It had been more than three decades since the French Settlers moved to the area. Others had followed, setting up camps and mines. Now two men stood on a hill overlooking the Mississippi River. One turned to the other and said he thought this place, too, would be a good place for a trading post or town. The trading post came first. Then the town was built around it. Today that town is the second oldest permanent settlement in Missouri.

AUDIO: AOWM Feburary 15, 2005 (mp3)