Prior to the arrival of French explorers, St. Louis was a major center of the Mississippian Mound Builders, earning itself the nickname of “Mound City.” Centuries later Westward Expansion and convenience to the Mississippi River during the Steamboat Era, changed St. Louis into “the Gateway to the West.”
St. Louis sits along the Mississippi River and acts as what most refer to as the crossroads of the United States. It is most commonly known for the iconic Gateway Arch, but the city has also been popularized by its storied history of great ragtime, jazz and blues music.
A background comprised of Native American, French and German roots, has contributed to the rich cultural mix of this city. It has evolved into a cosmopolitan area with fabulous restaurants, dynamic hotels, active nightlife and several major sports teams.
