Missouri’s Oldest City is Much Much Older than Even America

Before America declared its independence, there was already a city in Missouri. As a matter of fact, the first settlement in Missouri predates the founding of this country by almost five decades.

No, this is not a pop quiz about history. It's a reminder that Missouri is chock full of historical places and people. Often you'll see people searching online for the oldest city in a state. When it comes to Missouri, you have to go back to the year 1735 when French colonists settled a place that retains much of its original flavor today.

If it isn't already obvious to you, the place I'm referring to is Ste. Genevieve, Missouri which was founded in 1735. Some would argue that the city or at least the area dates back much further than that as Native Americans resided in this part of Missouri for a thousand years.

You won't see many churches in Missouri more majestic than this one that is in Ste. Genevieve.

Wikipedia says that Ste. Genevieve, Missouri actually helped keep New Orleans alive and eventually flourish as crops were grown in the area including tobacco that was sent south on ships.

It remains a small town with barely 5,000 (maybe less) recorded in the last census. Great efforts are made to maintain and protect the French Colonial architecture that was a part of the origins of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. It's the one place in the state that can rightfully say it's older than America and proud of it.