St. Charles County Historical Society

Housed in the historic Old City Hall building, the St. Charles County Historical Society was founded in 1956. Its mission is to preserve the history of the county, particularly local genealogical records which are stored in the society's archives. Other materials in the collection include photographs, circuit court records, and business records. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building was constructed in 1886 and is the second structure at this location; the first, which was built in 1823 and called the Market and Fish House, was torn down.

The Old City Hall building is significant for its association with the city's civic and commercial life. As stated above, the previous building was a thriving hub of economic activity where local farmers and merchants could sell their goods. It was also used as a social gathering place, and the St. Charles Board of Trustees, which governed St. Charles before it was incorporated as a city in 1849, met here. The 1832 building, which was expanded in 1832, stood until 1886 after the City Council rejected several proposals to renovate it. The new building was used until 1973 when a new City Hall building was erected. The St. Charles County Historical Society bought the Old City Hall building in 1982.

Cameron, Janice R. "Old City Hall." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. November 14, 1980. https://dnr.mo.gov/shpo/nps-nr/80004367.pdf.

"History of Our Building." St. Charles County Historical Society. Accessed June 20, 2019.  https://scchs.org/cpage.php?pt=29.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_City_Hall_(St._Charles,_Missouri)#/media/File:St._Charles_-_Old_City_Hall.jpg