Louisiana
Louisiana, early Mississippi river port, known for the
Delicious apple developed here and grown through the world, was settled, in
1817, when John Bryson pre-empted land near the confluence of the river and Noix
Creek. A year later Samuel Caldwell and Joel Shaw from Kentucky founded
the town on land bought from Bryson.
The Pioneer Stark cabin was moved here from the nearby hill,
restored and opened as a museum, 1952, to honor Horticulturist James Hart Stark
who built the cabin.1 The orchard he planted, 1816, with grafted scions brought
from the family's Kentucky orchard considered the first of grafted apple trees
west of the Alleghenies, has become known under his descendents as one of the
oldest and largest commercial nurseries in the world. Here are carried on
many of Luther Burbank's experiments. The Stark Nursery obtained first
patent granted a fruit, 1934.
Settlers were in the general vicinity of Louisiana as early
as 1810 and some 2 miles southeast a D.A.R. monument marks the site of Buffalo
Fort here 15 families took refuge during the War of 1812.
Prominent supply stop for pioneers to the Salt River Country,
the city flourished as a river port until the coming of the railroads, Louisiana
early became a trade and industrial center.
Laid out the year Pike Co. was organized the town served as
country seat until 1824.2 Centrally located Bowling Green succeeded as
county seat. The slang term "Pike" or "Piker" derives from this county and
came into use to identify natives of the region who joined the '49 Gold Rush.
The county is named for Explorer Zebulon M. Pike.
Here lived Lloyd C. Stark, Governor of Missouri, 1937-1941.
John B. Henderson (1826-1913), U.S. Senator, promoter of the 13th and 15th
Constitutional Amendments, had law offices here. Champ Clark (1850-1921),
Speaker of U.S. House of Representatives, had law offices and taught here before
making his home in nearby Bowling Green. Scientist R.R. Rowley (1854-1934)
taught here.
The third Missouri railroad bridge across the Mississippi
opened, 1873. Champ Clark Highway Bridge was dedicated, 1928
Erected by State Historical Society of Missouri and State
Highway Commission, 1953
Text of marker