St. Louis History

Online guide to St. Louis sources in the History and Genealogy Department.

St. Louis Public Library maintains many local archival and historical collections. Browse by subject or click A-Z for the entire list.

Founded in 1846, the Mercantile is the oldest library west of the Mississippi. It is now housed inside the Thomas Jefferson Library at University of Missouri, St. Louis.

Bibliography of major sources for St. Louis history in the Mercantile and UMSL libraries, with some links to outside sources.

In addition to the Missouri History Museum, the Missouri Historical Society maintains research collections containing unique regional history sources and objects documenting St. Louis, Missouri, the Mississippi and Missouri Valleys, the Louisiana Purchase Territory and the American West.

The State Historical Society of Missouri's online index to:
St. Louis Missouri Argus, 1835-1840
St. Louis Missouri Gazette, 1808-1822
St. Louis Missouri Republican, 1822-1828
The newspapers are not available online. Researchers may request copies of articles from the State Historical Society. Researchers may also visit the Newspaper Library or borrow microfilm through Interlibrary Loan.

"More than 9 million records can be accessed through Missouri Digital Heritage, including the collections of the Missouri State Archives, the Missouri State Library and other institutions from across the state." Includes digital images of historic photographs and primary documents.

Photographs, documents, and other artifacts relating to the history of the St. Louis region and Missouri.

The blog highlights specific online collections and exhibits.