The Race Between the Ships “Robert E. Lee” and “Natchez” Concludes: July 4, 1870
The race between the famous riverboats Robert E. Lee and Natchez was concluded on this date when the Robert E. Lee pulled into St. Louis about seven hours ahead of the Natchez.
December 28, 1848
The steamboat Amaranth arrived in St. Louis carrying cholera. The city was bulging with people waiting for Spring so they could head west in the 1849 Gold Rush. The cholera spread quickly and one out of every ten people in the city died.