Series: The History of Slavery in St. Louis

The famous Black abolitionist William Wells Brown once remarked that "no part of our slave-holding country is more noted for the barbarity of its inhabitants than St. Louis." This exhibit aims to tell the story of slavery in St. Louis through the use of primary source documents, historic images, and individual stories of enslavement. Read stories from nine different banners that were created as part of this exhibit. They cover the founding of St. Louis in 1764 to the Reconstruction era.

  • Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

    Article 1: A Society Built Upon Enslaved Labor

    Photograph of the St. Louis riverfront in 1852. Steamboats are docked on the Mississippi River.

    The institution of slavery existed in St. Louis for 100 years. Free and enslaved Black people were present alongside French settlers Auguste Choteau and Pierre Laclede at the founding of St. Louis in 1764. Read more

  • Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

    Article 2: The Code Noir and the Missouri Compromise

    Book published in 1743 with the title

    From 1764 until the early 1800s, St. Louis was governed by the French and Spanish. After the Louisiana purchase was completed in 1803, the United States assumed governance of what would become the state of Missouri. All three forms of government regulated and protected the institution of slavery. Read more

  • Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

    Article 3: Slavery and the Law

    Black and White Photo of a courthouse with a large dome under construction in 1851.

    The Missouri State Legislature worked to define who could be considered "Black" under state law. They also passed a series of laws circumscribing the rights of Black Missourians while working to strengthen the institution of slavery. Despite these challenges, enslaved people worked to assert their freedom by trying to use the legal system to their advantage. Read more

  • Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

    Article 4: The Slave Trade in St. Louis

    Group of 17 men standing in front of a wood frame building.

    From 1850 to 1860, St. Louis's enslaved population decreased by about 1,600 people. Part of the reason for this decrease was the expansion of slave trade in St. Louis, particularly Bernard Lynch's slave trading business at 5th and Myrtle streets. Read more

  • Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

    Article 5: Resisting Slavery

    Lithograph drawing of an enslaved freedom seeker carrying a pouch and running towards freedom.

    Enslaved people used a number of different strategies to resist slavery and seek freedom. Read about the ways enslaved people in St. Louis fought for their freedom in this article. Read more

  • Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

    Article 6: Free People of Color in St. Louis

    Colorized photo of African American woman in the 1850s wearing a large dress and holding a book.

    In the years leading up to the Civil War, between 1,500 and 2,100 free Black Americans called St. Louis home. While free, they endured poor working conditions, limited rights, and racial discrimination. Read more

  • Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

    Article 7: The Civil War and Emancipation in St. Louis

    African American Civil War soldier posing with two weapons in front of a military backdrop.

    Roughly 3,700 African American Black men from Missouri, most of whom were enslaved, served in United States Colored Troops (USCT) regiments during the Civil War. Many of them were stationed at Benton Barracks in North St. Louis. Read more

  • Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

    Article 8: Black Life in St. Louis During Reconstruction

    Bearded man wearing suit and tie.

    The transition from slavery to freedom for St. Louis's Black population saw area residents fighting to end racial discrimination in voting, education, and public transportation. Civil Rights leaders like James Milton Turner (pictured) Charlton Tandy, and Caroline Williams led the way. Read more

  • Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

    Article 9: Reckoning with Slavery's Legacy in St. Louis

    Statue of Dred and Harriet Scott looking towards the Gateway Arch.

    The history of slavery in St. Louis has not been studied by scholars or commemorated by society with the attention that it deserves. Where do we go from here? Read more

  • Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

    Article 10: Transcription of "The Code Noir" (The Black Code)

    Book from 1743 with a depiction of a French African Man and text that reads

    The Code Noir regulated slavery and the rights of Black subjects--both free and enslaved--within the French Empire during the 17th and 18th centuries. The Code Noir was also enforced in St. Louis during French and Spanish rule of the city. A full translation and transcription of the Code Noir is published here. Read more

  • Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

    Article 11: United States Census Slave Schedule for St. Louis County, 1850

    Lithographic drawing of an enslaved man running away to freedom.

    This page features a full transcription of the 1850 United States Census Slave Schedule for St. Louis County. The spreadsheet is available in a downloadable format for researchers. Read more

  • Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

    Article 12: United States Census Slave Schedule for St. Louis County, 1860

    Black and white illustration of an enslaved African American man running away from slavery.

    This page features a full transcription of the 1860 United States Census Slave Schedule for St. Louis County. The spreadsheet is available in a downloadable format for researchers. Read more

  • Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

    Article 13: Further Reading on Slavery in St. Louis and Missouri

    Text of an 1847 law banning the teaching of reading and writing for Black Missourians.

    This resource page offers additional primary and secondary sources on the history of slavery in St. Louis and the state of Missouri more broadly. Read more

Tags: african american heritage civil rights reconstruction era slavery abolition ulysses s grant national historic site underground railroad