A major port on the Mississippi River for almost two centuries (with active steamboats since 1818), it was once the fourth largest city in the USA and the gateway to the western territory to the United States after the Louisiana Purchase.  Steamboats have been   One hundred and ten years ago it hosted the World’s Fair and the summer olympics as the first non-European city to do so. The World’s Fair gave St. Louis it’s Forst Park, Art Museum, History Museum, and Zoo.  It may no longer be in the top 50 cities by population size in the US, but it’s history as an important trade nexus should not be forgotten.