Historic Sites
Welcome to Jefferson City's History!
Download Historic Tours Brochure!Jefferson City, An American Journey
What city better captures and symbolizes the spirit and essence of the American Experience? It was the backdrop of one of America's greatest stories - The Lewis and Clark Expedition. It derives its name from one of America's greatest Presidents. It was an early frontier town on America's expansion westward. It is a capital city of one of the heartland's greatest states.
Above engraving shows Union troops entering Jefferson City, 1861.
The Capitol building is a close rendition of our nation's capitol. Over the course of time it has seen riverboats, settlers, immigrants, the iron-horse, Confederate and Union soldiers, the James Gang, WPA workers, war heroes, presidents and foreign leaders. As you browse through our colorful historic sites, we ask you to think of another place that typifies the history, struggles and enduring qualities of our great nation like Jefferson City.
From its very beginning, the story of Jefferson City is like that of an American hero. The city, when it had just a handful of settlers and a saloon, was selected by the new state government to become the state's capital. (because the location had to be within 40 miles of the confluence of the Osage River.)
But prosperity didn't come quickly. In those early years before the Civil War, many wondered if the city should remain the capital. Rail service suffered financial and catastrophic setbacks. German immigrants, who eventually transformed the town, initially brought disease. Union soldiers would have to seize the Capital City. Later, the Confederates attempted to take it back.
The Civil War ended but the struggle didn't. For years Sedalia repeatedly made bids to move the state government. Doubt about Jefferson City grew. Through determination the city would prevail. After years of struggle, survival and conquest - Jefferson City is the proud state capital.
The city flourished and grew. And in its wake left dozens of historic sites. From the homes and stores of humble shop owners determined to build a future to the grand institutions that govern this great state, Jefferson City has a proud history to show.
The Civil War, A State Divided
On June 20, 1861, Union General Nathanial Lyon led two companies of the Blair Regiment and a battery of artillery down High Street to the cheers of the recently 'liberated' citizens.
Secession Crisis and the
Union-led 'Coup de tat,' 1861
At the start of 1861, southern states began seceding from the Union. Missouri addressed that question in a convention chaired by Sterling Price in Jefferson City, and then in St. Louis. In March 1861, the vote was in favor of staying in the Union by a large margin. After the attack on Ft. Sumter on April 12, 1861, President Lincoln calls for four regiments from Missouri to suppress the rebellion. Governor Claiborne Jackson refuses calling the war an 'unholy crusade.'
U.S. Army Captain Lyon, helped by Congressman Frank Blair, raises five regiments comprised mostly of idealistic German immigrants. Pro-Confederacy units are also raised. Both sides start training troops in St. Louis - each side eyeing the city's two armories. Eventually, both sides seize an armory. Lyon's reaction results in violence and innocent civilians lie dead.
Meanwhile, the negotiations in St. Louis for peace fail and Governor Jackson and Price take the train back to Jefferson City and burn the railroad bridges behind them. Prices is named head of the Missouri State Guard. Knowing that Lyon's well trained and equipped regiments will be steaming up the Missouri River, Price and the Governor exit the capital city for Booneville to recruit, train and organize the new Missouri State Guard in Missouri's 'Little Dixie counties.' When Lyon's regiments arrive on steamboats, they take over the city without firing a shot. Prisoners are lodged in the dungeon-like basement of the Capitol.
In July, the State Convention (without Price) meets in Jefferson City and replaces the entire state government, naming Hamilton Gamble as the acting Governor. Former Governor Jackson and Lt. Governor Reynolds become Missouri's government-in-exile.
The war in Missouri was about to begin in earnest. Sterling Price, who played a large part in the drama as statesman, returns to Jefferson City in 1864 as a warrior.