The exact date of the first settlers is unknown, but Florissant is one of the oldest settlements in the state of Missouri. Some historians believe it was settled about the same time as St. Louis.

The first civil government was formed in 1786 by the Spanish with archives in Havana revealing the population at 40, and seven plantations in Florissant at the time of the 1787 census.

The village, called “Fleurissant,” or “Blooming” in English, by its French settlers and “St. Ferdinand” by its Spanish rulers, was a typical French village with its commons and common fields, originally a separate town, and now an inner suburb of St. Louis.  As late as 1889, the town was predominantly French-speaking, while the southern portion was populated by German-speakers.

Old Town Florissant is the historic district of Florissant and has maintained a lovely vintage charm.  Old Town Florissant is filled with century homes, businesses, restaurants, and shops housed in historic buildings along tree lined streets.  We invite you to spend the day with us, shopping, dining and enjoying shady parks and beautiful historic houses and churches.

FLORISSANT WALK THROUGH HISTORY GUIDE (pdf)

Historic Landmarks in Old Town Florissant

Old St. Ferdinand Shrine
#1 rue St. Francois
Florissant, MO 63031
oldstferdinandshrine.com

Old St. Ferdinand Shrine is the oldest Catholic Church building between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains.  St. Rose Phillipine Duchesne, one of Missouri’s foremost pioneer women, established the first school in Florissant.  She lived in the convent fro 1819 – 1827 and again from 1834 – 1940.  She was canonized on July 3rd, 1988.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
751 N. Jefferson
Florissant, MO 63031
sacredheartflorissant.org

Original building was built in 1866 for the German speaking families in Florissant and served as a school and convent. Church was also built and was completed in 1867. Church museum is open the second Sunday of each month. 10-2pm.

Spanish Land Grant Park
701 St. Ferdinand St.
Florissant, MO 63031

A square bounded by St. Ferdinand, St. Denis, St. Charles and St Louis was the gift of the Spanish government to the Villagers for a church, burial and parade ground. Pioneer families lie here in unmarked graves.

Old Town Wedding Chapel c. 1895
646 rue St. Francois
Florissant, MO 63031

This was the first protestant Church in Florissant. It was known as the Union Church. Throughout the years is has served three denominations. The church is available for wedding and receptions.

314-831-9145

Taille De Noyer
1896 S. New Florissant Rd.
Florissant, MO 63031
florissantvalleyhs.com

Located on the McCluer High School campus. Although not in Old Town Florissant it has always been a part of the Florissant Valley area. It was the hunting lodge of John Mullanphy and later became the country home of Mullanphy’s descendants. The home is beautifully restored. Taille de Noyer is presently owned by the Florissant Historical Society.

John B. Myers House & Barn
108 Dunn Rd.
Florissant, MO 63031
facebook.com/pages/John-B-Myers-House-and-Barn/106018446095776

The original owners/builders of the Myers House were John B. and Adelaide Motten Myers. In 1867, Myers purchased fifty acres of land less than a mile south of the old French town of St. Ferdinand (now Florissant).  Myers House currently houses Weaving Dept, specializing in yarn, spinning fiber, knitting needles, crochet hooks, spinning wheels, weaving looms, knitting machines, books, and classes.

The Gittemeier House
1067 Dunn Rd.
Florissant, MO 63031
historicflorissant.com

Franz Gittemeier was born in Rebbeke, Westphalia, Germany in 1826 and immigrated to the United States in 1850. Gertrude Gerling was born in Prussia in April of 1833. She came to the United States in 1857 and may have been a ‘mail-order bride.’ Franz and Gertrude were married in Holy Trinity Church in St. Louis on September 25, 1858.

The Gittemeier House is currently housed by Historic Florissant Inc, a non-profit that holds archives, pictures, and other historical materials for the Florissant area.

Narrow Gauge Railroad Station Florissant
1060 St. Catherine St
Florissant MO  63031
facebook.com/florissantstation
youtu.be/eiwC67ENR3M

Buillt in 1878, the station was a connection between Florissant and St. Louis City.  It currently houses Mommy’s Design Farm, a sign painting craft busy that holds classes for everyone.