Brief History of Soulard

On February 10, 1841: Julia Soulard begins giving land to the City of St. Louis for use as a public market.

The story of the oldest public market west of the Mississippi isn’t just about fresh produce and local commerce; it’s a saga of colonial land grants, a decades-long legal battle, and the enduring vision of a widow named Julia Soulard.

A Wedding Gift from the Spanish Crown

The roots of the Soulard neighborhood stretch back to the late 1700s. The story begins with a high-society union between Antoine Soulard, a French surveyor, and Julia Cerré.

Julia’s father, Gabriel Cerré, was a wealthy merchant who had been granted a massive tract of land by the Spanish government. Upon their marriage, Cerré gifted a portion of this estate to his new son-in-law—a plot that would eventually become the heart of South St. Louis.

The Fight for the Land

History, however, rarely moves in a straight line. Following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the transition from Spanish to American rule threw land titles into chaos. The Soulard family found themselves embroiled in a grueling legal dispute with the U.S. government that lasted for decades.

Tragically, Antoine died before the case was settled, leaving Julia to fight the legal battle alone. She eventually prevailed, with the courts finally recognizing her as the rightful owner of the vast estate.

A Gift to the City

In 1841, Julia Soulard made a move that would define the neighborhood’s character forever. She donated two city blocks to the city of St. Louis with one strict condition: the land must forever serve as a public farmer’s market.

“I give this land… provided that it shall be used for a market house and for no other purpose.” — The spirit of Julia Soulard’s 1841 deed.

Soulard Market Today

Julia’s vision has remained unbroken for nearly two centuries. Today, the Soulard Farmers Market stands as a vibrant testament to that original deed. It remains a cornerstone of St. Louis culture, operating as a bustling hub for vendors and locals alike—just as Julia intended when she signed over those two blocks 185 years ago.

Soulard and Mardi Gras

The area is known today as the home of one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations in the world. That part of the story reportedly dates to 1980. The story begins with five men who were bored during a cold St. Louis winter.

Hilary Clements, Bob Brinkmann, James Rabbitt, Bill Stubbs, and Bill Coleman were simply trying to find a way to liven things up. They came up with the idea to have their own Mardi Gras celebration. They started their party in the building at 1017 Russell Boulevard in Soulard, which is where Johnny’s Restaurant and Bar now stands. The group led a walk to McGurk’s Irish Pub at 12th and Russell blowing horns with plenty of alcohol flowing. Now, decades later, millions of people have made their way down to Soulard to celebrate Mardi Gras, St. Louis style.

Soulard History is alive and well south of downtown St. Louis!