is 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, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Old Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Dred and Harriet Scott (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Sold on the Steps of Justice (within shouting distance of this marker); International Fur Exchange (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Abraham Lincoln Slept Here (about 300 feet away); Site of the Democratic National Convention of 1876 (about 300 feet away); KMOX (about 300 feet away); La Rue Missouri (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Louis.
Other markers no longer nearby. Western Reach of the Revolution (has been replaced with this marker); Joseph Pulitzer (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Sold on the Steps of Justice (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. This replaced an older marker with Jefferson National Expansion Memorial as the subtitle (the park was re-named Gateway Arch National Park in 2018).
Also see . . .
Photographed by Jason Voigt, February 11, 2026
2. Western Reach of the Revolution Marker
Marker is across the street from the Old Courthouse.
1. Gateway Arch National Park on Wikipedia. (Submitted on February 11, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
2. Gateway Arch National Memorial (National Park Service). (Submitted on February 11, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 61 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 11, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
