On November 30, 1803, Lewis and Clark camped just north of the Meramec River in what is now St. Louis County.
Meramec River
A huge crowd turned out to dedicate the new Route 66 bridge over the Meramec at Fenton. The bottle of pre-prohibition champagne set aside for the Christening turned up missing before the ceremony.
A French missionary, Father Gravier, noted in his journal, “Discovered the river Mirameguoua, where the rich lead mine is situated, 12 or 13 leagues from its mouth.” Today we refer to that river as the Meramec. “Meramec” (Mirameguoua) is an Osage word meaning catfish.
Plans were unveiled for damming and developing the Meramec River Valley. This began a 28-year battle to stop the plan and save the valley
