Jefferson City History Facts and Timeline

(Jefferson City, Missouri - MO, USA)

The rich history of Jefferson City dates back to prehistoric times, over 7,000 years ago, when the region was home to a sizeable settlement of people. This group were known as 'Mound Builders', since they regularly constructed large mounds of earth for burial sites or religious purposes.

In the latter part of the 18th century, the earliest European settlers began to arrive from New France (Canada). Some chose to set up base in the very spot where Jefferson City stands today, due to its convenient riverside situation.

A very small and rather insignificant community grew up on the southern banks of the Missouri River. St. Louis, roughly 130 miles / 209 km to the east, was the preferred choice for most immigrants coming to Missouri. Today, St. Louis remains a much larger city, with a population exceeding 350,000 people, although its location in the state is far less central than Jefferson City.

The Organization of Missouri, Capitals and Earthquakes

The year of 1812 marks a particularly noteworthy date in the history of both Jefferson City and Missouri as a whole, since it was during this year that the territory of Missouri was organized. St. Louis was chosen to be the seat of the territory's government, while its neighbor St. Charles served as the official territorial capital.

In this same year, the New Madrid Earthquakes shook parts of Missouri, causing much damage, although since the overall population was relatively sparse, there were few casualties.

At this stage in Missouri history, Jefferson City was nothing more than a simple trading post referred to as 'Lohman's Landing'. However, its central location in the heart of the state, part-way between Kansas City (west) and St. Louis (east), had not gone unnoticed and soon Jefferson City began to get more attention.

In 1821, the Missouri government decided that Jefferson City would be a much more logical choice for the capital of Missouri than St. Charles, on the eastern boundary. Lohman's Landing also had the advantage of having little in the way of infrastructure, meaning that it would be easy to layout an attractive and organized city. It therefore became the next state capital, being renamed after former US president, Thomas Jefferson, rather than the proposed name 'Missouriopolis'.

Growth and Famous Prisoners

During the following few years, growth of Jefferson City was surprisingly slow for a state capital. However, in the year 1826, the Missouri legislature began meeting here and in the following decade, the 'village' was officially incorporated as a city and a relatively grand State Capitol Building was soon completed.

A state prison came into being in the 1830s, which was known as the Missouri State Penitentiary. Over the years, many infamous American criminals called this prison their home, such as James Earl Ray, the man who famously assassinated Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968.

Three State Capitol Buildings

Jefferson City's very first State Capitol Building was relatively short-lived, since it burned to the ground in 1837, just 11 years after being built.

A second, more impressive Capitol was immediately commissioned and opened for government business as soon as 1840. It managed to last much longer, although after being struck by a bolt of lightning in 1911, it was again destroyed by fire. Jefferson City's present-day Missouri State Capitol dates from 1917 and was built at the cost of almost US$4.5 million. Right next-door is the Governor's Mansion, which has stood here since 1871 and is separated by a landscaped garden.

Mid-20th Century Onwards

Following the two World Wars and the Great Depression, Jefferson City continued to expand, attracting county folk and farmers who were looking for city life. Hospitals and schools continued to be built, to meet the growing demand, and German immigrants began to set up vineyards on the outskirts of the city, especially around the north and the easterly suburb of Marthasville.

Important dates in Jefferson history during the latter part of the 20th century include the opening of the Rex M. Whitten Expressway in the 1960s, the John G. Christy Municipal Building in 1983, and a major flood in 1993. For more information about the history of Jefferson City, a visit to the Missouri State Museum, on the first floor of the Capitol Building is in order, where the Missouri Veterans Gallery (opened in 2007) is a particular highlight, with its extensive military related exhibits.