February 10, 1841

Julia Soulard begins giving land to the city of St. Louis for use as a public market. Ownership of those two blocks was put into question with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, but Julia was recognized as the owner after a decades-long dispute. The area gave rise to what today is Soulard Market.

Based upon content from the book Missouri 365: This Day in Missouri History by John W. Brown, broadcaster and Missouri historian. Get your copy at Reedy Press.

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From our archives: Read Missouri Life magazine’s story about what the Soulard neighborhood means to St. Louis—and the city’s nationally-known Mardi Gras celebration.