The Whirls and Swirls of History

Most of Soulard Market's history was peaceful, but there were exceptional moments. The 1850's were a violent decade by 19th century standards; many bad feelings were generated by the festering issues of slavery and states' rights.

In St. Louis, the burgeoning German immigrant population sided fervently with the abolitionist North, while most of the Americans and French were Southern sympathizers. During mayoral election day in April 1852, some German men began preventing, by the threat of bodily harm, the presumed opposition from voting at the Soulard Market polling place.

Word quickly spread of this action, which enraged the American population. A mob of 5,000 Americans moved through the streets that afternoon toward the market. They were greeted by firsts, rocks, brickbats, and even gunshots, but 200 or so of the Americans broke through and seized the Soulard Market poll with shouts of "Free suffrage!". The violence lasted into the night; persons were killed and a nearby tavern was set ablaze.

During the Civil War years, the local military commander declared marital law throughout the city. The grounds of Soulard Market were pressed into duty as a military encampment of pro-Union, German homeguards, charged with enforcing martial law. There were no incidents at the Market during the war.

In 1877 the upstairs hall became quarters of the (Presbyterian) Soulard Market Mission. This was one of several religious missions which located themselves on the near south side area, offering spiritual and sociological services to the German, Czech, Slovak, Croatian, and Lebanese immigrants. The mission's services proved invaluable: one 19th century Police chief declared, "The restraining influence of the Soulard Market Mission is worth one hundred policemen a year to that part of the city." The mission remained at Soulard Market until mid 1896, when storm damage forced the group to build a new facility at Menard and Julia Street, a building which still stands today as renovated office space.