Saint Joseph, Missouri

Saint Joseph is a city located in Buchanan County, Missouri. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 73,990. It is the county seat of Buchanan County{{GR|6}}. Saint Joseph is also home to Missouri Western State University.

History

Saint Joseph was founded by Joseph Robidoux, a local fur trader, and officially incorporated in 1843. In its early days, it was a bustling outpost and rough frontier town, serving as a last supply point and jumping off point over the Missouri River toward the "Wild West", this due largely to the fact that it was the westernmost point in the US accessible by rail until after the Civil War.

Related Topics:
Joseph Robidoux - Fur trader - 1843 - Missouri River - "Wild West" - Civil War

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Several events of particular historical note occurred in Saint Joseph. Between April 3, 1860, and late October 1861, Saint Joseph was one of the two endpoints of the Pony Express. In 1882, also on April 3, the notorious Jesse James was assassinated. These two events lend Saint Joseph the slogan, "Where the Pony Express started and Jesse James ended."

Related Topics:
Pony Express - Jesse James

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In 1997, St. Joseph was named an "All-America City" by the National Civic League. http://www.ncl.org/aac/past_winners/past_winners.html

Related Topics:
All-America City - National Civic League

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