St. Charles, Missouri, on the Missouri River just north of St. Louis, is a crossroads of American history. During its history it has been home to Indians, Spanish adventurers, French trappers, and missionaries, American trail blazers, German burghers, territorial legislators, slaves, abolitionists, Confederate rebels, and a variety of entrepreneurs. It packs a wealth of history in the few square blocks of its Old Town. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark boarded their massive keelboat here to open the American West. Dozens of its historic brick buildings still stand, expertly restored, and many are open for business. This charming, pocket-sized book relates the fascinating history of St. Charles, and the Appendix offers a comprehensive tour of historic Old Town.